AC Milan’s evening in Salzburg offered Ruben Amorim more than a result: it widened the group available to him before Sunday’s Serie A meeting with Atalanta. Several players who had been outside the usual starting picture responded well, with Cisse scoring twice in a 2-0 win and a number of alternatives making a case for a larger role.
A rotated Milan find answers in Salzburg
- Amorim made extensive changes after the Reggio Emilia group, giving opportunities to players who had not been regular starters.
- Omari Hutchinson began on the right and overcame early doubts about his position. The Englishman appeared increasingly assured after the interval, particularly when carrying the ball towards goal on the break.
- Hutchinson supplied Cisse for the opening goal. He had previously missed a possible final pass in the first half, but his overall contribution suggested he can be considered more seriously as an attacking midfield option rather than merely a squad player.
- His best attempt was stopped by 19-year-old Salzburg goalkeeper Zawieschitzky, who diverted the shot with his foot.
- Davide Bartesaghi created Cisse’s second goal with a cross, another indication of the quality he possesses when delivering early from the flank.
- Cisse’s two goals completed Milan’s 2-0 victory and gave the rotated side a productive night.
Bartesaghi’s next step is less about technique than conviction. His crossing has long been recognised, but the display in Austria underlined the value of attacking more often when the space is there. Last season, Milan received interest from clubs prepared to discuss a deal in the region of €30 million for the 20-year-old.
There remains a selection issue on the left. Pervis Estupinan has so far been Amorim’s preferred choice, but Bartesaghi’s case has strengthened among supporters who would like to see him given more league minutes.
Jashari presses his claim before Atalanta
Ardon Jashari also gave the coach a composed midfield performance. He completed every one of his 41 passes before half-time, then finished with 60 successful passes from 63 attempts. Within that total were five longer deliveries and two chances created.
Luka Modric played around half an hour, and his position in front of the defence remains firmly his. Yet Jashari’s development is becoming increasingly clear: the more consistently he plays, the more influence he finds. It is a point the midfielder has made himself in recent interviews.
That form adds a further strand to Sunday’s 18:00 Serie A fixture at home to Atalanta. The Bergamo club had sought Jashari during the summer, but Milan and the player chose to continue together. Amorim will be pleased with that decision as the midfielder builds momentum.
Tomori returns to the picture
- Salzburg’s first major threat arrived when Baidoo drove directly towards Mike Maignan’s goal.
- Fikayo Tomori, making his first appearance of the season after roughly 70 days without competitive action, recovered to stop the attack.
- The intervention carried weight after a difficult late-summer period for the defender. Around Ferragosto, he was placed on the market, and he travelled to London on the final day of the window for talks with Fulham.
- Tomori was prepared to join Fulham, but Milan called him back when concerns grew over Matteo Gabbia’s injury.
- After remaining at the club and waiting around a month and a half to return to action, he is now the first alternative behind the defensive trio of Gila, De Winter and Pavlovic.
With injuries affecting Milan’s defensive resources, Tomori’s return may prove important over the coming weeks. His recovery run against Baidoo was not simply a useful moment in Salzburg; it was a reminder that he has a route back into Amorim’s plans.
Loftus-Cheek advances, Camarda endures a quieter night
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was another player to leave a positive impression. Used in an advanced role close to Francesco Camarda, he performed more convincingly than in recent appearances and came close to scoring.
Camarda, however, found the match more difficult. He worked for the side but did not create a clear chance for himself, lost a couple of physical duels and lacked his usual sharpness. On a night when many of Milan’s younger and less-used players took a step forward, the forward had a more testing chapter.
The broader message for Amorim is encouraging. Salzburg did not settle the hierarchy for the season, nor should one match do so, but it gave Milan added options before Atalanta arrive. Hutchinson, Bartesaghi, Jashari and Tomori have all made the coach’s next decisions less straightforward.
