AC Milan boss Sergio Conceicao has provided an injury update on Rafael Leao ahead of the Italian Super Cup final vs Inter.
The Rossoneri defeated Juventus on Friday to advance to the showpiece event against our city rivals, in what was ultimately a very positive start to the Portuguese tactician’s tenure.
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Despite the vital boost of having the likes of Christian Pulisic and Ismael Bennacer back in the starting line-up, we were still short-handed due to injuries, particularly with Leao’s absence, who is in Saudi Arabia but was deemed not fit enough to feature in this encounter.
Milan face Inter on Monday as we look to secure silverware, and naturally, Conceicao was asked about Leao’s status ahead of that showdown.
“Let’s see,” he told Mediaset after the game, as quoted by MilanNews. ‘Today he did a workout that was close to what is needed from a physical point of view to get closer to working with the team. I don’t think he will be there tomorrow, let’s see the day after tomorrow.”
Although the 25-year-old hasn’t been as consistent as needed so far this season having scored just six goals and provided six assists in 22 appearances, he remains a fundamental figure in our attack.
Particularly with Alex Jimenez deputising for him on the left flank, Milan are missing quality in the final third, and Leao would certainly help to address that with his pace, technical ability and the goal threat that he brings to the team.
In turn, it’s hoped that he can recover in time to feature on Monday, but for all concerned, it’s more important that he doesn’t aggravate the issue and thus risk spending more time on the sidelines, with Conceicao arguably sounding quite cautious and pessimistic in his comments above.
With that in mind, perhaps the sensible option would be to rest him and allow him more time to recover, but the Milan medical staff will undoubtedly make the best decision and we’ll wait and see if he is able to possibly even make the bench at least for the Final.
