AC Milan suffer another injury blow ahead of Chelsea UCL clash

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to miss both games against Chelsea in the Champions League

According to Calciomercato (h/t Football.London), AC Milan will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan in both the games against Chelsea next month in the Champions League.

The Blues play the Italian champions in back-to-back group games in successive midweeks just after the international break. It is revealed that French international Maignan has picked up a calf injury while playing for his country against Austria in the UEFA Nations League.

The problem is more serious than first expected. It could keep the shot-stopper out for a month. The 27-year-old would be a big miss because he has been a key cog in the Milan side in the past year or so. Experienced goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu will don the gloves for the games Maignan is absent.

This injury is just an addition to a list of key injuries in the Milan squad. Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi is a doubt for the return game against Chelsea game after being ruled out of the first one, while Ante Rebic is still not match fit.

Sandro Tonali was withdrawn from the Italy national team squad due to a knock. He will be touch-and-go for the Italian side’s visit to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a long-term absentee, while Theo Hernandez was absent from the international squad as he recovers from a muscle injury. He is a doubt as well.

By way of good news, former Chelsea players Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud are passed fit to face their past employers. The former was left out of the England squad to face Germany in the Nations League.

He would have a point to prove playing against an English side at the highest stage. And there is always motivation in playing against your former team.

More Chelsea News:

• AC Milan struggle with injuries to key players with the Chelsea game coming up
• Juventus are preparing a deal for Chelsea superstar N’Golo Kante
• Transfer News: Ajax Edson Alvarez remains a priority for Chelsea in January

Chelsea are currently bottom of their Champions League table with one point from two games. These two games against Milan are important, to say the least. The home game is probably a must-win one, while the away game in the following week is a must-not-lose one.