Sunday, 12 October, kick-off at 6:00 PM. AC Milan travel to Reggio Emilia to face Sassuolo in what promises to be a far from straightforward fixture. Rúben Amorim will have just two full training sessions at his disposal — Friday and Saturday — before the squad boards the team bus for Emilia, where they will spend the night before the match.
Internationals Return and Available Players
After the international break, Milanello has gradually filled back up. Adrien Rabiot, Mike Maignan — who had been granted an extra rest day — and Luka Modrić were all back in training on Friday. The midfielding returning from the United States was also expected to join the group during the day.
On the injury front, the Portuguese manager must deal with the absences of Alexis Saelemaekers, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and Pervis Estupiñán, whose knee problem rules him out of the trip to Reggio Emilia.
Probable Lineup: Amorim Eyes a 4-4-1-1
The most credited tactical hypothesis is a 4-4-1-1, a shape that provides midfield solidity and adequate width. This is how Milan could line up:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan, undisputed between the posts
- Defence: Ghila at right back, central partnership of Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlović, Davide Bartesaghi at left back. However, Matteo Gabbia could replace De Winter, with Amorim set to assess both players’ fitness over the next sessions
- Midfield: Samuel Chukwueze on the right, Luka Modrić and Adrien Rabiot in the centre, with Moreira and the talented 2003-born Sissoko competing for the left midfield spot
- Attacking midfielder: Christian Pulisic, tasked with linking midfield and attack with his characteristic quality and dynamism
- Striker: Gonçalo Ramos as the central reference up front
Open Battles: Defence and Midfield Still Undecided
At least two or three positions remain up in the air heading into the final training days. At the back, the contest between De Winter and Gabbia is the hottest one: the Belgian former Juventus man has shown composure, but the return of the Italian centre-back could be Amorim’s preferred choice for defensive balance.
In midfield, the picture is equally fluid. Modrić and Rabiot look nailed on, while on the left the battle between Moreira and the promising Sissoko remains open. The young Italian Under-21 midfielder has shown real quality and cannot be ruled out for a starting berth.
Rabiot‘s condition after his stint with the Équipe de France will also be monitored closely: the Frenchman is one of the key figures in Amorim’s system, and his presence could make all the difference.
4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1? Amorim’s Tactical Puzzle
A further variable is the possibility that Amorim switches formation. Should the manager opt for a 4-2-3-1, the dynamics would change significantly: the three attacking midfielders could feature Pulisic, Sissoko and Moreira together, but that would push Chukwueze to the fringes of the starting eleven. In this scenario, the American Pulisic’s versatility would prove invaluable across the attacking third.
A return to a back three — a shape Amorim knows well from his time in Portugal — cannot be entirely ruled out either, although the limited preparation time makes this option less likely in the short term.
Few Days, Many Variables: The Logistical Challenge at Milanello
The packed schedule does not help. The squad will travel by bus on Saturday evening after the morning session, leaving Amorim without any tactical work on the day before the game. In this context, Saturday’s press conference could offer valuable clues about his final selections.
Despite the logistical difficulties, the mood around the club is one of genuine optimism. Milan head into the Sassuolo fixture eager to build on their growth trajectory: every point earned in this congested fixture list carries extra weight in the table.
On Saturday, Casa Milan will also welcome street artist Lucas Street Art, who will create a new, larger mural dedicated to club legend Franco Baresi — a tangible reminder of how history and identity remain at the very heart of the Milan project.
