AC Milan are building momentum at a critical moment in their season, but an injury list that now runs to seven players is testing Ruben Amorim's squad depth to its limits. The 2-0 victory at Udinese on Sunday was a timely response to the heavy 0-3 defeat against Bournemouth in Europe, with Christian Pulisic and Omari Hutchinson scoring to lift the club to fifth in Serie A on 18 points. Several fringe players seized their opportunity convincingly, with Luca Bartesaghi, Fikayo Tomori and teenage debutant Sankhoun Diawara all impressing in a makeshift lineup.

The injury situation, though, remains a serious concern. Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila and Diego Moreira all missed Udinese and their availability for the derby against Inter on October 31 is uncertain. Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up a new problem during the Udinese win and is expected to miss time after the international break. Alexis Saelemaekers and Matteo Gabbia remain sidelined, meaning Amorim must again find solutions against Bologna on Wednesday before the pressure of the derby arrives.

Off the pitch, owner Gerry Cardinale travelled to Udine and is staying in Italy through the Inter match, a signal of how closely the club's leadership is watching this period. The return of Gonçalo Ramos from injury offers one genuine boost as Milan try to string together three consecutive league wins for the first time this season.