AC Milan defender Pierre Kalulu is almost certain to miss out on the Milan derby against Inter Milan through injury.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli could be looking at a crisis in defense for the upcoming derby.
Firstly, there is the fact that defender Fiyako Tomori will definitely miss the match.
There is no doubt about the Englishman not being able to play. He will be serving a one-match suspension after getting sent off for a second yellow card during the Rossoneri’s win over Roma in their final match of the international break.
And there’s more bad news for Milan and Pioli, in the form of a likely absence for Kalulu.
Pierre Kalulu To Undergo Medical Tests Thursday Or Friday Ahead Of Milan Derby Clash
According to the Gazzetta, Kalulu is currently out with the muscle injury that he picked up in training.
It’s not necessarily a major problem. However, the clock is ticking if the 23-year-old is to be fit in time for the derby, which is now just a few days away.
Kalulu will undergo the decisive medical tests this week. But it looks very unlikely that Kalulu will be able to return to fitness in time for Saturday’s match against Inter.
The Gazzetta report that there is virtually no doubt that the Frenchman will not be able to play in the derby.
If Kalulu is out, then Pioli’s options will be looking rather thin in terms of defense. This is true both in terms of the starting eleven and also the bench.
It’s virtually certain that former Schalke defender Malick Thiaw will start in central defense for the Rossoneri.
And according to the Gazzetta, former Roma and Sevilla defender Simon Kjaer will be the starter alongside Thiaw.