Tare answers questions on Milan’s injury crisis and limited depth: “Deliberately made this way”

AC Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare has stressed that injuries are not excuses ahead of tonight’s game against Fiorentina.

Milan go into the game on Sunday night with a rather straightforward mission: if they win, they will climb above Roma, Napoli and their city rivals Inter to take top spot in the Serie A standings after eight rounds of action.

However, it will be far from straightforward given the injury crisis that has gripped the squad. Ardon Jashari, Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Christopher Nkunku, Pervis Estupinan and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will all watch on from the stands with various muscle and bone issues.

The result is that Massimiliano Allegri has had to make three changes from the side that drew with Juventus before the break, and the bench is rather worrying: De Winter, Odogu, Sala, Gimenez and Balentien are the only outfield players.

Tare spoke to DAZN in the build-up to the game and answered questions on the injury situation and the depleted depth in the squad, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

You can go top of the table tonight…

“It’s a great opportunity, there are no excuses or complaints: it’s part of the game, the team is doing well and is coming off a string of positive results. We’re playing against a strong team that hasn’t achieved much of its potential. But tonight we have a great opportunity and we have to play for it.”

Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images

What’s the current situation with Athekame? How do you see Ricci and Modric?

“Athekame is young with great potential: playing at San Siro puts pressure on him, so we shouldn’t put it on him. He’s shown great ability in training and today he deserved to start. It’s always easy to play with Luka; playing alongside a champion can only help you learn and grow.”

Do you see this squad as ready, in terms of depth?

“The squad was deliberately made this way: 19 outfield players, 3-4 goalkeepers, and 2-3 Milan Futuro players who are permanent. These absences aren’t a positive thing, but they shouldn’t be an excuse, because with a win tonight, we can look forward to this season with great confidence.”