Rafael Leao’s injury situation continues to cloud Milan’s early-season plans, with the Portugal winger likely to miss the MD2 clash with Lecce. Leao sat out Milan’s season opener against Cremonese on August 23, a match Lecce won 2-1 at the San Siro thanks to goals from Federico Baschirotto and Federico Bonazzoli. Santiago Gimenez, who filled in for Leao upfront, again partnered with Christian Pulisic but the pair failed to find the net, and the makeshift forward line could be deployed again on Friday.
The latest injury update on Leao comes after a rocky start to the campaign. Milan’s Coppa Italia victory earlier this month was overshadowed by Leao’s issue, and while initial expectations suggested a one-game absence, the calf strain appears more serious than first feared. Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate Leao is now training on his own, pointing to another hurdle before a return to action. Yet there are signs of a cautious recovery process, as the forward can still be seen running and carrying out light exercises. Those signs keep a return for the home clash against Bologna after the international break on the table.
Who will replace Rafael Leao against Lecce? For now, Santiago Gimenez looks set to retain his place at the spearhead of Milan’s attack. New head coach Max Allegri has used a 3-5-2 system in his first two competitive outings of the 2025-26 season, a setup that has provided Gimenez with a platform to influence games. In the Coppa Italia win over Bari, Leao started in attack with Pulisic, but Gimenez came on to replace him when the Dutch-born Mexican attacker picked up the injury. Gimenez is expected to be handed more minutes, building on a debut season in which he netted six times in 19 appearances after joining Milan from Feyenoord for around €32 million.
There is no exact return date for Leao yet. The fact he is back on the training pitch suggests Bologna on September 14 could be a plausible comeback target, assuming further progression goes smoothly. Calf strains can vary in recovery time, but Milan will be hoping Leao’s issue isn’t as severe as some similar injuries. The winger’s fitness will also influence squad selections beyond club duties, as Leao is not currently expected to feature for Portugal in the next round of internationals against Armenia and Hungary, a break that could give him extra time to recover.
In the meantime, Milan’s options up front will continue to be tested. Gimenez’s role to start and his growing chemistry with Pulisic could be a key storyline as the team navigates a tricky early schedule. If Leao makes a timely comeback, Milan’s attacking firepower will be restored; if not, Gimenez’s ascent may become a longer-term fixture as the club balance domestic duties with European ambitions.
Summary: Milan face a tricky early schedule without Leao, relying on Gimenez to lead the line while Leao recovers from a calf strain. A cautious return is anticipated around mid-September, with the Bologna showdown representing a potential milestone in Leao’s comeback. Positive signs from Gimenez and the tactical flexibility of a 3-5-2 give Milan a path to maintain momentum during Leao’s absence.