AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has, on Friday evening, provided an update on the wellbeing of star attacker Rafael Leao.
The subject of wide-man Leao’s fitness, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines on the red half of the Milanese divide over the course of the last week.
This comes after the Portuguese international – just four days out from the first-leg of the club’s Champions League semi-final clash with fierce rivals Inter – limped out of the Rossoneri’s crunch Serie A showdown with Lazio.
Leao, in turn, was ultimately forced to sit out Milan’s biggest fixture of the season.
And, safe to say, his absence was sorely felt, as a toothless Diavolo outfit were put to the sword by two goals to nil.
The spectacular goals continue to flow in the #UCL
Edin Dzeko volleys Inter in front before Henrikh Mkhitaryan finishes off a well-worked move to put his side in dreamland after 11 minutes 🔵⚫️
🎬 @btsportfootball #MilanInter pic.twitter.com/kw0aPPqopO
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 10, 2023
Ahead of next week’s return leg, all associated with Milan have, as a result, been awaiting an update on the status of their attacking talisman with bated breath.
Speaking to MilanTV a short time ago, Rossoneri head coach Stefano Pioli confirmed that Leao will play no part tomorrow evening, when his side make the trip to the Stadio Alberto Picco for a Serie A meeting with Spezia.
The 23-year-old is, however, expected to mark his return to group training on Sunday, meaning he should be available to feature from the off in next Tuesday’s Milan Derby return leg.
“Leao won’t play vs Spezia, but on Sunday he should be back in the group and available for the second leg vs Inter.”
🗣️ Pioli to MilanTV 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/yKT8vwsjRj
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) May 12, 2023
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