Milan have found their footing in Serie A after a turbulent week, but the injury list is growing at an alarming rate. The 2-0 win at Udinese on Sunday restored confidence after the heavy 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in Europe, with Christian Pulisic and Omari Hutchinson scoring to lift the club to fifth in the table on 18 points after eight games.

The result mattered beyond three points. Amorim was forced to field a makeshift lineup with Rabiot, Gila and Moreira all absent, yet fringe players stepped up convincingly, with Bartesaghi, Hutchinson and debutant Diawara all impressing. That depth of response gives the squad a psychological lift heading into a congested fixture run.

The injury picture, though, remains the defining concern. Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up a problem during the Udinese win and will miss further games, taking the total absentees to eight for the Bologna match. The fitness of Gila, Rabiot and Moreira ahead of the derby against Inter on 31 October is the question dominating the club's week.

Owner Gerry Cardinale has remained in Italy throughout this period, a signal of how closely the club's leadership is watching events unfold. Milan host Bologna at San Siro on Wednesday before the derby, and back-to-back wins would significantly settle the mood around the club.