Huge blow for AC Milan as key player is ruled out for six months ahead of UCL semifinal vs Inter

Topics: Ismael Bennacer, AC Milan, Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League

This huge injury blow comes amid their crucial clash with Inter Milan and desperate fight to finish in the top four in Serie A.

AC Milan can't catch a break.

Almost a week after losing 2-0 to Inter Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal, a tie which star attacker Rafael Leao missed due to injury, the Rossoneri announce that another key player has been ruled out for the return fixture.

That man is Ismael Bennacer, the highly-rated Algerian midfielder who has established himself as one of the most crucial figures in Pioli's set-up. The former Arsenal man picked up an injury in the first leg, with the Italian giants now announcing his absence for the 2nd leg.

Not only that, but the 25-year-old will miss a whopping six months of action after undergoing surgery for a serious knee injury, having damaged his cartilage lesion. An official statement by AC Milan predicted an absence of "at least" six months, meaning the North African could miss larger spells of the upcoming season.

"AC Milan announces that Ismaël Bennacer underwent surgery on his right knee in Lyon this morning," the Rossoneri said in an official statement.

"The repair of the cartilage lesion was successfully performed by Dr. Bertrand Sonnery Cottet in the presence of AC Milan's club doctor, Dr. Stefano Mazzoni. The recovery time is estimated to be at least six months."

This comes as a huge blow for two reasons. While Rafael Leao is back and expected to feature in the 2nd leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal clash with the Nerazzurri, losing Bennacer makes a comeback all the more difficult.

Last season's Serie A winners trail by two goals after conceding twice in the opening 11 minutes, with Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan getting on the scoresheet.

Additionally, with only three games remaining in this Serie A season and Pioli's men sitting fifth in the table, Il Diavolo face an uphill battle to finish in the top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Milan giants, who were confronted by their ultras following the 2-0 loss to relegation-battling over the weekend, have a four-point deficit and inferior goal difference to overcome if they are to leapfrog fourth-placed Lazio in the standings.