Milan had a double dose of bad news in their Champions League opener against Newcastle United, losing both Mike Maignan and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to muscular injuries.
This is an extremely difficult group completed by Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Stefano Pioli’s men were frustrated at San Siro, including seven shots on target in the first half to zero.
It got worse after the break, as with the scoreline still at 0-0, Loftus-Cheek went off with a muscular issue.
He was followed onto the treatment table not long after by Maignan, who pulled up and called to the bench for a substitution.
According to Sky Sport Italia pitchside reporters, Maignan was complaining of a flexor problem rather than the calf muscle.
That might be more reassuring, considering the calf would’ve been a relapse of the issues that kept him out for several months last season.
Maignan was replaced in goal for the final 10 minutes plus stoppages by veteran Marco Sportiello.
Maignan is off for his customary holiday. He will now go missing for at least three months. Both of the last seasons he has tapped out early.
As for Ruben – you can rely on him to stay fit in the same way you can rely on a pyramid scheme to get you your money back.