AC Milan Face Selection Crisis Ahead of Udinese Match as Amorim Considers Line-Up Changes
AC Milan head to Udine with limited options and several important decisions to make. A growing list of fitness problems has disrupted preparations for Saturday’s football fixture, forcing head coach Amorim to reconsider his preferred starting XI and the depth available on the bench.
Rabiot, Moreira and Gila are expected to stay in Milan because of physical issues, joining Terracciano, Gabbia, Saelemaekers and Chukwueze on the injury list. With seven players unavailable, the Rossoneri face a significant selection challenge at a demanding point in the season. The absences could create opportunities for younger players, including Bartesaghi, while also requiring tactical adjustments in several areas.
Seven absentees leave Milan short of options
The scale of the problem is particularly notable because the unavailable players cover different positions. Missing defenders reduce Amorim’s flexibility at the back, while the absence of midfielders and attacking options limits his ability to change the shape or introduce fresh legs during the match.
Rabiot’s absence is a concern in midfield, where Milan may lose a player capable of contributing both physically and in possession. Moreira’s unavailability further narrows the coach’s choices, while Gila’s fitness issue adds to the defensive uncertainty. Their absence comes on top of the injuries to Terracciano, Gabbia, Saelemaekers and Chukwueze, leaving Amorim with fewer experienced alternatives than he would normally expect.
In a match against Udinese, that lack of depth could matter as much as the starting line-up. The contest may demand intensity, defensive concentration and the ability to respond to changes in momentum. If Milan are forced to make substitutions, Amorim will have less room to tailor those changes to the flow of the game.
Bartesaghi could benefit from the defensive shortage
One of the key questions is whether Bartesaghi will be trusted with a greater role. With senior defenders unavailable, the young player could become a practical solution for Amorim, either in the starting XI or as an option from the bench. His potential involvement would reflect the immediate needs of the squad, but it could also offer a valuable opportunity to demonstrate his readiness at senior level.
Handing a young defender responsibility in an away fixture is not without risk. Udinese can make matches uncomfortable through direct play, physical challenges and pressure on the ball. Milan will need any inexperienced players to remain disciplined, communicate clearly and avoid being drawn out of position. The coaching staff may therefore weigh Bartesaghi’s energy and availability against the value of keeping a more experienced player in the defensive structure.
Even if he does not start, his presence could be important. With so many absentees, Milan need substitutes who can cover multiple situations, and a young player able to step into the back line would give Amorim a little more tactical flexibility.
Jashari and the midfield balance
Jashari is another name to watch as Amorim works through his options. The midfield selection will be especially important because Milan must balance defensive protection with the ability to move the ball forward. Without Rabiot and Moreira, the coach may need to rely on a different combination of starters or ask players to take on responsibilities that are not part of their usual role.
A more conservative midfield could help shield the defence and reduce the danger of Udinese counterattacks. However, sitting too deep may make it harder for Milan to control possession and create chances. A more adventurous arrangement might improve the team’s attacking rhythm, but it could leave gaps for the hosts to exploit. Amorim’s choice will depend on which available players are fit enough to contribute and how much control he wants to establish early in the match.
Jashari’s possible involvement could therefore be about more than filling a vacancy. His role, if selected, may influence Milan’s tempo, pressing approach and ability to connect midfield with the forwards. The coach will also have to consider how the midfield unit can maintain its shape if the match becomes stretched.
Attacking changes may also be required
The absence of Saelemaekers and Chukwueze reduces Milan’s options out wide and removes two players who could otherwise provide pace, movement and one-on-one threat. Amorim may have to alter the way his team attacks, using different wide players or asking a forward to drift into wider areas.
That adjustment could affect the balance of the entire side. If Milan use natural width, they may be able to stretch Udinese’s defensive line and create space in central areas. If they instead focus on combinations through the middle, they will need quick passing and well-timed movement to avoid becoming predictable. The players selected will need to compensate for the missing attackers through coordinated movement rather than relying on individual changes of pace.
There is also the question of substitutions. With fewer attacking alternatives available, Amorim may have to manage his starters carefully, especially if the game is played at a high tempo. Milan could benefit from taking an early lead and controlling possession, but they will need a plan if they are chasing the match late on.
Udinese fixture offers a test of Milan’s depth
Saturday’s trip to Udine is more than a routine league assignment for Milan. It is a test of how effectively the squad can respond when several regular options are unavailable. A strong performance would show that the team can maintain its standards despite disruption; a difficult afternoon could underline how much the current absences have affected Amorim’s choices.
Udinese will be aware that Milan are travelling without a number of players and may look to apply pressure early. The Rossoneri will need to stay organised, win their individual duels and avoid giving the hosts opportunities to attack quickly. Maintaining composure will be just as important as technical quality, particularly if the game remains close into the second half.
Football prediction: a close match shaped by availability
Any football prediction for this fixture must account for Milan’s injury crisis. The Rossoneri still have quality in their available squad, but the absences could make it harder to sustain their usual intensity or respond to setbacks. Udinese, playing at home, may see an opportunity to make the contest physical and test Milan’s reshuffled defence.
The likely outcome could depend on how well Amorim’s chosen midfield protects the back line and whether Milan’s available attackers can create enough clear chances. If the visitors settle quickly and keep their defensive shape, they have the tools to compete for a positive result. If Udinese exploit the unfamiliar combinations or force Milan into repeated defensive work, the match could become much more difficult.
For Amorim, the immediate task is to find a balanced line-up rather than simply replace each absent player one for one. Bartesaghi and Jashari could be among the players whose roles attract attention, while the coach’s choices across defence, midfield and attack will determine how Milan approach the game. With seven players unavailable, adaptability may prove decisive in Udine.
