Milan and Massimiliano Allegri breathed a big sigh of relief yesterday afternoon when the test results arrived for Rafael Leao after the muscle issue that forced him off the pitch on Monday during the match away to Torino. After the match, there was strong concern because many feared a strain that would have kept him out for several weeks, and the MRI fortunately ruled out any damage.
Confidence for the Supercoppa.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports this morning that the Portuguese winger has already begun treatment to address the inflammation. The question every Milan fan asks is simple: When will he return to the pitch? Hard to say with precision, because the inflammation will be monitored day by day. He will not be risked on Sunday at 12.30 against Sassuolo, but there is belief he will be available on 18 December for the Supercoppa Italiana semifinal against Napoli in Saudi Arabia. It remains to be seen if he starts or comes on later, but he is expected to be on the flight to Riyadh.
Toward Sassuolo.
On Sunday against Sassuolo, Allegri will be without the Portuguese forward, but he hopes to recover Santiago Gimenez at least for a bench role, after his ankle issue that has sidelined him since late October. Against the neroverdi, Christian Pulisic will start again and will be joined by either Christopher Nkunku or Ruben Loftus-Cheek. In the second half against Torino, the Frenchman showed small positive signs and linked well with the American. The next match might be the one where he breaks through in Serie A.
