AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has received a crucial fitness boost as we prepare to return to Serie A action on Wednesday.
Following the conclusion of the World Cup break, the Rossoneri resume the season away at Salernitana on Wednesday and Pioli would have been hoping for as close to a full-strength squad as possible at his disposal.
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Unfortunately for us, we’ve picked up more injury concerns during the break in our friendlies, but there was finally some more positive news on Sunday.
As per MilanNews, both Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud completed an entire session with the rest of the group, and so that is a major boost in that the French duo could be available for the game and are pushing for a starting berth.
With two more days to go, there is still time for the pair to continue to prove their fitness, and so it’s hoped that they are indeed available with injuries in those two specific areas of the squad limiting Pioli’s options.
After France reached the final of the World Cup in Qatar, the pair were given an opportunity to rest before reporting back, and so they’ll hopefully have recharged and are prepared to come straight back in.
Giroud has been fundamental for us again so far this season with nine goals and five assists in 19 appearances across all competitions, while Hernandez has been an almost ever-present and has contributed two goals and four assists in 18 outings to go with his defensive duties.
Given the influence that they have for us, it would be huge to have them in the starting XI, particularly with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Divock Origi, Ante Rebic and Fode Ballo-Toure all expected to miss out.
With 15 games gone in the campaign, Milan are looking to close an eight-point gap to league leaders Napoli, and it’s imperative that we have our key players available for as much of the remainder of the season as possible in order to have the best possible chance of successful defending our Serie A crown.