GdS: From worry to ‘relief’ – when Leao should return as scans rule out muscle issue

AC Milan received some reassuring news about Rafael Leao after his scans, which ruled out any kind of long-term injury.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report, the tests Leao underwent yesterday give cause for optimism. Two words: no injury. Let’s take things in order: in the 31st minute of Monday night’s match against Torino, he was forced to be substituted due to severe groin pain.

The fear was that he had pulled his right adductor, which would have completely ruled out his participation in the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh before Christmas. There was talk of his 2025 being over, not the ideal New Year celebrations.

Fortunately, the Rossoneri’s statement is optimistic: “The MRI scan the player underwent (…) ruled out any muscle injuries. Leao has already begun the necessary treatments to resolve the inflammatory condition.”

When will he return?

Milan fans celebrated on social media as if it were a goal, but when will Leao be back on the pitch? It’s difficult to say for sure, as the inflammation will be monitored day by day. It could disappear suddenly or last longer than expected.

In any case, it’s unlikely that Leao will be risked for Sunday’s lunchtime match against Sassuolo, also to prevent a worsening of the condition in a particularly sensitive area. There’s confidence though that he will be back for the Supercoppa semi-final on December 18 vs. Napoli, at least on the bench.

It isn’t the first time Leao has been sidelined this season, having suffered a calf problem in the first competitive game of the season against Bari. It seemed like a minor issue, but the Portuguese only returned to the pitch on September 28th, coming off the bench against Napoli.

It was a timely return, because shortly thereafter, his team-mate Christian Pulisic was taken out of action after an injury while playing for his national team. In total, Rafa has scored five goals in ten league games. A good haul considering he’s played just 660 minutes, 52% of those available.

Allegri is still waiting to see him in action alongside Pulisic, in what is the designated attacking pairing since the summer friendlies that has virtually never started in the league (except in the derby). Even against Sassuolo, only one of the two stars will likely be available. So who will start?

Against Torino, Christopher Nkunku played the full 90 minutes for the first time since joining Milan. The first half was far from satisfactory, but the Frenchman showed tentative signs of improvement in the second half, combining well with Pulisic.

Allegri also has the option of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the man for all rules. At the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, the Englishman started as a central midfielder, then moved forward after Leao’s injury, and finally finished as a right wing-back.

And Santiago Gimenez? On the eve of the match against the Granata, Allegri had hoped to have the Mexican back this week, who was sidelined with a left ankle problem. Santi has been sidelined since the end of October, so even if he recovered, he would be on the bench.