AC Milan playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu has left AC Milan training in crutches and is now a huge doubt to face Celtic, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Calhanoglu has been in sensational form for the Serie A league leaders this season, securing seven direct goal contributions in seven games (Transfermarkt). He looked like being the obvious threat outside of Zlatan Ibrahimovic for this Thursday’s Europa League group stage opener at Parkhead.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the Turkish international left training with an ankle injury. More is expected to be known this evening about the extent of the knock.
The Italian newspaper states that he left the Milan training base on crutches as more of a precaution than because of pain. They believe he’s now a big doubt for the game against Celtic and Monday night’s Serie A clash vs Roma.
He looks set to be joined by winger Ante Rebic too. Popular outlet Milan News has reported that he will “most likely” miss Thursday night’s game too with an elbow injury.
Some real blows for Milan in the build-up
We’ve always maintained at 67HailHail that we want Milan to be at full strength for their trip to Parkhead. However, that doesn’t look like being the case.
Given the fact the Rossoneri have started with four consecutive Serie A wins, the last thing they’ll want is to have Calhanoglu and Rebic missing for Monday’s home clash against Roma. You would expect Milan would rather take the hit in the Europa League, where they would still have plenty of time to sort any damage that occurs on Thursday.
It would be a shame if the Turk in particular was to miss this one. Given the rich vein of form he’s in, it would’ve been a brilliant challenge for the likes of Scott Brown and Callum McGregor to try and keep him shackled. Or perhaps even David Turnbull if Neil Lennon decides to throw him a bone.
It’s difficult to pinpoint who Milan manager Stefano Pioli would throw in there in his place. The first option that comes to mind is Brahim Diaz, who can operate in a central role and would offer a similar eye for a pass. The former Man City youngster has yet to play in group stage football for his new club, and this could be his chance to shine.
As for Rebic, he’s been out since September’s clash against Crotone in Serie A. His place in the side has already been taken by Rafael Leao, but given Rebic can also play up top, it takes another option away from Pioli ahead of Thursday.
Regardless, we all expect Milan to put an extremely strong side out. They’ll have ambitions to be successful in Europe this season, and they’ll have enough strength in depth to deal with one or two injuries. Calhanoglu’s potential absence, however, is still a huge concern for them.
In other news, Celtic have a glorious chance to send a real defiant message to Rangers over the next five days.
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