Tuttosport: Mandzukic working hard to get up to speed – his first start is pencilled in

By Oliver Fisher -

After being inactive for several months, Mario Mandzukic is working hard at Milanello to get back in top form, a report claims.

The striker joined the Rossoneri during the January transfer window, penning a six-month deal with the option for an extension after having previously been a free agent. Having not played competitively since March – and with that having been in Qatar – there have been some doubts about his fitness levels.

According to this morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews), Stefano Pioli is still giving him playing time, but always during the game. On Sunday against Crotone, the Croatian will start again from the bench as he is not yet deemed fit enough to start a game.

However, the paper reports that his first start in the Milan shirt should take place in the Europa League Round of 32 clash against Red Star Belgrade, which would give Zlatan Ibrahimovic some rest ahead of the derby which falls between the two legs.

Tags AC Milan Mario Mandzukic
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