Fofana out vs. Lazio with muscle strain as Sala gets call-up – Allegri’s words

Youssouf Fofana has been a mainstay for AC Milan this season, but he will miss the Coppa Italia game tomorrow night with an injury.

There has been a lot said about Fofana this season and his performances. However, he has been one of Massimiliano Allegri’s most-used players, and the Italian has a lot of trust in the Frenchman, regardless of what others may think.

Last season, this was also the case, with Paulo Fonseca especially using him heavily. So, to see Allegri using him so consistently is not really a shock, especially with the faith in his ability to improve.

Fofana out for Lazio

Against Lazio, though, he will be sidelined with a knock, as Allegri told MilanTV early in his pre-game interview.

“Pulisic is available, Fofana isn’t, and we hope to have him against Sassuolo. Athekame isn’t, and Gimenez isn’t either, and he’s working on his return.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“I need all the players, and it’s important for everyone to be available. The further we go, the more important substitutions become.”

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, imaginably, will take his role in the midfield as the dynamic box-crasher. However, it could also be a chance to see how Emanuele Sala fares in the deep end, especially given that he has now signed a new contract.