Milan’s Injury Storm Ahead of Fiorentina: Allegri Scrambles as Stars Wobble

Injury Woes Hit Milan Ahead of Fiorentina

Massimiliano Allegri, Milan’s head coach, is facing a mounting injury list as the Rossoneri prepare to meet Fiorentina in Week 7 of Serie A. Several regulars are already sidelined, heightening the risk of another disrupted lineup for a key league fixture.

The squad will be without four confirmed players: Adrian Rabiot, Christian Pulisic, Bervis Estupinán, and Ardon Jashari, while Christopher Nkounkou’s readiness remains in doubt. The accumulating injuries come at a delicate moment for Milan as they navigate early-season form.

In addition, Sky Italia reported that England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek felt a thigh issue during training, casting further doubt on his availability for the Fiorentina clash. A fitness test is scheduled for Sunday to determine his participation, but the prognosis looks uncertain and could force further reshuffles.

Allegri, facing a dilemma, has to balance risk and reward with a squad already stretched by absences. The decision on Monday’s lineup will be crucial, as Milan aim to maintain momentum despite the setbacks and keep pace in a tightly contested table race.

As the match approaches, the Italian press highlights that Milan’s depth could be tested in several departments, with the coach weighing whether to push certain players or give younger alternatives a chance to prove themselves in a big game.

Tactical Shuffle Behind the Scenes

Reportedly, Allegri had hoped to deploy Loftus-Cheek as a secondary striker behind Rafael Leao, but an injury has forced a rethinking of the attacking shape. Leao could be moved into a central forward role, supported by Alexis Salimaikiris, while Santiago Gimenez might start on the bench after international duty and fatigue.

With injuries constraining the options, Milan could also lean on alternative forwards such as Zacari Atikami and Davide Bartisagi in more advanced roles, even though both players primarily operate from wider or defensive positions. Alex Ximenes has recently returned to training, but Allegri may opt for caution and avoid rushing a full return ahead of the international break.

The tactical setup against Fiorentina will therefore be shaped by who is available, with a cautious approach expected in midfield and a focus on exploiting pace on the flanks when space opens up. The team will need to adapt quickly if key attackers are not fully fit for 90 minutes.

Projected Milan lineup vs Fiorentina (as discussed in the buildup):
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan; Defence: Strehnia Pavlovic, Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori; Midfield: Atikami, Samuel Ricci, Luka Modrić, Yusuf Fofana, Bartisagi; Attack: Salimaikiris, Leao. Note: these names reflect the article’s lineup possibilities and may shift depending on fitness and tactical decisions.

Allegri’s press conference emphasized that the squad would be rebuilt around available players, stressing that injuries are part of the season and that the team must stay sharp and adaptable to maximize the moments they do have on the pitch.

What Allegri Said About the Injury Situation

The Milan coach stated, “We’re missing three key players due to injuries, namely Rabiot and Pulisic, and Estupinán will not be available either.” He added that Nkounkou’s condition would be assessed closely, while Salimaikiris would be ready to participate. He reassured that there are enough players to face Fiorentina and that the team must be smart in handling the moment, using it as motivation rather than a setback.

Pulisic’s Injury Setback

Polite but clear, Milan confirmed Christian Pulisic suffered a muscle issue in the hamstring region during international duty. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported a re-evaluation in ten days, with concerns that the recovery could extend beyond a few weeks, potentially ruling him out of several key matches, including the derby against Inter on November 23.

The club’s medical update notes a slight tear and ongoing assessment to gauge response to treatment. While a return before the international break is unlikely, a cautious rehab plan aims to bring Pulisic back when ready, to avoid a prolonged absence.

Season So Far and Where Milan Stand

Milan began their campaign with a Coppa Italia win over Bari (2-0) before losing unexpectedly to Cremonese (1-2) to open the league. They then steadied the ship with four straight league victories against Lecce (2-0), Bologna (1-0), Udinese (3-0), and Napoli (2-1), before a goalless draw with Juventus in the sixth round. In the Coppa Italia, Milan advanced to the last 16 after beating Lecce 3-0, earning a December date with Lazio.

In Serie A, Milan had tallyed nine goals (eight from open play and one from a corner) while conceding three, placing them fourth with 13 points, two behind the leaders Inter, Napoli, and Roma. A win against Fiorentina would be a valuable step toward challenging for early-season supremacy.

Humor break: If injuries were a transfer window, Milan would have a full back line of “Out of Office” replies. Punchline time: If Allegri’s playbook had a GPS, it would constantly recalculate, because it keeps getting lost in the same injury roundabout. And finally: Milan’s depth chart is so long, even their calendar needs 10 days of rest to recover from the injuries of the season so far.