Mazzara: Why Milan are not worried about Saelemaekers, Rabiot and Leao

The international break is a blessing and a curse. It provides a break, but it also creates a void which AC Milan cannot fill, so worry does.

After the draw with Juventus, Milan fans were left rueing those missed chances, which could have kept the club at the top of Serie A. Of course, they happen, and they could have happened in worse circumstances.

However, they have been and gone, kind of, with other things filling that void, namely the international football.

Milan not worried

It is fair to say, though, that many would have preferred the conversations about missing chances, rather than missing players. As of Monday morning, there are three worries for the weekend: Rafael Leao, who has returned early; Adrien Rabiot, who will miss training with France; and Alexis Saelemaekers, who is awaiting a scan.

However, it seems the Rossoneri are not worried about any of the trio, as Pietro Mazzara writes for MilanNews.

“The international break has a unique ability to generate anxiety and terror among club fans. And AC Milan fans have not been spared the fear of receiving negative news about their players. And somehow, it has arrived.

“Alexis Saelemaekers has a problem with his right flexor and will undergo routine tests in the next 24-48 hours. There were no negative sensations immediately following the injury or in the days leading up to it, but only the medical reports will be able to tell us with certainty how long he will be out.

“A prognosis of 10-12 days is certainly an option, but Dr Mazzoni will decide how long Alexis will be sidelined.

“Adrien Rabiot was uninjured, except for a knock he picked up in training. There are no reports of any concerns regarding the French international and AC Milan pairing, and if he doesn’t play, so much the better.

“It’s fair to assume so, and that he could be fit against Fiorentina on Sunday evening. Rafa Leao is also uninjured, with Martinez’s decision to leave him out of the match against Hungary certainly having pleased Allegri, who will be able to work on him further throughout the week at Milanello, hoping Leao’s form improves further.

“Because now we’re entering the first critical phase of the year, the one in which points are starting to matter more than they did during the first two stints of the season.