Early Season Impressions
The 2020-2021 is very young and no conclusions can be reached at yet but the landscape is different and seems unpredictable. Early indications across Europe are that surprises are possible. Both Bayern Munich and Manchester City suffered heavy losses and goals per game are up across the continent. Milan have won the first two matches of a new season without conceding for the first time in 18 years. Can this be a season where Milan not only continue the hot streak but actually benefit from the less familiar surroundings?
New comers like Crotone will still struggle in order to beat the drop but life at the top of the table could be less conventional. All this comes with a cautious note of not forgetting that the pandemic is still on and has entered a possibly more dangerous phase. News of multiple Genoa players and staff testing positive for the Coronavirus adds to the fears and numbers that are rising across much of the world. Ibra and Duarte are just two Milan players currently in isolation and Leao just returned to the squad from the same. Gaining as many points as possible now will serve all teams well later even more in case the season is an interrupted one again.
On the injury front the news about Rebic’s injury is positive as he did not fracture a bone or tear any nerves or muscles The Croat, who looks to be more effective on the left wing than the front, could be back in as little as two weeks.
The team is chasing as many transfer targets as it can afford to add depth and quality. The Norwegian Jens Petter Hauge is set to be one such addition despite some earlier denials. The young player can move the between the lines and provide an alternative for Pioli much in the same way that Tonali and Diaz do. There is however little to note of departures. Any departure will add funds to the budget and with less than one week to the window closing Paqueta’s certain departure is the only one in the news. His exit will add some much needed funds for a center back or perhaps the right wing. The fixture list is full with yet another round to go before a possible place in Europa League’s group stage. This weakened team travels to Portugal’s north to visit Rio Ave before facing Spezia in another hopefully winnable game. The consequent weeks will feature the derby and bigger teams. It is is hoped that by that time most absentees, including Romagnoli, would have returned to the pitch. It should be noted that Kessie and Calhanoglu seem to be their improved selves and have played very well in this very young season.
In the final days of the transfer window follow the discussion on the forum.