Milan director Ricky Massara explains they had to ‘fight hard with Chelsea’ to get an option to buy on Fikayo Tomori, but probably won’t get another left-back.

The game with Atalanta kicks off at 17.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

Mario Mandzukic and Tomori arrived this week, while ex-Torino midfielder Soualiho Meite starts against Atalanta.

Milan director Ricky Massara explains they had to ‘fight hard with Chelsea’ to get an option to buy on Fikayo Tomori, but probably won’t get another left-back.

The game with Atalanta kicks off at 17.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

Mario Mandzukic and Tomori arrived this week, while ex-Torino midfielder Soualiho Meite starts against Atalanta.

“Milan want to compete to the end on all three competitions, so especially in a season like this where there are more injuries due to the packed fixture list and the COVID variable too, we want to give the coach as many options to choose from as possible,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.

Are the Rossoneri still seeking an understudy to Theo Hernandez at left-back, for instance Junior Firpo?

“I think for now the entries in this transfer window have terminated. We’ll see over the next 10 days if there are any other opportunities, but realistically, we’re done now.

“We’ve had to face some emergency situations due to injuries, bans and COVID, so the coach had to create solutions and find new aspects to players in different roles. It’s going to be wide open to the end in the race for a Champions League spot, so we want to be in a position to give our all throughout the campaign.”

Tomori is the latest arrival from Chelsea, on loan with option to buy for a reported €30m.

“Whenever we sign a player on loan, we always try to get an option to buy. We had to fight pretty hard with Chelsea to get that option on Tomori.

“We believe he is versatile and suits our style of football, so he brings characteristics in his aggression and pace that some of our other players in those roles don’t have in quite the same way.

“We consider our defence complete with these players and trust we can continue well with this squad. It’s tough from tonight, of course, as Atalanta are capable of troubling any opponent.”

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