FRANCK KESSIE NEWS

AC Milan wins 1-0 at Cagliari to maintain Serie A lead

AC Milan is displaying more consistency than its rivals amid a tight race for the Serie A title

MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Draws three fouls versus Empoli Kessie took two off-target shots, created two scoring chances, drew three fouls and won five duels in Saturday's 1-0 win over Empoli.

Impact Kessie drew another start in the hole over Brahim Diaz, but he was just a minor factor in the final third, although he contributed more than in previous matches. He has notched five shots, four chances, five tackles and five interceptions in the last five games. Milan will face Cagliari away Saturday.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Paltry in Napoli clash Kessie took two shots (zero on target), created one scoring chance, had two interceptions and won three duels in Saturday's 1-0 win over Napoli.

Impact Kessie was used as a no.10 instead of Brahim Diaz for tactical reasons and, while he helped the midfield with his defensive chops, he was not a factor in the final third. He will be in contention with Diaz and Ismael Bennacer going forward. He has posted three shots, two chances, five tackles and six interceptions in the last five matches. Milan will host Empoli Saturday.

MARCH 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs two interceptions against Udinese Kessie won two of three tackles and six duels and had two interceptions and one clearance in Friday's 1-1 draw with Udinese.

Impact Kessie worked hard in the midfield but he was again a non-factor on offense, where he has not contributed much in the past month. He has logged one shot, one chance, four tackles and four interceptions in the last four matches. Milan will visit Napoli next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wins five duels in Salernitana game Kessie sent in one accurate cross, won two of two tackles and five duels and had two successful take-ons in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Salernitana.

Impact Kessie has not looked great after returning from AFCON and the coach is managing his minutes. On the other hand, he will likely get the not Friday versus Udinese since Ismael Bennacer will be suspended. He has tallied one shot, one chance, two tackles and two interceptions in the last three games.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Creates once chance in Sampdoria game Kessie took one off-target shot, created one scoring chance, drew one foul and won one duel in 33 minutes in Sunday's 1-0 win over Sampdoria.

Impact Kessie came off the bench in a rare instance this season and did not do a whole lot after subbing in. He will be in contention with Ismael Bennacer and Brahim Diaz in a pair of spots in Saturday's away game versus Salernitana. He has notched five goals, 18 shots, 18 chances and 22 tackles in 18 appearances.

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Giroud scores 2 again as AC Milan reaches Italian Cup semis

Olivier Giroud’s brace made it four goals in two games for the striker as AC Milan routed Lazio 4-0 to reach the semifinals of the Italian Cup

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quiet against Inter Kessie had one interception and three successful take-ons and won four duels in Saturday's 2-1 win over Inter.

Impact Kessie was deployed as a no.10 in his first game back after AFCON to have a more sturdy look, but he was mostly invisible offensively. He should go back to his usual role in next Sunday's home game versus Sampdoria. He has tallied five goals, 17 shots, 33 tackles, 16 clearances and 17 chances in 17 Serie A appearances so far.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go for Derby Kessie (ribs) has been training with no limitations in recent days, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

Impact Kessie suffered a ribs injury during his final AFCON day, but the tests ruled out fractures or other meaningful problems, and he is fully expected to start Saturday. He has posted five goals, 17 shots, 17 chances and 21 tackles in 16 appearances so far.

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from AFCON with small injury Kessie suffered a ribs injury during the Round of 16 match versus Egypt, but the initial tests ruled out a serious problem, Sky Italy reports.

Impact Kessie will resume practicing Monday and will be assessed by the coaching staff ahead of February 5th's clash with Inter, but it appears that he will be ready to go by then.

JANUARY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Africa Cup of Nations players to watch: Joe Aribo, Franck Kessie, Karl Toko Ekambi AFCON 2021 begins on Sunday January 9 when hosts Cameron face Burkina Faso in Group A at 4pm; all 52 games throughout the competition will b...

JANUARY 9, 2022 • SKY.COM

Will partake in AFCON Kessie will be unavailable for the next four games as he has been called up by Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations.

Impact Kessie will be out until February because of the international competition. Ismael Bennacer will participate in it too, therefore Milan are down to Sandro Tonali, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Rade Krunic in the midfield.

JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nets brace in win Kessie scored twice on three shots (two on goal) during Wednesday's 4-2 win over Empoli.

Impact Kessie scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season during Wednesday's one-sided rout. The midfielder is a strong option in both real and fantasy rosters and is a core part of the starting XI for Milan. Next up is the winter break.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet against Napoli Kessie took one off-target shot, drew one foul, won two duels was dispossessed once in Sunday's 0-1 loss to Napoli.

Impact Kessie had a goal disallowed in the final minutes because of a controversial VAR review, but he did not bring much to the table apart from that. He has scored just once in the past ten matches. He has notched five shots, five chances, four tackles and four crosses in the last five games. Milan will visit Empoli Wednesday.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scores against Salernitana Kessie took two shots (one on target), created two chances, won two of three tackles and scored a goal in Saturday's 2-0 win over Salernitana.

Impact Kessie opened the scoring early by rifling home a ball that had lingered in the box on a corner kick. It is his third goal of the season and the first since late October. He has tallied 15 shots, 17 chances created and 23 tackles in 17 appearances in the season. Milan will host Liverpool in Champions League Tuesday and then visit Udinese next Saturday.

DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Creates two chances in win Kessie made a clearance and created two chances in Wednesday's 3-0 victory against Genoa. He also won one of three tackles in the match.

Impact Kessie was solid on both sides of the ball as his side eased past Genoa on Wednesday. He will want to have a similar performance Saturday against Salernitana, which are bottom of the table in Serie A through 14 matches this season.

DECEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Assists lone goal Kessie had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing once accurately and creating two chances during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Kessie set up Junior Messias in the 87th minute assisting the game's lone goal. The assist was the first in the Champions League for the midfielder while his two chances created tied for the team-high total in the win.

NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Creates two chances versus Fiorentina Kessie won one tackle and two duels, created one scoring chance and took one off-target shot in Saturday's 3-4 loss to Fiorentina.

Impact Kessie turned in another silent display in both phases as he continues to be up-and-down this season. He has logged two goals, 11 chances created, 15 tackles and 13 interceptions in 13 games. Milan will face Atletico Madrid away in Champions League Wednesday and then host Sassuolo Sunday.

NOVEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rather poor against Inter Kessie created two scoring chances, had two blocks, won five duels and drew one foul in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Inter.

Impact Kessies was not a big factor on offense and had a key mistake in the back, giving away a ball in the box and tackling the opponent, leading to the first PK for Inter. He has been pretty up-and-down so far. He has recorded two goals, nine shots, 14 tackles and 13 interceptions in 12 matches. Milan will face Fiorentina away after the break.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kessie racially abused by alleged AS Roma fans in AC Milan's victory ' Goal.com Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie was racially abused by a section of alleged AS Roma fans in AC Milan's 2-1 win on Sunday at Stadio O...

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • GOAL.COM

Converts penalty kick against Roma Kessie took two shots (one on target), won three of three tackles, drew one foul and scored a goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Roma.

Impact Kessie was clutch from the penalty spot after focusing on the defensive work for the majority of the contest. He is heating up after a relatively slow start as he has tallied two goals, six shots, six chances crated and six duels in the last six appearances. Milan will face Porto at home in Champions League Wednesday and then Inter Sunday.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wins ten duels against Torino Kessie (illness) had two interceptions, drew two fouls, won ten duels and had three successful take-ons in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Torino.

Impact Kessie returned after missing two games due to an illness and focused mostly on defending in this one. He had scored his first goal right before the absence. He has tallied seven chances created, ten tackles and 11 interceptions in nine matches. Milan will face Roma away Sunday.

OCTOBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Tuesday Kessie (illness) will feature in the starting XI versus Torino on Tuesday.

Impact Kessie is back on the pitch following a two-game stint on the shelf. In eight appearances across both European and domestic competition, the midfielder generated one goal on five shots (two on target) 10 clearances and nine tackles (three won). Now fully fit, Kessie should be a mainstay in the starting XI moving forward.

OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will return against Torino Kessie (illness) has looked good in practice and will be available for Tuesday's game versus Torino, coach Stefano Pioli announced.

Impact Kessie missed a game due to a non-COVID illness and quickly shook it off. He could start over Sandro Tonali or Ismael Bennacer midweek. He has scored once and recorded five shots, seven chances created and eight tackles in six Serie A games.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss Bologna game Kessie will miss Saturday's game versus Bologna because of the flu, coach Stefano Pioli announced.

Impact Kessie has thus far tested negative for COVID, as Milan has had two cases last week. Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali will likely pair up in the midfield since Tiemoue Bakayoko only recently returned from injury.

OCTOBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE