Samuel Chukwueze, AC Milan’s Nigerian right winger, has been ruled out of the Europa League trip to Bournemouth because of pain in his left hip. An absence of at least two months is being considered by Sky Sport Italia.
AC Milan will have to do without Samuel Chukwueze for their trip to AFC Bournemouth this Thursday, 22 October at 21:00, in the Europa League league phase. The 26-year-old Nigerian right winger felt sharp pain in his left hip after the Rossoneri’s win over Atalanta Bergamo, according to Goal.com. He missed the final full training session at the Milanello training centre before the European trip, according to BSN Sports.
Head coach Rúben Amorim confirmed his player’s unavailability at the pre-match press conference. “I’m not sure about Chukwueze. His injury is different from Ramos’s. For Ramos, it’s a minor issue; it’s just a precaution. He only felt a little muscle stiffness. But we’re prepared.”, he said, quoted by Goal.com. The coach was keen to distinguish Chukwueze’s situation from that of Gonçalo Ramos, the Portuguese striker with a calf problem whose first scan came back reassuring.
Length of absence still uncertain
While Chukwueze’s absence for the Bournemouth match is confirmed, the exact length of his unavailability remains unclear. Sky Sport Italia journalist Peppe Di Stefano reports that the Nigerian winger’s absence could last a minimum of two months, according to Goal.com.
Samuel Chukwueze is due to undergo in-depth specialist clinical examinations this Thursday to determine the exact severity of the left hip injury, again according to Goal.com.
An already crowded treatment room
The injury comes as the Milan treatment room already counts the long-term absences of Matteo Gabbia, with a thigh tendon problem, and Alexis Saelemaekers, with an ankle injury, both sidelined until 2027, according to Goal.com. The Nigerian winger adds his name to this list of absentees.
The Rossoneri’s schedule does not help: eight matches are scheduled in a period of less than a month, according to ToffeeWeb.
A European campaign already off to a bad start
The trip to Bournemouth comes as AC Milan sit a disappointing 30th in the Europa League league phase after their opening defeat to Benfica Lisbon (2-0), according to ToffeeWeb.
Domestically, Milan are coming off a frustrating 1-1 draw against Sassuolo in Serie A, again according to ToffeeWeb. The match at Bournemouth will be played at the Vitality Stadium this Thursday, 22 October at 21:00.