Loftus-Cheek and Morata out injured in first-half of Milan’s Red Star clash | OneFootball

Milan were forced to use two different substitution slots within two minutes in the first half of their Champions League home clash against Red Star, as both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alvaro Morata left the pitch with an injury.

The changes both came inside the opening 30 minutes of play, with the two sides still drawing 0-0, and further complicated the plans of coach Paulo Fonseca, who was already without star Christian Pulisic due to a calf issue.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Rafael Leao of AC Milan scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between AC Milan and FK Crvena Zvezda at Stadio San Siro on December 11, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Loftus-Cheek and Morata injuries force two Milan changes in first half against Red Star

The Portuguese picked Loftus-Cheek to replace the USMNT ace but the Englishman limped off after 28 minutes, being replaced by Samuel Chukweze, also forcing the coach to tweak his tactical setup.

However, the game stopped shortly after, this time to allow Morata to leave the pitch with another injury in quick succession.

Tammy Abraham came on as a substitute, causing immediate trouble for the visitors, only a few minutes before Rafa Leao would find the opener by taking advantage of a brilliant pass from Youssouf Fofana with a brilliant first touch and a precise shot past goalkeeper Ivan Gutesa.