Week 24: Empoli – Milan

It could be argued that the transfer window that just concluded ended on a positive note for Milan. The rumoured Santiago Gimenez transfer from Feyenoord materialized. The self proclaimed Milan fan was bought for around €35 million, a sizable investment by Milan standards. Warren Bondo was bought from Galliani’s Monza for another €10 million. Kyle Walker’s earlier arrival was supplemented with Joao Felix and Riccardo Sottil loans to bolster the attacking depth. Four departures in Calabria, Morata, Okafor and Bennacer varied from expected to somewhat surprising.

Some of the newcomers – Felix in particular with a goal – showed their worth in the midweek 3-1 beating of Roma in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. Now the Serie A work starts. A changed lineup is to be expected but will the formation look all too different? For this match away to Empoli it seems that the likes of Leao and Reijnders will be rested as the new team takes shape. Felix and Sottil are expected to get debut starts with Gimenez ready to jump in if needed. Bondo is not 100% and may not available for another week. The back four welcomes back Thiaw who is expected to partner Gabbia. Walker and Theo will be the fullbacks. Musah and Fofana should be the mid starters with the aforementioned Bondo filling in Bennacer’s spot on the squad for the upcoming matches. Pulisic also needs a rest but it will have to wait. Abraham will get another chance to score goals following his two goal performance against his parent team in the Coppa Italia. Sottil is set for an early debut following his arrival from Fiorentina. The Italian forward was not the subject of a prolonged rumour, a unusual occurrence by Milan standards.

Lorenzo Colombo is of course a familiar name for Milan fans and has scored six goals so far this season on loan at Empoli. His team sit 16th in the Serie A table and have not won a game this calendar year.

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