Milan forward Rafael Leao is unlikely to be fit for the final two games of 2021, leaving the Rossoneri with limited options up front.
The 22-year-old Portuguese striker has not yet fully recovered from the muscle injury suffered during the 2-0 win over Salernitana earlier this month, which later was discovered to be a strong thigh contusion.
Recent tests have shown that Leao’s injury has not fully healed yet and so the hopes of having him back for the final two games of the year against Napoli and Empoli looks slim.
Calciomercato.com highlighted how this leaves Milan with limited options up front, with veteran striker Olivier Giroud only just returning to the squad after suffering a muscle injury himself.
Ante Rebic and Pietro Pellegri are both sidelined until January as well, forcing coach Stefano Pioli to tinker with his forward line for the upcoming two matches.
Leao is not expected to recover until the new year, with the hope being that he’ll be fit in time to face Roma on January 6.
It’s a tough start to the year for Milan, with the Rossoneri facing Juventus on January 23 before having the derby against Simone Inzaghi’s Inter on February 6.