AC Milan's recovery room is emptying at just the right time. While the international break provides a breather from the fixture list, work continues at Milanello to get key players fit for the most important head-to-head clash of the season: Napoli-Milan, scheduled for Monday 6 April at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. From Rafael Leao, who flew abroad to treat his pubalgia, to Ruben Loftus-Cheek, back in group training after a jaw fracture, via Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez: here is the full injury update on the Rossoneri squad.
What is at stake: Napoli-Milan on 6 April
This is no ordinary fixture. Napoli-Milan will be played on Easter Monday, 6 April at 20:45 CET at the Maradona, live exclusively on DAZN. It is a genuine play-off for Champions League qualification and the battle for second place in Serie A. The table after 30 rounds tells the story: Inter lead on 69 points, Milan sit second on 63 and Napoli are third on 62. Just one point separates Rossoneri and Azzurri: a defeat at the Maradona would mean losing second place and jeopardising the path back to Europe's elite competition.
That is why every single recovery from the treatment room carries enormous weight for Massimiliano Allegri. The Livorno-born coach needs all his men available for an away trip that leaves no margin for error.
Rafael Leao and his pubalgia: a race against time
The most delicate case is that of Rafael Leao. The Portuguese winger has been battling an inflammation of the pubic bone — pubalgia — since December 2025, which limits his greatest attributes: acceleration, explosiveness and ability to drive forward with the ball. The problem flared up again on the eve of Milan-Torino on 22 March, forcing Allegri to leave him out of the squad for the match that Milan eventually won 3-2 in a comeback.
The denied backstory
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Allegri had asked Leao for greater willingness to sacrifice and help the team defensively. The Portuguese player's response: "I can't do it". However, Leao denied this version of events on Instagram, posting a red X under the article reporting the backstory. For the player, the squad omission was motivated purely by physical reasons.
During the international break — with the Portuguese Football Federation confirming his absence from friendlies against Mexico and the United States — Leao has not been idle. He posted an Instagram story showing a plane: as reported by journalist Luca Bianchin and confirmed by La Gazzetta, the Rossoneri number 10 flew abroad to consult a specialist and treat the inflammation, without taking the days off granted by the club.
The goal is clear: to be fit for the Maradona. Leao has approximately two weeks of targeted work ahead. The final decision will come when the internationals return to Milanello and serious preparations for the Napoli trip begin.
Loftus-Cheek's rapid return: back in group training with a mask
The best news comes from the Ruben Loftus-Cheek front. The Englishman suffered a fracture of the alveolar process of the jaw and broken teeth during a collision with Corvi in the match against Parma. He underwent surgery on the night of 23 February and the estimated recovery time was 8 weeks, which would have meant a return no earlier than mid-April.
Instead, Loftus-Cheek has fast-tracked his recovery. On 25 March, just over four weeks after the operation, the English midfielder returned to group training at Milanello wearing a protective face mask. He did not take a single day off during the break, continuing to work at the training ground while teammates were away on international duty.
His return is well ahead of schedule. Loftus-Cheek is targeting a call-up for Napoli-Milan: he could at least make the bench as a first step towards full reintegration into Allegri's rotations. An extra weapon for the coach, who regains a player capable of adding physicality, runs into the box and goals from midfield.
Gabbia and the inguinal hernia: decisive medical check ahead
Matteo Gabbia is also racing to be fit. The centre-back underwent surgery on 4 March in London for an inguinal hernia and immediately reassured fans on social media: "Operation went very well!". The initial timeline predicted around one month out, which placed his return right around the Napoli trip.
The signals from Milanello are positive. Gabbia has been working during the break and recovery is on track. He was not called up for Italy Under-21 commitments. According to MilanNews.it, a decisive medical check is expected in the coming days to determine whether the defender can resume group training and target a call-up for 6 April.
Why Gabbia is crucial
Allegri is counting heavily on Gabbia, given that the pool of available centre-backs is extremely thin. His return would give the coach an extra option to manage a match that will demand defensive solidity against Napoli's attack.
Gimenez: 144 days later, he is back on the pitch
The best news has already arrived. Santiago Gimenez returned to action on 22 March, coming on in the closing minutes of Milan-Torino 3-2 after an ordeal lasting 144 days. The Mexican striker had injured his right ankle on 28 October against Atalanta and underwent surgery on 19 December in the Netherlands.
After the match, Gimenez said: "I feel good and I think that's the most important thing". He was not called up by Mexico for the break and remains at Milanello to work with Allegri and regain peak fitness. He will be available for Napoli-Milan, an additional attacking option for a coach who in recent weeks has had to deal with his strikers' poor finishing form.
The full recovery picture
Leao — Pubalgia (since December 2025). Treated abroad during the break. Return: uncertain, decision upon return to Milanello.
Loftus-Cheek — Jaw fracture (operated 23 February). Back in group training on 25 March. Return: likely call-up.
Gabbia — Inguinal hernia (operated 4 March). Decisive medical check in the coming days. Return: possible.
Gimenez — Right ankle (operated 19 December). Already back on the pitch on 22 March. Available.
AC Milan's recovery room is emptying at the most important moment of the season. If Allegri manages to recover Leao and Gabbia alongside the already available Loftus-Cheek and Gimenez, Milan will travel to the Maradona with a near-complete squad for the most delicate head-to-head clash of the year. The Champions League race runs through Naples.
Forza Milan, sempre.