Leao injured after goal celebration

A beautiful evening in Milan turned into an evening of concern within just a few minutes. The Rossoneri welcomed second-division side Bari to San Siro, where they faced the former top-flight club in the second round of the Coppa Italia. It was an easy and routine job for Massimiliano Allegri’s team – 2:0 (1:0). However, not everything was so bright and cheerful. A serious headache appeared after just about fifteen minutes of play. Allegri decided to put Rafael Leao at the very tip of the attack, with Christian Pulisic playing just behind him. It turned out to be a good move from the Milan coach, as Leao dominated from the very first whistle.

He was uncatchable when drifting wide or trying to break through the middle. He shot, aimed for goal, and set up his teammates. He managed all of that in less than 15 minutes. He scored the opener in the 14th minute, when Fikayo Tomori sent in a perfect cross from the right. With his head, he put the ball into the net, celebrated, and then raised his hand. Whether he injured himself during the celebration is unknown, but he had to come off immediately. Allegri grabbed his head, and the Portuguese forward’s body language and facial expression didn’t offer much hope.

Simply put, Milan’s coach was forced to make a substitution right after the goal, and Santiago Gimenez came onto the pitch. Milan played well even without their best player, and Gimenez, who replaced him, registered an assist in the 48th minute, when Pulisic scored and doubled the lead. That practically decided the match, and in the 66th minute Luka Modrić made his first official appearance for the Rossoneri, as did Jasari. In the third round of the Coppa Italia, Milan will again play at home. Their opponent will be Lecce.