Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

16

Maignan

2

Calabria

13

Romagnoli

23

Tomori

19

Hernandez

79

Kessié

8

Tonali

25

Florenzi

10

Díaz

17

Leão

12

Rebić

Substitutes

A dominant first half versus Cagliari made for a big and important 4-1 win heading into a busy international break. Milan’s relatively few capped players faced a grueling schedule with some three matches in two weeks. FIFA is cramming as many 2022 World Cup qualifying matches as possible in order to finish the pandemic enforced delayed games. Not every player played all minutes of course. National team coaches are forced into line up changes to rest players. Nevertheless the full schedules has affected player availability.

One such player is Saelemaekers. The Belgian played 183 minutes across three matches for Belgium and may be rested for this week 3 match. Florenzi is tipped to start in his place. The Italian played 64 minutes in one of Azzurri’s matches and made an error leading to a goal. In the international break Giroud tested positive for COVID-19 and has been self isolating. He was cleared only one day before facing Lazio and may be on the bench. Ibra is back in the squad after months out so Rebic is the likely starter. The same is said about Kjaer. The Danish likely needs a rest too and therefore Romagnoli could get the start alongside Tomori.

Calabria and Hernandez should be the full backs completing the defense in front of Maignan.

Elsewhere on the pitch Bennacer may start on the bench allowing a Kessie and Tonali tandem. Kessie is another injured returnee and his contract is turning into a saga and one that has angered many. Diaz and Leao will be other attacking players.

Like Milan, Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio have won their first two games. A relatively healthy squad of course features Ciro Immobile. The forward is doing well again, unlike when with the Azzurri. New Lazio player Mattia Zaccagni has had a good start following a loan from Verona.

Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.

The summer 2021 transfer window is now shut and Milan while active left some question marks for all observers and fans.

The window started earlier than most would have expected with Mike Maignan’s arrival as a replacement for the departing Donnarumma. The goalkeeper left on a free and chose to, at least for now, occupy the bench at PSG. Not getting a fee for the Euro 2020 player of the tournament and Calhanoglu – who departed to Inter – was to affect transfer business.

As is the case every transfer window Milan were linked with a whole host of players. From James Rodriguez to to Romain Faivre to Warren Bondo all were apparently close to joining Milan. Sometimes the fee was deemed too expensive, sometimes the wages. The pattern was always trying to get a player on the cheap, discount or on loan. Aided by numerous commercial deals Milan led by Ivan Gazidis was halving their losses but Inter’s troubles sent warning signs to all that even with Champions League participation all is not guaranteed. One could argue that Inter’s problems were exceptions as they are dealing with Chinese government’s whims but it is of course obvious that the pandemic and business climate in general makes it difficult for all those in living in the real world – not PSG apparently – to remain healthy financially.

When opportunities were found Milan were able to pounce. Ballo-Toure was one such and the left back is now Theo’s back up. When Pellegri was made available from Monaco a loan was quickly arranged for the oft injured but highly rated forward. Giroud’s apparent willingness to join facilitated a deal. A deal that should have been a free transfer but a small fee was a good price to pay for a veteran winning forward on a team lacking depth. A similar argument landed Florenzi from Roma. However the player’s position raised some question marks. The right wing featuring Saelemaekers and Castillejo had been begging for an upgrade but was the Italian to be an option there or is he is to play further back and support Calabria? Early signs point to the 30 years old as being a more attacking option.

Yacine Adli was a name that surfaced later in the window. The Bordeaux midfielder is said to be suited to both a central spot and an attacking spot. In any event he did sign a long term contract but returned to Bordeaux for one year. Also late in the window Bakayoko made a return to Milan. The Frenchman arrived on a two year loan. His relative long term loan gives the team some cushion and depth for midfield that may lose a big piece, more on that below.

As most were hoping against hope for at least one big signing for the central or right attacking spots names like Berardi, Vlasic, Ziyech and others came and went with the too expensive tag. The team secured a further two year loan for Diaz but the is he to be the backup or starter? In the last hours of the window the attention shifted to Junior Messias. Certainly not a big name and certainly not what most expected. Not only in age but also in experience the Brazilian is not the most typical Milan signing. The attacking player, at 30, has one year of top flight experience. He did well with the to be relegated Crotone last season and his story of arriving late to professional football, playing in Serie D as recently as 2018 and spending time delivering washing machines just a few short years ago is inspiring. If he delivers on the big stage his name will enter football folklore.

Player Summary

Name:

Junior Messias

Date of Birth:

May 13, 1991

Age:

30

Height:

1.79 m

Citizenship:

Brazil

Position:

Midfielder

Foot:

Left

Agency:

None

Ownership:

AC Milan

Contract Expires:

Jun 30, 2022

Current Club:

AC Milan

Joined:

Aug 31, 2021

The window began with Tomori’s loan converted to a buy, the near €30 million fee took up a big slice of the transfer budget. Tonali’s loan and obligation was then negotiated down and the player even took a pay cut to remain with his boyhood club. The aforementioned Diaz gave Milan a number 10 player.

The window ended with more question marks on exits and contracts. Castillejo was linked to the likes of Real Betis and Getafe but he ended up remaining. Conti ended up remaining as well. The two with ‘too high’ wages remain unaffordable to most other teams and remain a burden on Milan’s payroll. However it could be argued that Milan have two bigger problems on their hands. Romagnoli and Kessie have expiring contracts and they could, much like Donnarumma and Calhanoglu, leave on free transfers next summer. There was practically no news or whispers about Romagnoli’s status. Kessie on the other hand seemed to be demanding more every other day and it led to Maldini hinting at an exit for the Ivorian. Now that the window has closed and the two are free to sign precontracts with other teams on January 1st the team must find a solution and very soon.

Fans on sites and social media remain divided on a grade for this transfer window. On the pitch the team is showing signs of remaining a scudetto contender. The added challenge of Champions League football will certainly test the team and fans’ attitude.

Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

16

Maignan

2

Calabria

24

Kjær

23

Tomori

19

Hernandez

4

Bennacer

8

Tonali

56

Saelemaekers

10

Díaz

17

Leão

9

Giroud

Substitutes

Week 1’s one 1-0 win at Sampdoria didn’t provide too many surprises. The team did well but but there was little in the sense of new revelations in tactics or approach. There were flashes from the likes of Leao and Tonali. Giroud somewhat misfired. Maignan had couple of heart in mouth moments but was very solid otherwise. Tomori was a wall. Calabria, as captain, continued where he had left off last season. Theo was still being individualistic and when passing or attempting a final shot was way ward. Krunic’s start was explained with that Bennacer was not fully ready. Florenzi made his Milan debut. Diaz started in excellent form and scored the only goal of the match. One late sub caught the eye. Romagnoli came on for Calabria with mere minutes left and the two players exchanged the captain’s armband. Despite continuous rumours little has been said about the status of Romagnoli. The team can not risk losing him for free next summer but will he even want to stay as a full or part time bench player. The management have lots to do in the final days of the window having also been given another headache in the form of Kessie’s apparently high demands.

The starting line up versus Cagliari is not expected to differ much from the norm, perhaps Bennacer will regain his starting spot in Krunic’s place. Pioli was very complementary of the Bosnian in the news conference leading up to this week 2 match. Most fans would beg to differ.

Maignan seems to be good ball playing goalkeeper and the team will grow in confidence with him with more minutes and games together. There is little indication that the Tomori and Kjear partnership will be broken up so they will line up at the back. Kessie is working hard to return to the lineup but may end up leaving if his contract issue is not settled. His agent has asked for more than Milan are willing to offer and judging by how Maldini and co dealt with Donnarumma and Calhanoglu’s demands anything can happen. More depth may and frankly must be on it way for the right wing and central attacking midfield position but for this match Diaz, Leao and Saelemaekers will line up behind Giroud.

Cagliari opened the season with a 2-2 tie versus Spezia. Joao Pedro scored both of Rossoblu’s goals. Dalbert, Kevin Strootman and Diego Godin are few of other familiar names on the Sardinian team.

Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.

Starting Lineup: 4-2-3-1

16

Maignan

2

Calabria

24

Kjær

23

Tomori

19

Hernandez

8

Tonali

33

Krunić

56

Saelemaekers

10

Díaz

17

Leão

9

Giroud

Substitutes

Another season is here. The 2021-2022 Serie A season kicks off with a Monday evening visit to the Luigi Ferraris to play against the team that finished ninth last season. Claudio Ranieri stepped aside at the end of last season and now Sampdoria are led by ex Parma coach Roberto D’Aversa. Milan finished second last season and now face a barrage of fixtures that includes Champions League football for the first time in seven years.

The summer transfer window has been a busy one with a relatively high amount spent but with more to do with just over a week left before it shuts. A couple of spots remain unconvincing or at least ‘un-upgraded’. The right wing is the most glaring weakness and it remains a source of criticism and weakness. Saelemaekers provides commitment and usefulness but Castillejo not so much. Whether the latter leaves and is replaced with a higher class player will go a long way in painting a better picture for the season. The central attacking spot is entrusted to Brahim Diaz and his number 10 jersey, for now. Giroud was added and will provide know how and experience and judging by his recent and preseason form perhaps even more. Leao should be the semi regular left wing starter but Rebic lurks and ready to get the nod. Kessie and Bennacer will continue to provide the solidity and talent on the pitch but both look to be missing for week 1. The former played for his country at the postponed Tokyo Olympics and got injured on upon his return, he is likely out another 2 or 3 weeks. The latter was stricken by COVID and has returned to the squad but is probably not fully fit. That leaves Tonali and … Krunic. Pobega is still in the squad, although likely leaving on loan. Nevertheless Krunic is the probable starter here. The back four is largely unchanged with Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori and Theo hoping to continue where the team left off last season. Florenzi’s recent signature provides a solid option for right back or perhaps a bit further up. Maignan was one of the fastest Milan signings in memory, arriving right after last season ended. The French international looks to help fans forget the Donnarumma saga.

Sampdoria’s squad has not changed much during the summer and will be led by the 38 years old Fabio Quagliarella. Mikkel Damsgaard’s stock rose during the Euros and the winger will be a danger man for Sampdoria’s opposition this season.

Follow the match as it happens, on the forum.