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AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli sweating over Rafael Leao fitness ahead of Champions League clash with Inter Milan

AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao went off during his side’s clash with Lazio on Saturday and is doubtful for their Champions League game with Inter Milan on Wednesday.

According to Sky Sport (via Football Italia), manager Stefano Pioli is sweating over the fitness of his star attacker.

Pioli will wait till the morning of the game before deciding whether to start the Portuguese international. He wants to see whether the winger can recover in time.

Leao received treatment for the knock today. The 23-year-old did not join his teammates for a training session at Milanello. 

However, there is a slight chance the former Lille star will be fit for the derby match.

Olivier Giroud and Pioli will appear at the press conference tomorrow, where the manager will shed more light on the situation.

Leao is Milan’s talisman after leading them to last season’s Serie A title. He scored 11 goals and assisted eight as the Rossoneri grabbed their first Scudetto in 11 years.

He has scored 12 goals and assisted seven more in the league this season. Leao has also helped them reach the Champions League semi-final, bagging one goal and three assists.


Pioli will hope to have his instrumental winger fit to face the dangerous Nerazzurris.

Inter Milan have picked up form recently, winning four straight games. They defeated Juventus, Lazio, AS Roma and Verona.

Inter defeated Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana and knocked them out of the Coppa Italia.

They have taken fourth place in Serie A and could do further damage by eliminating their fierce rivals from Europe’s premier competition.

Alexis Saelemaekers will likely replace Leao on Wednesday if he does not recover in time. The Belgian was excellent in the recent 2-0 win over Lazio.

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