Rafael Leao will miss Milan-Bologna, but Nkunku ready for debut | OneFootball

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan star Rafael Leao will miss the upcoming match against Bologna, but Christopher Nkunku is ready for his debut with the Rossoneri.

Milan star Leao must wait for his 2025-26 Serie A debut as the Portuguese is expected to miss Sunday’s league game against Bologna, according to Gazzetta.

Leao to miss Milan vs Bologna

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Portuguese has been out of action since August 17, when he suffered a calf injury in a Coppa Italia match against Bari.

Gazzetta reports that Leao has been training separately since that day, and the same will happen later today.

Milan will assess his condition in the next 48 hours, but the Rossoneri are unlikely to recover him for the next league game against Bologna.

The Serie A giants hope Leao will be available for an away game at Udinese on September 20.

Nkunku could make Milan debut from the bench

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 24: Christopher Nkunku #18 of Chelsea FC looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between Esperance de Tunis and Chelsea FC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 24, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

At the same time, however, new signing Nkunku will be available for the Bologna game, but is expected to start on the bench.

The former Chelsea striker is still not fully fit, and, until a few days ago, Milan doctors estimated he could play for around 30 minutes.