Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
As AC Milan prepares to face Girona in a important Champions League encounter at San Siro, questions loom over whether or not Rafael Leao should carry the offensive burden alone. Head coach Sergio Conceicao has offered an replace on the health of Christian Pulisic, whose availability stays unsure following a latest damage. Pulisic’s absence might drive Milan to depend on Leao as they search three very important factors to enhance their standing within the match.
Milan at present sits twelfth within the Champions League standings, with 12 factors, one shy of the coveted top-eight spot that ensures an automated bye to the spherical of 16. A win towards Girona would bolster their possibilities of avoiding a playoff draw scheduled for January 30. Regardless of their latest success within the competitors—highlighted by a shocking 3-1 victory over defending champions Actual Madrid in November—the Rossoneri should overcome damage setbacks to key gamers to take care of their momentum.
Christian Pulisic, Milan’s prime scorer and help chief this season with 10 objectives and seven assists throughout all competitions, has been sidelined with a muscle damage he sustained in a latest Serie A win towards Como. Though scans revealed no critical harm, the group has been cautious with the 26-year-old’s restoration.
Talking at a pre-match press convention, Sergio Conceicao addressed Pulisic’s potential involvement. “We’ve got coaching tomorrow [Wednesday] morning; let’s see the way it goes,” stated the Milan coach. “I don’t need to danger dropping him for a month or two. If he’s one hundred pc and can assist, I’ll deliver him to the bench—in any other case, I received’t.”
The USMNT star missed Milan’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus final weekend, and his absence was felt because the membership struggled to create clear-cut alternatives. He additionally missed Tuesday’s coaching session, additional casting doubt on his availability for Wednesday’s sport.
Leao to shoulder Milan’s attacking tasks?
With Pulisic’s standing unsure, a lot of the attacking duty might fall on Rafael Leao. The Portuguese ahead has been in positive type this season, however the absence of his American teammate might make Milan’s assault extra predictable towards a Girona facet determined for factors after back-to-back Champions League defeats.
The Spanish facet enters the match reeling from a 4-0 thrashing by PSV, whereas Milan has received 4 consecutive video games within the competitors following a slim opening loss to Liverpool. Nonetheless, with different accidents affecting the squad, together with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze, the Rossoneri’s depth shall be examined.
Choices for Conceicao
To compensate for Pulisic’s probably absence, Conceicao might flip to a different American ace, Yunus Musah, who has proven promise in adapting to totally different roles inside Milan’s tactical framework. Noah Okafor, not too long ago cleared for motion after his failed exit, might additionally characteristic within the beginning lineup.
Younger abilities like Francesco Camarda might make their mark as Conceicao explores various choices to strengthen his squad. On the defensive facet, accidents to key gamers equivalent to Malick Thiaw and the suspension of Fikayo Tomori add to the membership’s challenges.
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