AC Milan has been grappling with a series of injuries to key players, significantly impacting their performance in both domestic and international competitions. As of February 2025, the club’s treatment room includes several prominent figures:
1. Alessandro Florenzi
The experienced right-back suffered a rupture of the cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus. This serious injury is expected to sideline Florenzi until the latter part of 2025, marking a substantial blow to Milan’s defensive options.
2. Ruben Loftus-Cheek
The English midfielder experienced a relapse of a right thigh flexor issue. He is anticipated to rejoin the squad in early March, providing a much-needed boost to Milan’s midfield depth.
3. Emerson Royal
The Brazilian full-back is dealing with a high-grade strain injury to the right calf. This injury is expected to keep him out for a prolonged period, between two and three months, further depleting Milan’s defensive resources.
4. Kyle Walker
The seasoned right-back, who joined Milan on loan in January, has been sidelined due to a muscular problem. Despite playing through discomfort in a recent Champions League match against Feyenoord, he missed the subsequent Serie A fixture against Torino. The injury is not considered serious, but his absence has been felt in Milan’s defensive lineup.
5. Christian Pulisic
The American winger has been struggling with a calf injury. His condition has been a concern, especially following a missed penalty in a recent match against Torino, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Milan. The injury has affected his match fitness, leading to reduced playing time and impacting his performance on the field.
Impact on Team Performance
The accumulation of these injuries has placed significant strain on AC Milan’s squad depth. The absence of key players like Florenzi and Emerson Royal has forced tactical adjustments, particularly in defense. The midfield has also been affected, with Loftus-Cheek’s injury limiting options in the center of the park. Offensively, Pulisic’s calf issue has hindered his ability to contribute consistently, as evidenced by his missed penalty in the recent match against Torino.
Management’s Response
Head coach Sérgio Conceição has been proactive in addressing these challenges. He has emphasized the importance of player fitness and has been cautious with players like Pulisic, acknowledging that he is not in optimal physical condition to play full matches. Conceição’s strategic decisions, including tactical adjustments and rotation, aim to mitigate the impact of these injuries on the team’s performance.
Looking Ahead
AC Milan’s medical and coaching staff are working diligently to manage these injuries and facilitate the recovery of the affected players. The club remains hopeful that Florenzi and Loftus-Cheek will return to action in the coming months, providing a much-needed boost to the squad. In the meantime, the team will continue to rely on their remaining players and tactical flexibility to navigate the challenges posed by these injuries.
In summary, AC Milan is currently contending with significant injuries to several key players, which have impacted their performance across various competitions. The club’s management is actively addressing these issues, with a focus on player recovery and strategic adjustments to maintain competitiveness in the season ahead.
