Milan Transfer Market: Cardinale Rejects the Team; Amorim and a Starter Are in the Crosshairs

Gerry Cardinale is losing his patience. The Milan owner watched the team at Mapei Stadium, where the Rossoneri drew 1-1 with Sassuolo, and was very disappointed. In its behind-the-scenes report, *La Gazzetta dello Sport* identifies the aspects that the RedBird boss did not like at all—and that could become key indicators for the January transfer window.

Cardinale has set his sights on the team’s defensive fragility—such as the serious error that led to Odenthal’s goal—and the way Amorim’s team builds play: Gonçalo Ramos, who has been brilliant in recent weeks with the Portuguese national team, was hardly ever set up by his teammates and seemed too isolated.

Cardinale was also disappointed by Adrien Rabiot, who—aside from scoring the opening goal—often seemed out of position and gave the ball away too often in midfield. According to La Rosea, the only players praised were Diego Moreira and Christian Pulisic.

Matteo Gabbia was forced to leave the field on a stretcher just 15 minutes into the game. Medical tests revealed a strain in the flexor muscle of his left thigh, with partial tendon involvement: the defender will need to consult a specialist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and risks being sidelined for a very long time.

On the transfer front, RedBird’s owner’s deliberations thus appear set to accelerate the plans already in the works for January. In defense, the main target remains Gonçalo Inacio of Sporting Lisbon: a deal worth around 40 million had already been set in motion over the summer, but nothing came of it because the Portuguese club was unable to find a suitable replacement. It was Amorim himself who reportedly pushed hard to reopen the deal, considering his compatriot the ideal player to shore up a defense that has shown too many weaknesses.