Milan manager Stefano Pioli has confirmed that the Rossoneri will be without Algerian midfielder Ismael Bennacer for the upcoming Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie against Tottenham.
Bennacer has been missing from action due to an injury that he picked up before Milan’s loss in the Milan derby to Inter and he was also unavailable from their recent win over Torino in Serie A. While it was expected that the midfielder could be back for the game against Spurs, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Ahead of the game on Tuesday, Pioli spoke to the press and he was asked about Bennacer and whether he would be available for the game against the Premier League giants.
The Milan boss said: “He trained with us but he’s not 100% and we can’t risk it. He won’t be there.”
Bennacer has been a vital player for Milan in the season and otherwise and he only signed a new contract with the Rossoneri recently. And during his time in England with the Arsenal youth side and due to his connection with the Gunners, the midfielder would be well aware of the rivalry that exists between the two London outfits.
Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN
