AC Milan will be missing injured right-back Kyle Walker (34) for their Serie A clash against Torino this weekend, as confirmed by head coach Sergio Conceicao on Friday.
The former Manchester City captain joined Milan on loan for the remainder of the season in January, with the Italian club holding the option to make the transfer permanent. Since arriving, Walker has made six appearances for the Rossoneri.
Milan are facing further injury challenges with other essential players as they aim to recover from their recent exit in the Champions League.
The team experienced a surprising defeat at the hands of Feyenoord, who eliminated them with a 2-1 aggregate score in the playoff round, thereby securing their place in the last 16 of Europe’s foremost club competition.
“Walker is unavailable. The situation will depend on the fitness of the others… (Christian) Pulisic definitely doesn’t possess the stamina for a full 90 minutes at this stage,” Conceicao informed the media.
“(Santiago) Gimenez improves day by day, but he’s still not at the level we desire. For my style of play, he needs to be in peak physical condition and maintain high intensity for the full match.
“When I arrived, I noticed many players either struggling or injured. I’m also considering (Ruben) Loftus-Cheek and now Walker. With games every three days, it hasn’t been easy to manage this situation in my time here.”
Milan currently sits seventh in the Serie A table after 24 matches, trailing fourth-placed Juventus, who have played one game more, by five points. Torino is positioned in 12th place.
Crucial Encounter
“It is undoubtedly a very significant match against a challenging opponent; they have only lost to Bologna in 2025, and historically, they are a tough challenge for Milan,” stated the Portuguese manager.
“Our mindset needs to be that tomorrow is our Champions League final, and we must approach every match from here onwards in that manner.”
Conceicao expressed that he is accustomed to managing pressure, having taken the helm at the seven-time European champions in December after his tenure at Porto.
The 50-year-old coach, who succeeded compatriot Paulo Fonseca, has a contract with Milan until June 2026.
“I acknowledge that Milan’s legacy is extraordinary, populated with remarkable figures among coaches, players, and administrators. I have immense respect for this legacy,” Conceicao remarked.
“When victories are hard to come by, especially for a club of this magnitude, there’s increased scrutiny and fragility.
“I was aware of the challenges ahead. I’m here because it represents a significant challenge for me. I had other offers, but I chose this path because I appreciate difficult undertakings.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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