AC Milan are grappling with a significant injury crisis as they prepare for their upcoming match against Hellas Verona. The situation has become increasingly dire, with key players sidelined, leaving head coach Paulo Fonseca with limited options in attack.
The latest updates reveal that Noah Okafor will be unavailable due to a calf injury sustained during a recent match against Genoa. His absence is expected to last for at least three to four weeks, effectively ending his 2024 season prematurely. Additionally, Yunus Musah will not recover in time for the game against Verona, where he could have played an unconventional role as an attacking midfielder. Musah is anticipated to return after Christmas for the crucial encounter against Roma.
With these injuries, Fonseca’s options are severely restricted. For the match on Friday, he will only have two wingers available: Samuel Chukwueze and Rafael Leao. The team lacks a traditional trequartista unless they choose to deploy Mattia Liberali in that position. Up front, Fonseca has three forwards at his disposal: Alvaro Morata, Tammy Abraham, and Francesco Camarda.
The coach acknowledged the challenges posed by the current situation but remains focused on strategy. “We need to concentrate on our plays and the tactical setup prepared by the coach. We must decide the match ourselves,” he stated. Fonseca’s plan likely involves utilizing Morata in a deeper role as a playmaker while selecting between Abraham and Camarda to lead the attack.
The injury woes are reminiscent of last year’s struggles when Milan faced a similar crisis among their defenders. This time, however, it is the attacking unit that is feeling the strain. With Pulisic, Jovic, and Loftus-Cheek already out of action, the pressure is mounting on the remaining squad members to step up.
Despite these setbacks, Fonseca remains optimistic about his team’s ability to perform against Verona. “We must be a team that wins against anyone,” he emphasized, underscoring the importance of resilience in overcoming adversity.
