Milan shuffle pack as Nkunku and Estupinan face fitness setbacks

AC Milan has officially ruled out Christopher Nkunku and Pervis Estupinan for their upcoming friendly against Celtic. The pair did not board the flight to Scotland, forcing manager Paulo Fonseca to adjust his tactical setup on short notice. Fans expecting to see the full-strength squad will have to wait for later in the summer calendar.

The absences are not expected to keep either player out for an extended duration. According to reports from Sempre Milan, the club is prioritizing caution during this early phase of the preseason. Management wants to avoid aggravating minor niggles that could develop into recurring issues as the competitive schedule intensifies.

Tactical ripple effects and replacement plans

With Pervis Estupinan missing from the left flank, the defensive rotation immediately changes. The squad depth is being tested before the league campaign even begins, which serves as a blunt reminder of how quickly lineups can deteriorate. Expect Filip Kostic to see increased minutes as the coaching staff looks to provide width in the Ecuadorian international's absence.

The offensive transition looks differently without Nkunkuโ€™s movement between the lines. His absence puts the onus on the remaining midfielders to dictate the tempo against a robust Celtic side. As outlined in recent tactical reports, the reliance on Kostic suggests Fonseca might shift toward a more traditional wide-crossing approach rather than the narrow, fluid play Nkunku usually enables.

The broader reality of preseason risk

AC Milanโ€™s approach to these friendlies suggests a low tolerance for unnecessary strain. While some clubs risk players to satisfy global ticketing demand, Milan appears to be isolating their primary assets from match intensity until they reach 100 percent clearance. It is a smart move grounded in the reality that summer availability often dictates September performance.

History shows that rushing players during training camps rarely pays off. Teams that ignore minor inflammation markers in July often find themselves relying on substitute benches by mid-October. This conservative strategy is an admission that the squadโ€™s first competitive match is the only scoreboard that truly matters, regardless of external pressure to showcase top talent.

Critique: Depth concerns already mounting

Despite the logic, there is an uncomfortable undertone to this news. Relying on a small handful of starters leaves the team vulnerable if these minor injury profiles become a trend. If Fonseca cannot rotate effectively because the gap between his starters and backups is too wide, the team will struggle to sustain a push for silverware.

The lack of a seamless transition plan for Nkunku specifically is worth monitoring. If the team identity hinges on one playerโ€™s unique profile, the technical director needs to find a secondary option who won't force an entire tactical overhaul. Relying on Kostic is functional, but it offers a significantly different output than what is expected from the primary starting eleven.

Looking toward the season opener

Management is clearly betting that missing a match against Celtic is a small price to pay for having a fully operational roster in late August. Fitness staffs across the league are operating with similar hyper-vigilance, prioritizing data-driven readiness over on-field aesthetics. The modern game requires this level of intervention, even if it leaves spectators disappointed.

Expect further updates on their recovery progression once the squad returns to the Milanello training grounds. Until then, these two players remain placeholders on the medical list, awaiting further evaluation. The club has not provided a specific return date, but the absence from this trip keeps their total matches missed at 0 official league fixtures.