More positive news has emerged regarding Rafael Leao’s chances of being available against Napoli, while Sunday’s opponents have suffered a blow.
Sky report that Sunday night’s big match at San Siro against Napoli is approaching, and the next two days (Thursday and Friday) will be crucial to assessing Leao’s condition. His recovery now appears to be complete, which is the starting point.
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Leao back, Buongiorno out
If all goes well, the Portuguese – who has been out since August 17th – should be available, likely from the bench. The calf issue has medically healed, but the Portuguese winger must now get up to speed from a fitness point of view, without rushing anything.
Peppe Di Stefano, live from Milanello, said: “Between tomorrow and the day after tomorrow pay attention, because these will be crucial days to understand Rafael Leao’s recovery, which now seems to be complete.
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“If everything goes well, if everything goes as planned, Rafa will be available for the match against Napoli, I imagine from the bench. Remember, he’s been out since August 17th, the Coppa Italia match against Bari.
“We’re at practically 40 days since that, so he’ll also need to regain his athletic condition. From a medical standpoint, he’s certainly overcome the calf problem, and as a result, he’ll be an extra player- and what an extra player – at Allegri’s disposal.”
Meanwhile, Sky also report that Alessandro Buongiorno will miss the Milan-Napoli match. The Italian centre-back will be out due to a low-grade tear to the adductor muscle in his left thigh, having undergone a scan this morning.
I doubt that Rafa will be very helpful, after being inactive for 40 days. Even if he comes in for the last 15 minutes, it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to have an impact given that he won’t be game fit. Maybe we should go with Nkunku and Pulisic up front, and after 60 minutes, which apparently is all that Nkunku’s still partial game fitness is able to afford, Gimenez should relieve him. Let’s bring Rafa in more slowly in lesser matches (too bad that the next one is a big one too, Juventus) so that he doesn’t get injured again.
He won’t be match fit but he’ll still be able to terrorize a washed out DiLorenzo in the last 15 minutes.
Agreed!
Leao is more fit than Nkunku even after coming back from a broken leg. That is the reality. Naturally he is more fit than anyone in this team.
Yeah throwing in Nkunku in the 60th and Rafa in the 70th minute against tired Napoli defenders wont be too shabby.
I thought it was Mc Tominay that is out
nkuku , pulisic and gimenz to start , Loftus cheeks and leao introduced later .
We’re moving the ball well in tight spaces near goal. Leao, as breathtaking as he is on open-field counters, is not good in tight spaces near goal. I fear he will gunk up the chemistry. Go with Nkunku and Puli.
Omg. If you are afraid there is nothing to fear of. You aren’t a football professional, you know that chemistry you imagine is just that.