AC Milan will be without Ruben Loftus-Cheek for an extended period of time, and it is a double blow for the club to digest.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, Loftus-Cheek was left ‘bloodied and toothless, with swollen and bruised lips’ after Milan-Parma, but that could also be used to describe how the team feel after a damaging defeat.
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The midfielder’s self-taken photos and social media posts documenting the incident are shocking, as is the impact between the Rossoneri and the opposing goalkeeper just minutes into Sunday afternoon’s match.
The apprehension at San Siro, which was then raised by the Curva Sud’s chants for Ruben as the player was stretchered off, was also unsettling. Loftus-Cheek and Corvi clashed in the air seven minutes into the match, and he remained semi-conscious for the next few minutes.
His team-mates rushed to him, and Rafa Leao was the first to gesture to the bench that an immediate substitution was needed. In the 11th minute, he was replaced by Jashari. RLC has been hospitalised since Sunday evening, but it’s a positive sign that he never lost consciousness.
Under the knife
Yesterday morning, surgery took place, and in the afternoon, the club’s medical bulletin was released. Loftus-Cheek will be out for two months which means he will be back at the end of April, but without the match rhythm of the season’s most intense matches in his legs.
His season isn’t over, though clearly he will have a limited impact from now until May. The former Chelsea man had become a valuable asset in midfield and attack, scoring two goals in two consecutive matches against Bologna and Pisa, and three in total in the league.
Furthermore, Allegri believed Loftus-Cheek and Fofana should have combined to reach the ten-goal mark of the season. They missed that goal without being able to try until the very end. Meanwhile, the coach and the team rallied around ‘Rubes’ with messages and calls.
On his Instagram story, Loftus-Cheek thanked those around him for the support: “It was a tough blow, but the worst is behind me. A heartfelt thanks to all the medical staff who supported me over these past hours with professionalism and care.
“A special thanks to all the fans for your countless messages of love and support: I’ve read them, felt them, and they’ve given me incredible strength. Thanks to my teammates: we are a team, we are a family. Now, forward towards our goals, strong and united. Together.”
More bitterness
The injury could also affect Loftus-Cheek’s future at Milan: his contract expires in the summer of 2027, and these were the crucial months for a renewal. So everything is inevitably back in question, even if it is not his fault.
Adding insult to injury, play on Sunday after the incident resumed with the Gialloblu in possession. The referee Piccinini effectively ruled that Loftus-Cheek had fouled the goalkeeper, rather than the other way around.
After Alexis Saelemaekers’ rabona cross, three men went for the ball: Loftus-Cheek, the goalkeeper Corvi, and Parma defender, Valeri, who reached the ball and headed it clear. At the same time, the Gialloblu goalkeeper crashed into the Rossoneri’s No.8.
That club believe was clearly a penalty for Milan. Given the dynamics and force of the impact, a contact that, according to the hierarchy, would have been a foul in their favour even in rough American football.
It was a moment that could have already changed the game, paving the way for victory. A hypothetical Milan lead after a few minutes may have led to a different outcome. Instead: a foul against the player, out for two months, the game lost, and a renewal up in the air.
I would want us to test Napoli’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
Leao in the penalty box doesn’t work. our lack of midfielders also can be used in our advantage.
the pivot of Rabiot, Modric, Ricci, Jashari and Fofana are more than enough.
the 10s of Leao, Puli, Nkunku, Rabiot* and maybe another addition if RLC leaves and I think he should is solid.
Gimenez can stay and maybe Camarda even tested if Fulkrug isn’t redeemed. while main ST was always on the cards.
The rest stays the same. 4 fullbacks, maybe only upgrade to Estupinan and a CB in the summer
Allegri wont change it until next season or when we qualify for UCL. But, Let me ask about your formation.
I assume Mike and the back 3 are the same as always. Do i assume also Bartesaghi and Saladman are the wingbacks? – If so, The other 2 midfielder position are spread between Rabiot, Modric, Ricci, Jashari and Fofana. yes? 5 players for 2 positions? . I assume the 2 behind the striker are Rafa and Puli (with Nkunku as backup). Upfront Fulklug or whoever we get (Santi at the moment). I mean it could work. Might be too offensive for Allegri. Given the many games some of our guys miss, I wouldnt be opposed to having a Fofana/Rabiot/RLC in the puli/rafa role if the miss time.
It could work but i dont see allegri changing a winning formula until the end of the season. and before everyone says we lost to parma… yes but Allegri’s clear target was top 4 and we hadnt lost in a while. so yes, we currently have a winning formula
It won’t work. It means that Leao will be expected to to more defensive work, and this is like asking a pig to fly. The right formation for this squad is 4-3-3, period. That way Leao is on the left wing where he belongs, Pulisic is on the right where he belongs, and the midfield trio don’t change.
The fact that Milan is even considering a renewal for RLC is such a shame for a player who adds nothing to this team. How my Milan gas fallen
💯
Allegri and the management see something you don’t. Oh and I’ll add the England manager who recalled him recently. But your opinion matters too!
352 will get us Top4 but won’t work in Europe next season, especially with the players and the gaps we have. I hope there’s a plan this coming summer outside of “just qualify for CL every season”…
So true. 💯
Is there? Losing Pulisic would definitely send a message to the fans…
352 would work perfectly fine next year with Lewandoski and Osimhen as the 2 and inserting Calafiori in the 3. Or players of similar quality. Assumes Milan also keep Modric and Rabiot as well.
Lewa & Osi? 😀 😀 😀 😀
WOW!!!! I knew you were stupid but this post REALLY says it all. Oh boy this forum needs the ignore-button and fast! 😀 😀 😀