I think training methods also have to factor into our sh!tty fitness records over these past 5 years or so. The number of injuries we've accumulated each season can't simply be put on just the medical staff. Especially when we've changed personnel in that department more than once

Also, these injuries either give us the chance of a 4-2-3-1 or Honda could be played in midfield (is he even fit anyway?)

Honda is out. I suppose either one between Bona and MvG recovers in time, Antonelli plays as LCM, or we go for 4-2-3-1 with Suso as AM.

Antonelli in the midfield for me is a ridiculous notion, one that was tried already and failed badly

Failed? When, one match? Fact is, Antonelli can play LCM and has been doing so more then few times.

Yes, it was one game where it failed abysmally, but he is in fact a LB, playing in another position a few times doesn't make you an LCM.

We already have enough issues as it is in midfield, why add to them by putting a LB in there, it's not like Antonelli is an ultra cultured FB that can pull off any position like an Alves for crying out loud. And just because he played that position many other times with Genoa or whoever doesn't mean that he should be doing so with us

Abysmal? Which game was that? I don't know, who else is there to play?

I agree with Han, Antonelli as LCM should be out of the question. If no-one can recover, just go for 4-2-3-1. No need to over complicate things.

The one where Pippo brought on Bocchetti with Mexes and Paletta and moved Antonelli into midfield.

I seriously cannot remember who we were playing against atm. I think we ended up losing after that masterful change

De Jong, Poli & Suso.

Not actually that bad a midfield that we could put out.

It was HV and we were 2-1 up when that masterstroke took place. We were already sitting in too much and on 77 Pippo brought Bocchetti on and we conceded another.

We drew.

Ah... Thank you! Was turning my brain over trying to remember who it was against and how the score was

Glad to be of service

Bonaventura: "The many injuries are due to the Dubai trip in December. We went there just for marketing and not for preparation"

Link

Not something a player should actually say tbh.

Correct though he is, it's not his place to criticise his employer.

Funny article on Mediaset: "Montolivo will undergo surgery, season is over for him"

Link

When was he ever available?

Yeah saw that a day or so ago.

We miss his uselessness so badly.

Anyone knows how Menez is doing?

And what about NdJ and Lopez? Both long-term injured or?

Absolutely no clue. I'll check into this though because it's getting rather fishy if you ask me

I read now that Menez will start training individually. Gives hope. But the two other players I've mentioned are a mystery to me.

I read Romagnoli is still having problems with his injury (for three months now) and might undergo surgery.

Source: CM.com

Don't know, last I read he was doing specialised training. What a bummer this is. We won't be able to see our best defensive line for quite some time

This could also nix the 3-man back line idea

Good thing we've got Musacchio and Bonucci

True, but it puts a huge dent in the 3-man defensive line plan. And pushes us back to playing 4-3-3

If Montella only has Bonucci and Musacchio available, I really hope he tries out some other formations, one not so reliant on quick and creative wingers would be ideal

Possible sprain for Bonaventrua, most probably will miss all three games before the NT break. [CM.com]

He's turning into the next Montolivo.

Hopefully not. Vital player for us.

Also explains away Sheva's questioning. When you're going to play 4 games in 10 days, you need the backup for quality players with more quality.

You know what, I'm very pissed by Sheva's comments to be quite frank. He's the last person who should give such remarks.

I didn't read the entire interview. But he's speaking as a coach I think. And you can't put it past the media to pull words out of context.

As a coach, I can only say Montella has got a HUGE problem bringing that squad together. He did it last season though. So I'm sure he will come good.

So, Caldara will be out for at least 3 months, having played just one game so far. What a failure his signing turned out to be.

Don't jump the gun just yet. He's been injured all season so far. It's been an unlucky start but there's no doubting his quality from his time at Atalanta where IIRC he mostly stayed fit throughout the season.

He's just having an unlucky time with injuries. Once they clear up I'm sure he'll come good for us

I'm saying disappointing in the sense that he keeps getting injured. I'm not doubting his qualities.

But labeling his signing a failure is jumping the gun. It's just a disappointing beginning, but if he has a great season next year it would still be considered a great signing, especially if him and Romagnoli form a pairing that is still strong years down the line

So far it has been disappointing. We don’t know things will develop. Same with Conti.

Yep that is true, but you can't really classify them as failed signings yet

They're not playing, Han. That's disappointing, and their signing this far have been a failure. You cannot claim otherwise.

Biglia out for at least 4 months.

At least this means we'll sign a new holding mid in January.

Musacchio out for two months.

This is getting ridiculous.

Yep a lot of injuries, no word on when Bona will be fit again. Add to that Higuain. Hakan, Kessie and Cutrone all carrying knocks and we're f@cked

Bonaventura could undergo surgery and be out for 5 months.

Anymore?

Confirmed

At this point we'll barely have a starting 11

This worries me as this sort of injury crises could easily lead to hasty decisions in the market

We're definitely in talks with Ibra atm, but we still need to look at 2 more mids at this point and maybe even a right footed winger as well

Indeed. I keep reading about some shitty names being linked with us. We need quality signings. Hopefully UEFA doesn't limit our mercato in January otherwise we're screwed.

Romagnoli out for a month.

WTF is going on???

Hakan and Calabria also had issues during international break as well. This has got to be the worst run of luck with injuries since 2011/2012 when we conceded the Scudetto to Juve due to all the injuries

Allegri time all over again.

Albeit back then it was muscular injuries due to bad preparation. This time it's all sorts of injuries.

Not really. Under Allegri it was mostly muscle problems from questionable coaching/medical treatment

These are mostly just knocks, it's just our luck to go through an injury crises when our season was starting to really take off. I'm actually shocked that we've so far managed to still give relatively stable performances with decent results as well

Caldara out for 5-6 months.

This poor kid is cursed.

Is it the same kind of injury of something else this time?

No idea. That guy's a mystery for me.