The mood around the San Siro right now is... complicated. It's January 2026, the winter mist is thick over Milan, and if you ask ten different Milanisti how they feel about the current state of the club, you'll probably get twelve different answers.
AC Milan is sitting in second place in Serie A, trailing Inter by a reachable margin, yet the "vibe" feels remarkably fragile. After a frantic start to the new year, including two consecutive 1-1 draws against Genoa and Fiorentina, the fan base is essentially split down the middle. One side sees a resilient team that hasn't lost in 18 straight matches; the other sees a squad that is somehow getting less out of its stars under Massimiliano Allegri’s pragmatic, often frustrating, three-at-the-back system.
The Nkunku Rescue and the Fiorentina Hangover
Honestly, the AC Milan latest news from the weekend felt like a fever dream. Traveling to the Artemio Franchi is never easy, but the 1-1 draw with Fiorentina left a bitter taste. Christopher Nkunku basically saved Allegri’s skin with a late equalizer after Pietro Comuzzo had put the Viola ahead.
It was a mess.
Christian Pulisic, who has been the heartbeat of this team for a while now, had a genuine "disasterclass." He looked leg-heavy and missed chances he usually buries in his sleep. Then there’s the Strahinja Pavlović situation. The Serbian defender had a brutal aerial collision that left him needing nine stitches in his temple. He’s a warrior, sure, but seeing him covered in blood was a grim reminder of how thin this squad is stretched right now.
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The Fullkrug Curse: 106 Minutes of Hope
You’ve gotta feel for Niclas Füllkrug. The guy arrived from West Ham on January 2nd as the "missing piece"—the physical target man Milan has lacked. He looked great in training, debuted against Cagliari in a 1-0 win, and then started against Fiorentina.
And then? A fractured toe.
The German international is now sidelined after just 106 minutes of action. It’s almost comical in its tragedy. Reports initially suggested he’d be out for a month, but Sky Sport Italia is now hinting he might try to push through for the Lecce game this weekend. Still, he’s almost certainly out for Thursday’s trip to Como.
Transfer Chaos: Fofana, Modric, and the Bayern Connection
The January window is wide open, and the rumor mill is spinning fast enough to give you whiplash. The big news? Youssouf Fofana. Galatasaray's Vice-President, Abdullah Kavukcu, literally landed in Italy this week to talk terms. The Turkish giants are desperate for him, but Fofana reportedly isn't keen. He wants to stay and fight for the Scudetto, which is the kind of loyalty you love to see, though the club might be tempted by a massive bid if it allows them to fund a move for a new defender.
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Speaking of midfielders, let’s talk about the Luka Modrić paradox. At 40 years old, he is still starting almost every game. He’s played 18 matches this season. Think about that. While his quality is undeniable, there is a growing stat-backed fear: Milan’s win rate drops off a cliff when he isn’t on the pitch. Relying on a 40-year-old to carry the creative burden in 2026 is, frankly, insane.
That’s why the Leon Goretzka rumors are heating up. Both Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky claim Milan is positioning itself to snag the Bayern Munich "midfield engine" as a free agent in June, but don’t be surprised if they try to pull that move forward to January if they can shift some deadwood.
The Defensive Crisis
The backline is a rotating door of injuries and "maybe" fixes.
- Joe Gomez: Milan approached Liverpool (again) after failing in the summer. It depends on whether Liverpool lands a replacement.
- Federico Gatti: A weird rumor that won't die.
- Matteo Gabbia: Finally coming back from a knee injury, which is a massive relief.
Is Allegri the Right Man?
This is the question haunting the cafes near Casa Milan. Allegri has brought stability—hence the 18-match unbeaten streak—but the 3-5-2 system feels like a straitjacket for players like Rafael Leão.
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Leão is currently a doubt for the Como match with a muscle issue, but even when he’s fit, he looks isolated. Fabio Capello recently weighed in, refusing to blame Allegri but pointing out that Milan "never wins" comfortably without Modric’s magic. The transition from the high-pressing style of previous years to this pragmatic, "suffer and win" approach is causing some serious tactical friction.
Actionable Insights for the Week Ahead
If you're following the Rossoneri right now, keep your eyes on these three specific developments:
- The Como Lineup (Thursday): Watch if Allegri finally ditches the three-back system. With Füllkrug out and Leão doubtful, he might be forced into a 4-3-3 or something more experimental.
- The Fofana Stance: If Galatasaray increases their offer to over €30m, watch for the "untransferable" tag to disappear.
- Pavlović’s Recovery: If he doesn't clear concussion protocols for the weekend, the defense is essentially Gabbia and whoever is left standing.
The next few days are pivotal. A win against Como settles the nerves; anything less, and the "Allegri Out" whispers will turn into a roar before the Lecce match on Sunday. Stay tuned to the medical reports, as that toe injury to Füllkrug might just dictate the entire January strategy.
Next Steps: Monitor the official team sheet for the Como fixture on January 15th to see if Rafael Leão makes the bench, as his presence (or absence) will signal the severity of his latest muscle fatigue. You should also track the Milan Futuro results, as the promotion of young talent like Aron Babaj might become necessary given the senior squad's thinning numbers.