As Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez, and Joao Felix prepare for a pivotal Serie A fixture against Bologna, Milan will have to navigate the clash without a key attacking weapon. The Rossoneri, enjoying a modest resurgence with two wins from their last three league matches and a place in the Coppa Italia final, are chasing momentum—but will do so with one eye on the silverware showdown looming just days later.
Despite a 2-1 win at Genoa on Monday, Milan remains ninth in Serie A, locked in a frustrating domestic campaign that has left European qualification hinging on their Coppa Italia final against Bologna on May 14. That final represents more than a shot at a trophy—it may be the club’s last viable path to Europa League action next season. Still, the importance of maintaining rhythm before that match cannot be overstated.
That delicate balance was upended when Youssouf Fofana went down injured after half an hour at the Luigi Ferraris. The away bench responded by calling upon Rafael Leao, who had initially been left out of the starting eleven by head coach Sergio Conceicao. What followed was both a rescue act and a repercussion.
Leao immediately swung the game in his side’s favor, equalizing in the 75th minute with a deflected strike before forcing the own goal from Genoa’s Morten Frendrup that sealed all three points.
But eight minutes from time, the Portuguese forward received a yellow card for a foul on Vitinha—his fifth booking of the Serie A campaign, triggering a one-match suspension. That means he will miss Milan’s next league match against Bologna, which is ironically the same opponent they face again five days later in the Coppa Italia final.
Who replaces Leao—and what it means for Milan
With Leao suspended and Riccardo Sottil unavailable as well, Sergio Conceicao must now reconsider his attacking options. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the one who initially filled in for Leao against Genoa, but if Fofana’s injury persists, the Englishman may be pushed back into his preferred midfield role.
That scenario could lead to Christian Pulisic shifting to the left wing, with Samuel Chukwueze, Yunus Musah, or even Alex Jimenez deployed on the right. It’s a rotation that could stretch Milan’s width and creativity, particularly in the absence of the unpredictable and explosive Leao.
There’s no doubt Milan’s staff had already been contemplating resting the Portuguese winger ahead of the cup final. “Conceicao had already made the decision to rest Leao,” noted La Gazzetta, “and would have put even fewer minutes in Rafa’s legs if not for the injury to Fofana.” Yet soccer, as ever, forced a change of plans.
While missing the 25-year-old star on Friday is a blow, it might not be a disaster. His suspension now guarantees a full week of rest, positioning him to be fully fit and fresh for what could be the defining match of Milan’s season: the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico.
It’s worth noting that all eight of Leao’s Serie A goals this season have come away from San Siro, including one already at the Olimpico against Lazio—perhaps a good omen for the showdown against Bologna.
