AC Milan Star’s Injury Deals Blow in Champions League Clash Against Liverpool
AC Milan’s Champions League campaign has been hit with a major setback as midfielder Ismael Bennacer faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury. The Serie A giants confirmed that Bennacer had undergone surgery on a calf injury just a day before their crucial clash against Liverpool.
Bennacer, who suffered the injury while training with the Algeria national team during the international break, returned to Milan for further tests. It was determined that surgery was necessary to address the issue, with the operation being successfully performed in Finland by Dr Lasse Lempainen.
The 26-year-old midfielder is now facing a recovery period estimated to be around four months, meaning he will be unavailable for selection for a significant portion of Milan’s season. This comes as a significant blow to Milan boss Paulo Fonseca, who will now have to find alternative options in midfield for the upcoming Champions League fixture against Liverpool at the San Siro.
Milan’s recent Serie A victory over Venezia saw Fonseca deploy Tijjani Reijnders, Youssouf Fofana, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield, indicating potential options to fill the void left by Bennacer’s absence. However, the absence of such a key player will undoubtedly be felt as Milan look to make an impact in Europe’s premier club competition.
Liverpool, too, are dealing with injury concerns in midfield ahead of the clash against Milan. Young talent Harvey Elliott is sidelined with a fractured foot and is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks. This presents a challenge for Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who may have to turn to alternative options in midfield in the absence of Elliott.
On a positive note, Curtis Jones recently made his return from injury with a substitute appearance against Forest, providing Slot with another midfield option for the upcoming fixtures. Additionally, there is anticipation surrounding the potential debut of Federico Chiesa for Liverpool, especially as the team travels to Italy to face Milan.
Chiesa’s inclusion could provide a boost to Liverpool’s attacking options, adding another dimension to their play against tough opposition in the Champions League. With both teams dealing with key injuries in midfield, the upcoming clash promises to be a closely contested affair with both sides looking to secure a vital victory in the group stages.
As fans eagerly anticipate the showdown between AC Milan and Liverpool, there is also an opportunity to catch the action for free. Prime Video is broadcasting one Champions League game every game week for Amazon Prime members, including the upcoming fixtures involving Liverpool against AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen.
For those who are not yet Prime members, there is the option to sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the live coverage of the Champions League games. Additionally, every Champions League and Europa League game is available on TNT Sports via Prime Video’s Discovery+ channel, providing fans with ample opportunities to follow their favorite teams in European competition.
With the stage set for an exciting clash between two European heavyweights, the absence of key players due to injury adds an element of unpredictability to the match. Both AC Milan and Liverpool will be looking to make a statement in the Champions League, and the upcoming fixture could prove to be a pivotal moment in their respective campaigns.