Preseason priorities are getting weird

We are barely into the preseason schedule, and already the injury updates are starting to feel like a recurring nightmare. Milan is shipping off to face Celtic, and Christopher Nkunku along with Pervis Estupinan are staying behind in Italy. It is the type of early frustration that makes fans want to throw their beer at the television before the real season even kicks off.

As reported this week, the club is keeping these two grounded for precautionary reasons. Nkunku is dealing with a minor physical setback while Estupinan is being managed carefully to ensure he does not snap something vital before the actual points matter. Watching your high-priced assets work on stationary bikes while the rest of the squad flies to Scotland is not the morale booster anyone asked for during the July heat.

The spotlight shifts to Filip Kostic

With those two stuck in the training room, the door is wide open for Filip Kostic to show he belongs in the starting rotation. Reports coming out of Milanello suggest this is a massive opportunity for him to prove his worth. Kostic has the engine to run up and down the flank for 90 minutes, which is exactly what we need against an aggressive Celtic side.

If Kostic fumbles this chance, it says more about his standing in the squad than it does about the coaching staff's rotation policy. You get these exhibition matches to prove you aren't just dead weight on the payroll. Sitting on my couch, I expect to see him whipping crosses into the box with actual intent rather than just aimlessly pinging the ball off opposing defenders.

Tactical clashes in Glasgow

Celtic is always a tough watch for visitors because they treat every friendly like a Champions League knockout leg. This preseason preview highlights how they will likely press high and try to bully a Milan squad that is still finding its rhythm. It is a classic test for a defense dealing with missing personnel.

The lack of depth is looking like a glaring issue already. If one minor knock to Nkunku keeps him home, you have to start wondering what kind of paper-thin squad we are actually rolling with this year. You cannot survive a Serie A campaign if your key creators are watching highlights on their phones while the team is playing against a physical opponent in Glasgow.

The decision to hold them back is purely responsible, but it feels like a heavy dose of reality for a fanbase expecting a title push. We have seen this movie before where the depth chart starts looking like a triage unit by October. Managing minutes is fine, but failing to build a squad that can survive a trip to Celtic without key pillars is just asking for a chaotic autumn.

I want to see intensity from the young guys filling the gaps. If they show up flat, these next few weeks of preseason are going to feel like an eternity. Kostic needs to be the spark, or otherwise, the narrative shifts from "precautionary rest" to "we are in trouble" faster than you can blink.

The defensive structure is under the microscope today. With the full-back rotation currently in flux, the center-halves better communicate, or Celtic will pick them apart. Keep your eyes on that left side, because that is where the most pressure will be applied if the personnel shuffle fails to click under tension.