GdS: Why Milan decided against a late move to bolster the defensive department

There was no late movement to AC Milan in the winter window, at least related to the first team, so the defence remained unchanged.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the Milan directors made their evaluations together with the head coach Massimiliano Allegri, and in the end the club preferred to keep the current group of central defenders in the squad.

Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic will remain the starting trio of a defensive group that have conceded 17 goals in the league so far (only Roma and Como have conceded fewer). Alongside them, Koni De Winter is growing, and is likely to start again this evening in Bologna.

Given the former Genoa defender’s excellent performances, the Rossoneri have chosen not to make any further signings. Chelsea’s Frenchman Axel Disasi was who was for a time considered a potential reinforcement for the rearguard before joining West Ham.

Instead, everything remains as it is and trust has been confirmed even in the younger players. Davide Bartesaghi is now a regular starter and can be used in the three-man defence, while Davide Odogu – who has only made one appearance in Serie A – was not loaned out.

The biggest certainty in the defence remains Mike Maignan, the captain who a few days ago renewed his contract with the club until 2031.