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AC Milan Grapple With Defensive Woes Ahead Of Clash With Newcastle United
As the anticipation builds for the crucial Champions League clash between AC Milan and Newcastle United, injury woes loom large for the Italian giants, particularly in their defensive lineup.
The stage is set for a pivotal encounter where both teams aim to secure their passage to the knockout stages. With the Magpies requiring a victory against Milan while hoping for Paris Saint-Germain’s stumble against Borussia Dortmund, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides.
However, as reported by Football Italia, AC Milan faces a defensive crisis, notably in the central backline. Fiyako Tomori is the sole fit central defender, leaving Stefano Pioli with a severe shortage in that critical area. Despite hopes for Simon Kjaer’s return, the Danish international trained separately, diminishing prospects of his inclusion even on the substitutes’ bench.
The unavailability of other defensive options—Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu, and Mattia Caldara—further compounds Milan’s defensive concerns due to injuries.
Consequently, Pioli may partner left-back Theo Hernandez with Tomori and draft Alessandro Florenzi into the full-back position to mitigate the defensive setback.
In other injury updates, Noah Okafor and Marco Sportiello remain sidelined, yet pivotal attacker Rafael Leao has been declared fit. Leao’s return to the lineup, alongside former Premier League stalwarts Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic, shapes a formidable three-man attacking force for Milan.
On the contrary, Newcastle United welcomed back Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff in their recent encounter against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the return of key players, the Magpies continue to grapple with injuries, sidelining the likes of Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, and Sven Botman.
As the clash nears, both teams brace for a high-stakes encounter, with Milan battling significant defensive setbacks while Newcastle aims to capitalize on their opponent’s vulnerabilities to secure a vital victory in their quest for Champions League progression.
