Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlović are the only outfield players to have completed every minute of every game under Ruben Amorim so far this season, joining Mike Maignan as the three ever-presents in the squad, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The pair have settled any early doubts about who fills the back three. Both suit what Amorim wants from his centre-backs, though for different reasons: Pavlović's aggression raises the defensive line and increases pressure on opponents, while De Winter's comfort on the ball and willingness to take risks in possession give Milan a build-up outlet. Neither is flawless. Pavlović still carries the ball forward more than he should at times, and De Winter can switch off, but Amorim trusts them and is getting consistent performances in return.
The flip side is that depth behind them is thin. Matteo Gabbia has been nursing an ankle problem that has kept him out, Sankhoun Diawara is yet to feature, and Filippo Terracciano lasted 45 minutes against Benfica before being replaced. There has not been much competition for places simply because there has not been much availability.
That should change soon. Gabbia is expected to see more minutes in the coming weeks, with seven fixtures packed in before the end of October after the international break. Amorim will need rotation across his defensive line, and Gabbia's return would offer a genuine alternative rather than an emergency one. Separately, Pavlović could also be in line to sign a new contract with Milan in the near future, according to the same report.
The numbers from the Lecce game illustrated how central the pair have become. De Winter and Pavlović combined for 162 passes between them, with Pavlović touching the ball more than any other Milan player and De Winter ranking third. It is a long way from the difficulties both experienced before Amorim's arrival, Pavlović looking lost in Paulo Fonseca's back four, De Winter dragged out of position by Rasmus Højlund in the Supercoppa.
Whether Gabbia can break up the partnership or whether Amorim views it as his settled first choice even at full strength is the next question to answer, and the October schedule will force his hand either way.