Allegri makes major Leao decision for Milan vs. Verona

Massimiliano Allegri has decided to leave Rafael Leao out of his matchday squad for Milan’s upcoming Serie A match against Hellas Verona, which leaves him slightly short on options in the attacking department, despite the recent arrival of Niclas Fullkrug. 

Milan are hoping to get back to winning ways in Serie A following a 2-0 defeat by eventual champions Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final in Saudi Arabia last week. 

Leao did not feature in the Super Cup, following an injury that he picked up during the first half of a 3-2 victory against Torino earlier in December. There had been hopes that he would be fit and available to return against Verona on Sunday, but Allegri has confirmed that this will be one game too soon. 

“I think the attack has the quality to do well, even tomorrow when Leao will not be able to play and won’t be called up,” Allegri said during his pre-match press conference on Saturday. 

Allegri explained: “He has this discomfort which means he can’t spring at full speed. I preferred to leave him at home because part-time players are not helpful.” 

Milan have already brought in a new striker ahead of the January transfer window: Niclas Fullkrug arrived in the city of Milan on the evening of the December 22nd, had his medical tests on the 23rd and then trained with his new teammates for the first time on December 24th. 

The German will not be eligible to feature for Milan until his transfer is formally processed when the window opens on January 2, though. 

“He has characteristics that we don’t currently have in the team,” Allegri said when asked about Fullkrug during his press conference. 

“My first observation is that he’s smiling and is very happy to be here in Milan. He is behind in his condition, he needs to work. He’ll get minutes into his legs this week and he can be there with us against Cagliari.”