Calciomercato.com reports that Loftus-Cheek has a minor groin injury. He entered the game against Lazio in the 29th minute owing to a problem in the pubic/adductor area, and today he underwent a scan to determine the severity of the injury.
Thankfully, the MRI revealed nothing dangerous, and no additional tests are planned (unlike Rade Krunic, who must have another check in a few days). Instead, the development of Loftus-Cheek’s health will be watched daily.
Despite the day-to-day status, Loftus-Cheek will not be available for the matches against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League (Wednesday 4 October, 9pm) and almost certainly also against Genoa in the league (Saturday 7 October, 8.45pm).
What this does mean though is that he will have the international break to work at Milanello and get back to his best, just in time for the huge games against Juventus, PSG and Napoli.
AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli did not rule out the possibility of reverting back to the system that saw his side win the Scudetto.
Moving into the 2023-24 campaign there were some question marks about whether Pioli might ditch the concept of playing with an outright attacking midfielder and a double pivot in favour of a midfield three.
The signs in preseason suggested that the Rossoneri would be using a 4-3-3 and the signings that followed for the department – mainly box-to-box players – certified the intention to add a bit of physicality to the central areas.
Pioli spoke during his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game against Lazio and he was asked by one of the reporters if there is the possibility of Milan switching back to a 4-2-3-1 system.
“I’m thinking about it because Pulisic is well and in midfield we have five for six places,” he said.
“Then I like Loftus-Cheek as a mezzala, these are things that need to be tested a bit. At the moment we are working on other solutions, but the 4-2-3-1 during the game is an option.”
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