Ahead Of The Milan Derby, Pioli Is Dizzy With 3 Of His Mainstay Players Missing

Stefano Pioli / Instagram acmilan

JAKARTA - AC Milan plays away to the headquarters of city rivals, Inter Milan on Sunday, February 6. However, ahead of the match titled the Milan derby, Stefano Pioli actually made him dizzy.

The AC Milan coach had to rack his brains because three of his mainstay players were confirmed to be absent due to injury. The three mainstays are Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic, and Fikayo Tomori.

Losing Ibrahimovic is enough to make Pioli dizzy. Although no longer young, the Swedish striker has contributed greatly to Milan's front lines. Moreover, Rebic, who used to be Pioli's option to back up Ibrahimovic, was also injured.

"Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) and Ante (Rebic) are not available. Ibra's absence is an annoyance. However, we have shown that we can do well without him," Pioli told Football Italia.

“Ante (who can best) take over. But he injured his ankle at the weekend and he hasn't recovered. We hope he comes back soon because he can be decisive for us."

As for Tomori, this player is also believed to still have to step aside even though his condition has gradually improved. The loss of the English defender made Milan's defense even more fragile because Simon Kjaer was also absent until the end of the season.

"He (Tomori) is working very hard to recover his fitness. Tomori has worked hard and will be on the pitch, but I don't think he will play," concluded Pioli.

This one-city club meeting will be on the agenda for the 24th week of the Italian League 2021/2022. Milan and Inter will meet at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday, February 6 at 00.00 CEST.