The midfield logjam in Perth

Ruben Amorim is currently overseeing a training camp in Perth that looks more like a boardroom crisis than a tactical retreat. According to recent reports from Tuttosport, the AC Milan engine room is bloated beyond repair. We are talking about eight players fighting for two spots in a double-pivot system.

This is not a rotation policy; it is a tactical bottleneck. You cannot build rhythm when six players are constantly looking over their shoulders at their replacements. If Amorim keeps this many bodies in the squad, the lack of defined minutes will kill the squad chemistry before the Serie A season even opens.

The Modric arrival and the Leao shadow

The arrival of Luka Modric in Australia adds an immense layer of prestige, but it complicates the internal politics. As GdS reports, Amorim is thrilled with the veteran's presence, yet you have to wonder where the minutes are going to come from if he is an automatic starter. He is a genius on the ball, but a stationary midfield in a modern pressing system requires immense discipline from the remaining pivot partner.

Then there is the Rafael Leao situation. The club's stance has been made clear by Fabrizio Romano: Milan will not entertain loans and the price floor is fixed at 50 million euros. While Leao is busy laughing during training sessions, the disconnect between his market value and his output is the most significant tactical concern for this coaching staff.

Tactical focus and the Baresi tribute

It is worth noting the human side of this tour, with Amorim and Matteo Gabbia placing flowers at the Franco Baresi mural. It shows an appreciation for the club's defensive heritage, which is exactly what this current iteration lacks. The current squad feels disconnected from the defensive rigor that defined Milan's golden eras.

My prediction? Amorim will cut the midfield list down to five by the end of August. He has to be ruthless. Keeping eight midfielders is a recipe for a locker room revolt and tactical instability. Look for at least three departures, likely by loan or permanent transfer, before the window closes. If he fails to cull this group, the defensive gaps we saw last season will be magnified by the lack of clear, consistent roles in the center of the pitch.