It is now official – Alexandre Pato is not even fit for the bench as Milan take on Juventus on Saturday evening.
The Brazilian youngster missed last week’s 3-1 win over Cagliari with what at the time was described as a muscular twinge.
It had only required rest as a precautionary measure, but it proved to be far worse than previously thought.
“He has not trained at all since last Thursday,” revealed Coach Carlo Ancelotti in today’s Press Conference.
Pato is not even in the squad for the trip to Turin, staying behind along with Marek Jankulovski, Massimo Oddo and former Juventus midfielder Emerson.
Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze sit out a ban, so Dario Simic is the favourite to take central defensive duties alongside Paolo Maldini.
Pippo Inzaghi is expected to partner Kaka upfront in a 4-4-2 system, though Alberto Gilardino and teenager Alberto Paloschi are ready to come off the bench.
Milan squad: Dida, Fiori, Kalac, Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Maldini, Serginho, Simic, Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Paloschi
