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The October international break has come to a close, and to say that it has been a mixed bag for AC Milan would be an understatement.
In the September break there were 12 Milan players called up to represent their respective countries, and this time the number was even bigger. In total, there were 15 summoned which is the most of any team in Serie A, not ideal for Massimiliano Allegri’s preparations at Milanello.
Those squad members left the training complex to join up with their national teams for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, the upcoming U21 European Championship or friendlies, with most remaining in Europe but a few heading across the ocean. So, how did they get on?
Battered and bruised
We have to start with the bad news: Milan have been truly ravaged in the international break, with multiple players sustaining injuries to varying degrees of severity.
The first one to report a problem was Pervis Estupinan, who was forced off during a draw between Ecuador and the United States in Texas with an ankle issue. That was his 50th cap for his country, and he missed the next game against Mexico, though thankfully it was just a knock and he should be back against Fiorentina.
Alexis Saelemaekers came off during Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Macedonia and reports claimed he sustained issue with the flexor in his right leg, which created some worry. In fact, it initially seemed that he could be out for almost a month. However, he is doing better and could also play on Sunday.
Rafael Leao had a bit of a strange time with Portugal. He came off the bench in their 1-0 win over Ireland in the first game but it emerged that he would not feature in the second (a 2-2 draw against Hungary) and he was given permission to return to Milan early. This will please Allegri, and it has since been suggested it was pre-agreed between the club and his national team.
Adrien Rabiot scored for France in a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan, so things started very well for him. Yet, he was not involved in the 2-2 draw with Iceland or the training session which took place the day before. He came back to Italy with what was initially reported to be a knock, but it is in fact a muscle tear and he faces a month out.
Then we come to the hammer blow: Christian Pulisic. Milan are sweating about a situation that looks ‘rather serious’ after he came off with a hamstring injury against Australia on Tuesday night. His ankle also flared up over the break, so that could be another thing to check, and they may even be linked. Pulisic will have a scan on Friday, with talk already of a month out.
The good news
With Pulisic looking at a spell out and doubts about Leao’s condition, Allegri did at least get some reassurance from Christopher Nkunku. After earning a France recall he was given a start against Iceland and he did not disappoint, even if the team did in a 3-3 draw.
Playing as a left winger, the summer signing picked up the ball on that side, drifting infield before unleashing a powerful shot that flashed inside the far post. It was the kind of goal that reminds everyone why he is worth €37m+ in Milan’s eyes, and why being ‘forced’ to start him against Fiorentina is far from a disaster.
Speaking after the game, Didier Deschamps applied the brakes a bit, stating: “Nkunku has the ability to remain calm in front of the goal. He’s not yet in top form, given that he hasn’t had much playing time at Milan so far.”
In addition to comments from the coach, the Rossoneri forward also spoke after the game, analysing his chances.
“As an attacking player, these are situations that can happen. The second chance came suddenly, I saw the ball coming at the last minute, I tried to direct it, but it went over. The most important thing is to stay focused on the game and the next move [which resulted in the goal].”
Then, there is the Italy U21 boys. Milan must have been left smiling after watching the Azzurrini over the break, above all because of the exploits of Francesco Camarda.
The striker scored his first U21 goal for Italy in the first fixture with a cheeky dinked penalty, a spot kick that he himself won. It made him the youngest scorer for his country at that age level.
He then scored a brace against Armenia in the next game, and Davide Bartesaghi even got an assist for one of them. Milan may not get to enjoy Camarda until next season given he is on loan at Lecce, but these are all very positive signs for his development.
Zachary Athekame got a first call-up to the senior Swiss national team from coach Yakin, having summoned him while he was on a training camp with the U21s before the second game. He did not come off the bench in the end, but it was still valuable experience, especially given the wing-back may be needed on Sunday.
Luka Modrić played the full 90 on Thursday for Croatia, but the good news is that he got a bit of a rest earlier this week. He came on with 20 minutes left when his side were already 2-0 up and helped control the lead, which was sealed by Erlić’s goal in the 96th minute.
Finally, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was called up by Ruben Loftus-Cheek in September and kept his spot in the squad for the October games. He got his first appearance since 2018 when he came on as a substitute in the second half of England’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales at Wembley on Thursday night, and was also presented with a cap.
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