“Hopefully we will have Rafa against Napoli.”
Massimiliano Allegri chose his words carefully yesterday when asked about Leao’s condition. The Portuguese Milan forward has been sidelined with a right calf strain since August 17 in the Coppa Italia, when he had to leave the field shortly after scoring the Rossoneri’s first goal of the season.
He seemed likely to return at the start of the month after the international break, but by the week leading up to the Bologna match it was clear his recovery would take longer, as pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Rafael Leao is still training separately, will not travel to Udine today, and now the Napoli match next Sunday becomes his new target. Max’s use of “hopefully” is cautious, although he confirmed Rafa’s recovery “is progressing well.” Milanello is confident of having the number ten at least on the bench for the big match against the Italian champions. Before that, Mike Maignan will return in the Coppa Italia against Lecce on Tuesday.
The French goalkeeper, who left San Siro on crutches after the Bologna match due to a right soleus issue, suffered no injuries and is being rested against Udinese as a precaution, considering his history with that sensitive muscle. "Maignan is fine, calm: he will be in goal against Lecce on Tuesday,” Allegri said. Tonight, Pietro Terracciano will start for Milan for the first time.
