Algeria could call Ismael Bennacer to the African Cup of Nations meaning he will have to leave the San Siro in January.
The photos and videos of Ismael Bennacer being back on the field at Milanello has rightly got fans excited about his return to action, but caution remains a necessity.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (referencing the image below) indicates Bennacer’s positive progress in recovering from his right knee injury suffered in May during the Champions League semi-final against Inter.
He has successfully completed the initial phase of his recovery and is now advancing toward a return to active play. The expected timeline for his full recovery has shifted from the initial 2024 estimation to mid-December, showcasing his remarkable progress.
Bennacer is actively engaged in training at Milanello, participating in both individual sessions and alongside the team. For instance, in a recent practice match where his teammates played against Primavera, he commenced training with the team before continuing with a personal workout.
Regarding his comeback to competitive matches, it seems improbable that he’ll be ready for the Atalanta game on December 9th, but there’s a high chance he could make an appearance in the match against Monza eight days later.
Stefano Pioli intends to assign Bennacer the No.6 role as the midfield director, but the upcoming new year poses challenges.
The African Cup of Nations, commencing on January 13th in the Ivory Coast, necessitates clubs to release players for national team duty.
If Bennacer gets called up by Algeria, his definitive recovery must be assured. Importantly, the player holds influence here as he can decline the call-up if he doesn’t feel fully fit.
The coach is unlikely to include him if Bennacer is only available for the latter stages of the competition, which concludes with the final on Sunday, February 11th. Bennacer’s primary focus remains on achieving optimal fitness, diligently working to expedite recovery without risking setbacks.
Algeria’s scheduled matches on January 15th against Angola, on the 20th against Burkina Faso, and on the 23rd against Mauritania might see Bennacer absent for matches against Roma, Udinese, Bologna, and others, assuming Algeria progresses into the knockout stages, as predicted.
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