Nkunku Out For Milan V Genoa As Allegri Shares When He Could Return
Nkunku has already missed the Cagliari game due to an ankle injury.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 07 January 2026
AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that Christopher Nkunku will not feature in Thursday’s Serie A meeting with Genoa due to injury.
Nkunku kickstarted his Milan career with a superb brace in the 3-0 win over Hellas Verona on December 28.
However, the France international has since picked up an ankle injury, which ruled him out of the Cagliari game on January 2.
Allegri, speaking to reporters ahead of the San Siro clash against Genoa, gave updates on his team’s fitness.
Christopher Nkunku hopefully back against Fiorentina
Allegri said at his pre-match press conference that Nkunku would miss the Genoa game due his continuing fitness issues.
However, the Milan boss said he hoped Nkunku would be back for Sunday’s trip to rock-bottom Fiorentina.
Allegri also confirmed that Rafael Leao was still suffering from adductor discomfort, but suggested he would start on Thursday.
When asked whether Leao could top the scoring charts, Allegri replied: “Comparisons need to be made with current players.
“We always tend to think that the ones from the past were stronger.
™️🎈 #MilanVerona 2-0 pic.twitter.com/sjso5gcAk7
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) December 28, 2025
“Leao has to focus on scoring goals. I haven’t asked him for any minimum objectives.
“He’s still having some adductor discomfort, but he can only improve.
“Nkunku? He’s out tomorrow, let’s hope for Florence.”
Nkunku momentum halted at worst possible time
Nkunku’s ankle problem arrived just as he looked to be finding rhythm in Italy after a poor start.
Ahead of the January transfer window, reports suggested Milan wanted to offload Nkunku after struggling so much for the Rossoneri.
However, his brace against Verona suggested he had turned a corner, instantly quietening down the speculation.
Sadly, this injury has halted his momentum, with at least two games where he is set to be on the sidelines.
For a forward still establishing his role, stoppages like this can be costly, especially with Milan juggling fitness issues elsewhere in attack.
Sunday’s trip to Fiorentina is the target, but the timing is painful for Nkunku and for Milan.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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