Leao expected to be unavailable for next Milan clash | OneFootball

Reports on Wednesday confirm that Rafael Leao is highly unlikely to feature for Milan in their upcoming Serie A match against Lecce this weekend due to the injury that he picked up during the first round of the Coppa Italia earlier this month.

Leao missed out on Milan’s first Serie A match of the season: A surprise 2-1 defeat at home against newly-promoted Cremonese, due to an injury that he picked up 18 minutes into a 2-0 victory over Serie B outfit Bari in the first round of the Coppa Italia, just a few moments after opening the scoring for the Rossoneri.

Initial reports indicated that Leao had a minor issue with his calf as a result of his Coppa Italia withdrawal.

Leao still unavailable for Milan

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)

According to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday, Leao is still training individually, which means that he is not expected to feature when Milan take on Lecce away from home on Friday evening.

With Massimiliano Allegri having gone for a 3-5-2 in his first two competitive matches back in charge of the Rossoneri, it is likely that Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez start up front together again.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Santiago Gimenez after scoring their team’s second 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)

That is largely due to a lack of alternative options in attack, with Samuel Chukwueze currently the only real alternative in Milan’s attacking department.

Football Italia understands that the Rossoneri are still hoping to add two more centre-forwards to their squad before the close of the summer transfer window.

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