Milan’s Theo Hernandez and Reijnders to miss Napoli clash due to Bologna postponement

The postponement of the Bologna-Milan match has officially been confirmed, leading to significant repercussions for AC Milan’s upcoming Serie A fixture. Due to this delay, both Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders will be unavailable for the crucial match against Napoli scheduled for Tuesday, October 29th at San Siro.

Hernandez and Reijnders were set to serve their one-match suspensions against Bologna, following red cards received in previous matches against Fiorentina and Udinese, respectively. However, with the Bologna game now postponed, their suspensions will carry over to the Napoli encounter.

This development presents a significant challenge for Milan’s head coach Paulo Fonseca, who must now restructure his team for the high-stakes clash against Antonio Conte’s Napoli side. The absence of these key players will undoubtedly impact Milan’s tactical approach and overall team dynamics.

The situation highlights the complexities of fixture scheduling and disciplinary measures in Serie A. Had Milan been awarded a default 3-0 victory for the Bologna match, Reijnders and Hernandez would have been eligible to play against Napoli. This is because, according to Article 21 of the Sports Justice Code, suspensions are considered served in matches that conclude with a valid result for classification or qualification in official competitions, including 3-0 default wins.

However, with the match postponed rather than defaulted, Milan find themselves in a less favorable position. The team will have to adapt quickly, potentially offering opportunities for other squad members to step up in the absence of Hernandez and Reijnders.