Champions League: Abraham hopes to back to form against Bratislava as Chukwueze may start

Nov 26, 2024 - 14:12

AC Milan forward Tammy Abraham says he hopes to get back to the levels he used to show at Roma and in the Premier League after his lengthy injury lay-off, and says that he expected Milan to get a positive result in the Champions League on Tuesday as long as they stick to the game plan.

The Englishman joined coach Paulo Fonseca for the pre-match press conferences on Monday evening ahead of Milan’s game away against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday.

“I’m happy to be here. We have a great team and I want to show my quality,” The former Chelsea and Roma striker told the press.

“We’re expecting a good game, we have to be sure of ourselves after a good win against Real Madrid. We’ll work hard and I’m feeling confident.”

Abraham missed the vast majority of the 2023-24 campaign after rupturing his cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the final day of the 2022-23 season.

The 27-year-old says that he has felt good since his move to Milan on deadline day this summer, but admits that there is still a way to go before he gets back to his absolute best.

“I feel good, I’m coming back from a major injury last season. I’m trying to work hard and I want to get back to where I used to be. I’m really happy to be part of this squad and I’m ready to give 100% for the team. We want to win. The Champions League is very important and we have players here who have won it before: We know what it takes to win it.

“I think that every game is important. I played as a starter in the derby, but also in the games that didn’t go well. I like to play every game as if it’s the last. I’m excited about this game and we have to be confident.”

Abraham went on to explain why the Champions League is such a difficult competition, but he believes that Milan can see off Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday night.

“There are so many strong teams in this competition, it’s never easy. The fans will be with them and we have to play our game and do our best. The result will be positive if we do that.

“I expect a good game tomorrow, two strong teams. I believe in my teammates and we have to be sure that we do everything that we do every day in training out on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Fonseca may hand Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze his first start in the UEFA Champions League when the Italian side takes on Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava.

Since joining Milan from Villarreal last season, Chukwueze has struggled to cement his position in Fonseca’s starting XI despite some flashes of brilliance.

The Super Eagles star was an unused substitute in the Rossoneri’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the opening game of the new format of the Champions League. He started from the bench in their 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen as the manager sent him in just 10 minutes before the end of the game but was able to save his team from suffering their second defeat.

Against Club Brugge, the 25-year-old was in action for 30 minutes and grabbed an assist as the Italian giants sealed a 3-1 win over the Belgium side. However, at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Nigerian was left on the bench again as Milan secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Real Madrid.

On Saturday, in their goalless draw against Juventus at San Siro, Yunus Musah was favoured on the right wing ahead of Chukwueze with the Nigerian coming on as a late substitute in place of the American.

With Milan’s congested fixtures heading into December, Fonseca, who is looking to rest some of his key players, could afford Chukwueze his first Champions League start this season.

If he gets the nod against the Slovakians, the former Yellow Submarine player will hope to make good use of the opportunity and impress his manager. He will be eager to add to his one goal scored in the league by scoring his first goal in the competition.

So far this season, the Nigerian has made 16 appearances, scoring just one goal and providing one assist.