Milan have a new problem on their hands, as mainstay defender Fikayo Tomori looks to have sustained an injury in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 tie at the San Siro, to add to the already-long list of absentees from Stefano Pioli’s ranks.
The ex-Chelsea stopper sustained the knee injury minutes after Genoa took the lead in the 17th minute from Leo Ostigard’s thumping header and then was eventually drawn off, allowing Pierre Kalulu to take the center-back position, while substitute Alessandro Florenzi took charge of the right flank.
⏱️ 24' ?@fikayotomori_ is forced off through injury. @Florenzi takes the Englishman's place.#MilanGenoa 0-1#CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa #SempreMilan @ENEOSUSA pic.twitter.com/pU4UlLbO5W
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 13, 2022
The Englishman only just returned to pitch after a lengthy absence due to COVID-19, but he lasted for just 20 odd minutes before feeling discomfort inside of his left knee.
Speaking to Sky Sport 24 (via MilanNews), transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio shed light on Milan’s plans for defensive reinforcements, citing two names as potential transfers.
He said: “It remains to be seen. They will have to understand how Tomori, who came out with a left knee resentment, is going tomorrow, and understand if he will push Milan to accelerate even more for signing a defender. If Tomori’s injury were to leave him out for a few games, then Milan would need to grit their teeth and go to Manchester United for Bailly or PSG for Diallo.”
Tomori’s knee issue adds to the Milan’s injury woes list, joining in the likes of Simon Kjaer, Alessio Romagnoli, Franck Kessie, Davide Calabria, Ismael Bennacer and a couple of others.
?️ Stefano #Pioli to #Mediaset: "Tomori felt discomfort in his knee and could not play. #Tomori is a very important player for us. Tomorrow he will be tested but we hope it is not serious. I hope to have him on Monday because we have other absences." pic.twitter.com/VnITYEBW3P
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) January 13, 2022
It remains to be seen how long the 24-year-old will be sidelined for, or even if it is a minor knock or a major setback. He will be subject to further tests before his condition is evaluated.