Milan steps into the weekend with momentum, stress, and one obvious query surrounding Santiago Gimenez. Because the membership prepares for an additional decisive Serie An evening at San Siro in opposition to a Lazio aspect slowly rediscovering its rhythm, the Mexican striker’s absence has turn out to be one of the mentioned storylines throughout Italian soccer. The Rossoneri enter the match with confidence after a derby triumph. On the similar time, Lazio arrives seeking consistency — but the thriller surrounding Gimenez hovers over each groups because the Rossoneri chase the highest of the desk.
This recreation comes at a decisive second within the championship. Milan, using excessive after a 1-0 win over Inter sealed by Christian Pulisic’s second-half strike, stays unbeaten for 12 straight matches in all competitions. Massimiliano Allegri’s defensive wall, led by Mike Maignan, turned the derby into a press release efficiency — the sort of success that renews a squad’s perception in its Scudetto ambitions.
The Biancocelesti, in the meantime, sit eighth within the standings. The capital membership beat Lecce 2-0 final week and has recorded 5 clear sheets in its earlier six matches, regardless of a turbulent begin outlined by a switch embargo and early-season accidents. Maurizio Sarri’s males journey to San Siro with momentum, but in addition with considerations: they’ve gone almost 300 minutes with out scoring away from house. The storyline, nonetheless, has shifted dramatically—not due to type, however as a result of Milan shall be lacking a key attacking piece.
Why Santiago Gimenez is absent
Midweek, Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that Santiago Gimenez has been dominated out. The coach defined that the Mexican striker stays unavailable as a result of he’s “nonetheless a number of days from getting again to full coaching” resulting from a lingering situation that has worsened in latest weeks. Based on La Gazzetta dello Sport, the ahead is recovering from an ankle downside that had quietly restricted him for months — the very situation that lastly compelled him to cease.
Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates together with his teammate
Gimenez himself revealed the extent of the wrestle when he addressed followers immediately on Instagram earlier this month. In a message that surprised many, he admitted: “For a number of months, I’ve been enjoying with an ankle damage that hasn’t allowed me to be 100% match or comfy on the pitch. I continued to assist the crew, however the ache elevated: the time has come to cease.”
This paints a really completely different image of the attacker’s underwhelming performances since his January arrival. What many assumed was adaptation issue was, in reality, an damage he saved hidden for the sake of the crew.
Setback that explains all the things
The small print launched by each the participant and coach underline the seriousness of the situation. His father, Christian Gimenez, confirmed earlier {that a} knock suffered in opposition to Atalanta on October 28 worsened the problem, turning a manageable discomfort right into a persistent downside.
The membership expects him to return subsequent week, doubtlessly in time for the December 8 fixture in opposition to Torino. However Milan’s medical crew plans to take no dangers. With busy months forward — together with Coppa Italia and the Italian Tremendous Cup — the objective is full restoration, not short-term fixes.
