AC Milan have been hit by a double injury blow on the eve of their Europa League trip to Bournemouth, with Goncalo Ramos and Samuel Chukwueze both ruled out of Thursday night's game at the Vitality Stadium.
Ramos started Wednesday morning's training session at Milanello with the rest of the squad but suffered a calf muscle overload and left the training ground visibly upset. Chukwueze, meanwhile, was absent from the session altogether with a hip problem.
Ramos faces tests on Thursday
According to Football Italia, the Portugal striker will undergo medical tests on Thursday to establish whether there is muscle damage or simply fatigue. Either way, he will not be called up for the Bournemouth match and will not travel with the team.
Ramos has scored three goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain, and he found the net off the bench in Milan's 4-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg last week. Losing him removes Ruben Amorim's most experienced option through the middle.
Chukwueze fears a longer absence
The news on Chukwueze could be worse. The Nigeria winger complained of hip discomfort after Sunday's win over Atalanta, missed the final session before the flight to England and now needs a specialist check, as SempreMilan reported. Reports suggest a lengthy absence is feared, with some in Italy warning he could face months on the sidelines.
With Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers already out and Filippo Terracciano suspended after his red card against Salzburg, Milan's squad suddenly looks thin for a game they need to win to push into the top eight.
Who leads the line at Bournemouth?
Francesco Camarda is in line to lead the attack, which would be the young Italian's second consecutive start in the Europa League. La Gazzetta dello Sport's predicted line-up, however, tipped Alphadjo Cisse to start up front, underlining just how much rotation Amorim is expected to make.
Bournemouth, by contrast, have no fresh injury concerns and have won both of their opening league-phase games, beating Real Sociedad away and Sturm Graz at home, as Sport Grill noted. Our full match preview sets out how the Cherries can move towards the top of the standings with another win.
So what does it mean?
This was already a difficult away night for Milan; without Ramos and Chukwueze it becomes a test of Amorim's depth rather than his first eleven. Bournemouth will press a reshuffled side high and early, and a third straight European win for the Cherries would pile pressure on Milan before a demanding domestic run. For Chukwueze in particular, the specialist verdict matters beyond Thursday — Nigeria and Milan both need him fit for the winter schedule.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Milan can survive one night without Ramos, but the Chukwueze news is the real blow — pace and width were how this side stretched teams, and a months-long absence would force Amorim to rebuild his attack mid-season. Bournemouth should smell blood.
Can Bournemouth make it three Europa League wins in a row against a weakened Milan? Let us know what you think in the comments.
