Massimiliano Allegri has revealed that Milan will choose between Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci to fill the void left by the injured Luka Modric for the remaining four matches of the 2025-26 Serie A season. Allegri expressed strong confidence in his available midfielders, stating, “I have a lot of confidence.”
Milan is set to face Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon in the 35th round of Serie A. However, the Rossoneri will be without the veteran midfielder Modric, who is expected to miss the rest of the 2025-26 campaign. The former Ballon d’Or winner sustained a fractured cheekbone during a challenge with Manuel Locatelli in last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Juventus.
This is a significant setback for Milan, as Modric has been a near-constant presence in their Serie A matches this season, starting in 32 out of 34 league games.
During his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Allegri confirmed that the decision for Modric’s replacement against Sassuolo would be between Jashari and Ricci. “We’re very sorry about this bad injury, which will keep him out until the end of the season, even if he has a big desire to come back,” Allegri stated. “He shows so much passion for the work he does, and I hope this has been a lesson for the other players. We have great players to replace him, either Jashari or Ricci, who have grown a lot and in whom I have a lot of confidence.”
Jashari, who was one of the division’s more expensive acquisitions during the summer transfer window, has faced challenges in establishing himself at San Siro, partly due to an injury sustained shortly after his arrival from Club Brugge. However, Allegri is not overly concerned about Jashari’s progress, noting, “Jashari has grown a lot. Unfortunately, he had a bad injury at the beginning of the season which kept him out for a long time. He has desire, he’s curious, he has his whole future ahead of him, and I think Milan made an excellent signing.”
Allegri comments on potential Modric replacements: ‘We have great players’
Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that it will be a choice of either Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci to replace the injured Luka Modric for the final four matches of the 2025-26 Serie A season: ‘I have a lot of confidence’.
Milan will visit Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon in the 35th round of Serie A fixtures, but will have to do without former Ballon d’Or winner Modric against the Neroverdi. The 40-year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign after suffering a fractured cheekbone while challenging for a header against Manuel Locatelli during the 0-0 draw between Milan and Juventus last weekend.
It is a blow for the Rossoneri, who have been able to field the veteran midfielder in all but one of their Serie A matches so far this season. Modric has started in 32 of Milan’s 34 league matches so far this season.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Allegri confirmed that it will be a choice between one of two players to replace Modric against Sassuolo on Sunday.
“We’re very sorry about this bad injury, which will keep him out until the end of the season, even if he has a big desire to come back,” Allegri commented.
“He shows so much passion for the work he does and I hope this has been a lesson for the other players. We have great players to replace him, either Jashari or Ricci, who have grown a lot and in whom I have a lot of confidence.”
Jashari was one of the division’s most expensive signings during the summer transfer window, but has struggled to establish himself in San Siro, especially following the injury he suffered almost immediately after signing from Club Brugge.
This is not a major concern for Allegri, though: “Jashari has grown a lot. Unfortunately he had a bad injury at the beginning of the season which kept him out for a long time. He has desire, he’s curious, he has his whole future ahead of him and I think Milan made an excellent signing.”