AC Milan return from the international break facing a significant tactical reset. Ruben Amorim is abandoning his long-standing three-at-the-back system for Sunday's trip to Sassuolo, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 that reflects both tactical curiosity and injury-driven necessity. It is a notable shift for a coach who once said not even the Pope could convince him to change his shape.

The injuries tell much of the story. Alexis Saelemaekers faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after scans revealed a more serious ankle problem than first feared, while Pervis Estupinan picked up a knock on international duty with Ecuador. Those absences have accelerated the rise of Diego Moreira, the Belgian winger signed from Strasbourg in August for a fee that could reach 67 million euros. Moreira is set to start alongside Pulisic and Chukwueze behind Gonçalo Ramos, with Davide Bartesaghi stepping in at left back.

Christian Pulisic, who stayed at Milanello throughout the break and scored in the 3-0 win over Lecce before the pause, arrives into this run of fixtures in strong form and is expected to lead the attack. Milan sit fifth in Serie A with 11 points from five games, and Amorim has stressed that the coming weeks, including the October 31 derby against Inter, will be decisive for the season.