Today we can say something that we have not been able to say for the best part of half a year: Ismael Bennacer might play in AC Milan’s next game.
Work continues at Milanello in view of Saturday evening’s game at San Siro against Frosinone, and MilanNews report that confirmations have arrived regarding the proximity of Bennacer’s return to action.
There is a tangible possibility that he will be called up for the Serie A match against the Ciociari and a decision will be made in the next few hours. The Algerian midfielder’s recovery from surgery is complete and he is building up fitness, having trained with the squad for two weeks now.
If he were to play on Saturday, he would take the field 206 days after the last time which was 10 May 2023, the day of the first leg of the Euroderby against Inter. Ismael came off in the 18th minute, leaving the pitch in pain after an unnatural twist of his knee and was replaced by Junior Messias.
Six days later, i.e. on 16 May, Milan issued the following statement: ‘AC Milan announces that this morning, in Lyon, Ismaël Bennacer underwent arthroscopy of his right knee. The repair of the chondral lesion was successfully carried out by Doctor Bertrand Sonnery Cottet in the presence of the Rossoneri Medical Area Manager Stefano Mazzoni. Recovery times are estimated at at least 6 months’.
Six months later, here we are. It will then depend on Stefano Pioli to decide whether to give him minutes or not, but the feeling is that he will be a part of the squad this weekend which in itself will be a fantastic sight.
INJURED
Marco Sportiello (calf), Kjaer (fatigue), Kalulu (femoral tendon), Pellegrino (calcaneal bone fracture), Leao (biceps femoris), Okafor (biceps femoris), Thiaw (biceps femoris myotendinous injury).
Giroud DISQUALIFIED
I just can’t but get the impression that they’re slightly rushing him. I hope it doesn’t backfire.
Kjaer, fatigue lol. Just retire already dude.
He is supposed to be called up. He won’t start. And it will take some time to get minutes in his legs and also to develop chemistry with the new midfield. But I’m excited to watch it develop with Reijnders and RLC.