has a slight strain. Pioli’s plan and the weight of Giroud-Corriere.it

At noon yesterday the term «elongation» was among the most searched words on the web in Italy according to Google Trend: AC Milan had recently communicated the results of the exams to Rafa Leao’s adductor and the official note spoke precisely of elongation, which in fact it is a slight stretch. Translation: the chances that the striker will be there for Wednesday’s first leg of the Euroderby are slim, while more optimism filters through for the return of Tuesday 16 May. No serious injuries, therefore, as already understood on Saturday evening, but it is clear that there is very little time for a complete recovery. Above all because there is really no need to force it, since the risk of relapses is high.

In short: not good news for Stefano Pioli. The evolution of the clinical picture will be monitored daily, Rafael will be subjected to day-to-day treatments, in an attempt to recover him in extremis perhaps for the bench, but better not get too many illusions.

“We’ll be back surfing soon,” the player wrote in the morning on social media, even if the ultrasound then showed that the injury exists and cannot be underestimated. At this point, with healthy realism, Pioli has already started working on plan B. Even if it is clear that Rafael’s absence risks being very heavy, because in fact he is irreplaceable: there is a Milan with Leao and one without. And the difference is huge.

Also for this reason, the manager Paolo Maldini is right to accelerate the renewal of the contract: optimism is growing, now that an agreement is being found between Lille and Sporting Lisbon to resolve the problem of the fine of 20 million. Leao has only missed two games this season and suffered two defeats: the first against Napoli in September, due to his expulsion with Sampdoria, the second against Fiorentina in early March, again due to disqualification.

«We can also do well without him» Pioli made it clear after the clear victory over Lazio on Saturday, obtained in fact without the contribution of the Portuguese full-back, who left the field after just 10 minutes. On Wednesday in the Champions League we could see Alexis Saelemaekers in his position, who entered well with the Biancocelesti, with the right mind, putting what he has on the field: running, determination, character. On that side he will have to deal with Denzel Dumfries, so there will also be work in the cover phase. A game of sacrifice is needed. The Belgian, while never having shown exceptional talent, has already given proof of reliability in that sense. And what’s more, now he has also finally started to score: his goal in the 98th minute that saved Milan from defeat at the Olimpico against Roma.

Alternatively there is Ante Rebic, more offensive, but this year is a shadow of itself. The weight of the attack will be entirely on the shoulders of Diaz and Giroud. In short: Rafa’s probable absence is very heavy, it shouldn’t be an alibi. Even if it remains the umpteenth proof of the fact that Milan, unlike Inter for example, has a squad that is far too short to compete at a high level in the long term. A construction defect that will be corrected this summer. gplaying fifty games a year, you need reservists up to par. Otherwise it’s tough.