Allegri names Jashari or Ricci as Milan's Modric replacement for season run-in
Quick summary
Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that AC Milan will replace the injured Luka Modric with either Ardon Jashari or Samuele Ricci for the final four Serie A matches. Modric is expected to miss the rest of the 2025-26 season after suffering a fractured cheekbone.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMassimiliano 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’.
Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here Allegri comments on potential Modric replacements: ‘We have great players’
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.”
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Ardon Jashari of AC Milan in action during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) 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.”
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What happened
Allegri said Milan have two internal options to cover for Luka Modric after the midfielder's season-ending facial injury. Modric had been a near-ever-present for Milan in Serie A, starting 32 of 34 league matches, so his absence is significant for the run-in. Ahead of the away match against Sassuolo, Allegri expressed confidence in Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci as replacements. The update frames Milan's response as a midfield reshuffle rather than an external solution.
Chance analysis
This matters because Milan are losing a highly trusted and heavily used central midfielder at a decisive stage of the Serie A season. Even with Allegri backing Jashari and Ricci, replacing Modric's stability and experience could slightly reduce midfield control and continuity in the final matches.
Modric's absence weakens Milan's midfield continuity, though Allegri's trusted replacements may limit the overall drop-off.
Treat this as a confirmed midfield availability downgrade for Milan, while monitoring which of Jashari or Ricci starts.