Allegri relies on duo for Milan clash against Bologna; Leao and Nkunku on the bench | OneFootball

Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri will only have Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic as guarantees for his attack when club football resumes this weekend, with reports from Italy claiming that Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku are not yet fit enough to start the match and will instead be on the bench.

According to what has been reported by the Corriere dello Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Gimenez and Pulisic are the only two certainties in the front line, as the duo prepare to return to Lombardy from international duty with Mexico and the USA.

AUGUST 23: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Leao and Nkunku on the bench for Allegri’s Milan

Rafael Leao looked promising in pre-season, playing at centre-forward for his new coach Allegri in strong performances against Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, in the Rossoneri’s Coppa Italia win over Bari, the Portuguese international suffered an injury that led him to miss the opening games of the Serie A campaign.

Whilst it looked like the talented winger could be available for Allegri to start against Bologna, the Corriere report that he will be eased back in to avoid risk and will start from the bench against Bologna.

Christopher Nkunku at a press conference (acmilan.com)

Nkunku, meanwhile, arrived from Chelsea in the closing days of the transfer market but is also not yet at the required fitness level for Allegri and like new teammate Leao, will start from the bench.