AC Milan ‘cry’ for Muntari’s return

The cruciate knee ligament injury that has ruled out Ghana star Sulley Muntari has affected his club AC Milan dear as they are struggling to find a replacement, according to Italian media reports.

Muntari impressed in the holding role in midfield for Milan whilst on loan from cross city rivals Inter during the second half of last season. The Rossoneri duly signed him on a two year deal but Sulley injured himself whilst playing with friends on holidays in Ghana, an injury which has ruled him out for the first half of this season. Having lost midfield strongmen Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf over the summer in addition to the poor form of Massimo Ambrosini, Milan are struggling in the middle of the park which has not been helped by several injuries to many first team players including Kevin-Prince Boateng and Ricardo Montolivo.

But apparently, Muntari’s absence is the one they are missing most after gaining only three points from their first three Serie A games of 2012/13 with unfancied Atalanta the latest to embarrass Milan at home in the San Siro.

“The absence of Sulley Muntari is really hurting AC Milan. The Rossoneri are missing his workaholics and battling efforts in midfield because De Jong has yet to fully come to terms with the tough nature of the job,” bemoaned the match commentator 5 minutes into the mammoth 7 minutes of added on time that Milan could still not find a way through Atalanta last Saturday in a 0-1 loss.

Milan have lost all two home games thus far in the new season, putting coach Massimo Allegri under more pressure after also only managing a goalless draw against Andelecht in the Champions’ League on Tuesday, also at home. Muntari is meanwhile undergoing physiotherapy treatment awaiting a quick return in the red and black of Milan.

The 28 year old was feared to be ruled out for about six months after a successful operation to fix a cruciate ligament injury in his left knee, but he’s back at Milanello training complex being put through his paces by the Milan medics as he seeks to return with a bang.