Milan set to be without Ibrahimovic for at least 3 games over the next 10 days

Milan are set to be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic for at least three games over the next 10 days, but who could replace the Swede?

The veteran is set to be out with a hamstring injury for at least 10 days, when he will be examined again and reports in Italy claim the Rossoneri could end up being without the centre-forward for a month.

Milan revealed he will need a new assessment to determine the extent of the injury in 10 days, meaning he will already sit out against Lille and Celtic in the Europa League, and the match against Fiorentina in Serie A this weekend.

If the Swede remains out of action up to a month, Stefano Pioli will have to replace him for the Serie A matches against Sampdoria, Parma, Genoa and Sassuolo too.

Lazio arrive at San Siro a month from today on December 23, in the last fixture ahead of the winter break in the League, whilst the Diavolo play Sparta Prague on December 10 in Czech Republic.

Pioli has various options up front and could give youngster Lorenzo Colombo a chance to shine in the veteran’s absence.

Ibrahimovic has scored 10 goals in six Serie A games this term, missing two at the start of the season due to COVID-19.

The 21-year-old Portuguese forward Rafael Leao has played at left in an attacking trident so far in Serie A and has contributed two goals and three assists from the wing.

However, his main position has previously been a centre-forward and he could be an option to do a job up front.

But it seems more likely that Croatia international Ante Rebic will be moved to the centre of the attack and spearhead the Rossoneri like he did at times last season.

Rebic has yet to score in Serie A this term but he contributed 11 goals in the second half of the campaign last term and played a huge part in bringing Milan back to Europe.

The 27-year-old was suspended for the Europa League preliminaries, when Ibrahimovic missed four games in total after testing positive for coronavirus ahead of the second qualifying round against Bodo/Glimt.

Colombo and Daniel Maldini therefore got the chance to play up front against Bodo/Glimt and Rio Ave respectively.

In Zlatan’s absence, Milan won four out of four, but his impact in the League has since been remarkable, helping the Diavolo to the top of the standings with 20 points from eight games.