Ismael Bennacer’s recovery process has been a long one, but his return to the field opens up more possibilities for Stefano Pioli and AC Milan’s midfield.
MilanNews recall how it was back on Wednesday 10 May 2023 that Milan played Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. In the 18th minute Bennacer got hurt and was forced off due to injury, with the tests showing cartilage damage that was so bad it needed surgery and a six-month period of absence.
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Fast-forward to Saturday 2 December 2023, Bennacer was back. In the 79th minute Pioli brought the midfield on 206 days after his injury to see out the remainder of a thankfully comfortable win against Frosinone.
Bennacer’s recovery path is inspirational in truth. It began over the initial months with gym work until late, when everyone else had left, to strengthen himself again. From operation to rehabilitation, from fears to the commitment to come back stronger than before in no time, it has been a mental journey as well as physical.
The Algerian actually returned to playing much earlier than expected (according to Dr. Mazzoni he accelerated by at least a month), gradually joining the team group training sessions at Milanello, up to the approximately 15 minutes played against Frosinine.
Now that he is actually back on the pitch, Bennacer is ready to progressively put minutes into his legs and fully enter Pioli’s rotations. Once the 26-year-old is 100% fit, it will be very difficult for anyone else to steal his place.
What can Bennacer bring to Milan’s completely revamped midfield this year? The last time with the former Empoli star on the pitch from the start (that game against Inter), Milan had the Tonali-Krunic duo in front of the defence and Bennacer in the attacking midfield spot.
Now, with the arrival of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, it would be logical to imagine that of the three midfielders it will be the Englishman who will occupy the most advanced position, with Tijjani Reijnders like Tonali and Bennacer like… Bennacer.
Isma will return to direct traffic with his quality both in passing and dribbling, while he will endeavour to stop opposing attacks with running and sacrifice.
Once Milan find a worthy regista to play behind Bennacer they depth of quality in the midfield will be complete. Musah can come on for RLC and Adli can come on for Reijnders. An absolute beast of a midfield.
Adli has yet to find the perfect position. He hasn’t shone in any position he’s played so far. But Reijnders Bennacer tandem seems stellar.