The hopes of Italian champions AC Milan of securing a result at Stamford Bridge this coming week have, on Saturday, been dealt a fresh pair of blows.
Stefano Pioli’s troops, of course, are currently locked in action.
In their return to proceedings on the back of the international break, the Rossoneri have made the trip to Florence, for a Serie A meeting with minnows Empoli.
And, despite creating a hatful of presentable goalscoring opportunities thus far, Milan, at the interval, remain deadlocked with their hosts.
Goalless at the break 🙅#EmpoliMilan 0-0 #SempreMilan @Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/6tM6bLEnUh
— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 1, 2022
As alluded to above, though, it is not the scoreline which represents the headline talking point with 45 minutes on the clock at The Stadio comunale Carlo Castellani.
This, instead, comes in the form of a fresh round of fitness blows suffered by the evening’s visitors.
In turn, just days out from a daunting trip to west London to take on Chelsea in the Champions League, the last thing which Stefano Pioli needed was a further pile-up on the injury front.
And yet, this is precisely what the Scudetto holders have been forced to contend with.
After Alexis Saelemaekers was forced to limp out of the action with a muscular issue just beyond the half-hour mark, Davide Calabria followed suit five minutes later, in even more concerning fashion.
⏱️ 39′
Another enforced change 🔄#EmpoliMilan 0-0 #SempreMilan @ENEOSUSA pic.twitter.com/dQIpN5rrsd— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 1, 2022
Both players, as a result, look altogether unlikely to be available for selection at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The story so far: Ranking Manchester City & Manchester United ahead of derby clash
