ISMAEL BENNACER NEWS

Assist in UCL return Bennacer assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and two chances created in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Girona.

Impact Bennacer returned from a calf injury with Serie A action on Dec. 29. After beginning his 2025 calendar year as a healthy scratch, Milan's team started him in consecutive domestic-league games. The starts continued Wednesday, and Bennacer rewarded his head coach's decision by logging an assist to a goal scored by Rafael Leao. Bennacer had competed in two previous UCL seasons for AC Milan but never recorded an assist until now. Even though much of his current season has been dented by the aforementioned calf injury, he still possesses plenty of time to make this campaign a meaningful one, and it already is.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Plays one half against Roma Bennacer (calf) had two shots on target, one key pass, one cross (zero accurate) and one clearance in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Roma.

Impact Bennacer looked reasonably well for somebody who hadn't played in months and contributed offensively in the second half. Milan elected for a coaching change after the game, which could shake up the hierarchies. They aren't deep in the midfield but have two studs, Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders at the top of the depth chart.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will return from serious injury Bennacer (calf) "is fit and very motivated. He can't go 90 minutes, but he's ready and will play against Roma," coach Paulo Fonseca announced.

Impact Bennacer will be available for the first time since August as he suffered a major calf injury early in the season. He'll deputize Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders at first, but the gaffer could find a way to field all three together eventually. He posted one key pass, four crosses (one accurate), two corners and one tackle (one won) in his lone appearance so far.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes surgery Bennacer went under the knife to address a calf tear and will return in four months, Milan announced.

Impact Bennacer ultimately opted for the surgery route and will return in January at the earliest. Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Youssouf Fofana and Yunus Musah will soak up most of the minutes in the various positions in the midfield.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will be sidelined for months Bennacer was diagnosed with a calf tear and will be out for three or four months depending on whether he'll have surgery or not, Sky Italy reported.

Impact Bennacer will take further tests ahead of the decision about the rehab route, but he won't be coming back anytime soon either way. Yunus Musah and youngsters Silvano Vos, Kevin Zeroli, and Filippo Terracciano will pick up the slack behind the starters Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets hurt with Algeria Bennacer is returning early from international duties as he's feared to have suffered a major calf injury, La Gazzetta dello Sport informed.

Impact Bennacer will take more tests in the coming days, but the early indications are pessimistic, and he could spend multiple months on the shelf with a high-degree lesion.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Lazio game Bennacer won't travel with the team to Rome for transfer market-related reasons, Gianluca Di Marzio informed.

Impact Bennacer is in talks to leave the club and will be spared to see if his transfer materializes. Youssouf Fofana could get his first start next to Tijjani Reijnders. The alternative options are Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who can also play as a no.10.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Converts PK versus Torino Bennacer scored one goal to go with one shot (one on target), four crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Torino.

Impact Bennacer was impactful on offense and bagged his second consecutive goal thanks to a successful attempt from the spot. He has started in four of the last six rounds, totaling six shots (two on target), four key passes and nine crosses (three accurate).

MAY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Involved in two goals in Cagliari game Bennacer scored one goal and assisted once from three shots (one on target) and one chance created in Saturday's 5-1 victory versus Cagliari.

Impact Bennacer opened the scoring with a tap-in from the middle of the box after a save by the opposing goalie and teed up one of his teammates with a slick pass later. He hadn't contributed to a goal since late December. He has tallied five shots (two on target), two chances created, four tackels (all won) and five crosses (two accurate) in the last five fixtures.

MAY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Wins three tackles against Verona Bennacer registered four crosses (zero accurate) and four corners and won three of five tackles and eight duels in Sunday's 3-1 win against Verona.

Impact Bennacer shined defensively and contributed through a few set pieces on the other end in this one. He has totaled seven chances created, 17 crosses (three accurate) and 12 tackles (eight won) in his last five showings.

MARCH 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Launches nine tackles Bennacer had nine crosses (three accurate) and nine corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Empoli.

Impact Bennacer recorded a season high of crosses while also creating five chances during Sunday's win. He's started the last five Serie A games in a row, recording 13 crosses (three accurate), 10 tackles and eight chances created in that span.

MARCH 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Passable in Napoli fixture Bennacer had two interceptions, three tackles (one won), six successful duels and one clearance in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Napoli.

Impact Bennacer logged his first start in a month and only contributed defensively. He subbed out early in the second half as he was cramping up. He might be managed a little in the coming games, but he's set to have a prominent role in the midfield. He has assisted once and posted six crosses (zero one), three chances crated and nine tackles (four won) in his last five showings.

FEBRUARY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Frosinone Bennacer (thigh) "resumed working with us on Thursday after a small injury with Algeria and doesn't a lot of minutes in him, but he's fit and will be an option," coach Stefano Piol...

Impact Bennacer will return after missing four games due to AFCON and a thigh problem, but he'll begin on the bench, with either Yacine Adli or Yunus Musah getting the start in his place. He has assisted once and added three chances created, four crosses (zero accurate), and four tackles in five appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns with small thigh problem Bennacer is headed back to Italy as Algeria were eliminated in the group stage but will miss Saturday's match against Bologna due to a thigh contracture, Sky Italy reported.

Impact Bennacer will undergo further tests, but the team doesn't believe the issue to be more severe than what has emerged so far. Yacine Adli and Yunus Musah will continue to fill in as they have done in recent matches.

JANUARY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves for AFCON Bennacer has been called up by Algeria for 2024 AFCON.

Impact Bennacer has been selected despite missing several months because of a knee injury. He'll be unavailable for at least four games. Yunus Musah (thigh), Yacine Adli, and Rade Krunic will pick up the slack in the midfield.

JANUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up goal against Sassuolo Bennacer assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-0 win against Sassuolo.

Impact Bennacer was extremely active in the midfield, creating a goal for Christian Pulisic. He also contributed defensively with an interception. Having made only five appearances this season due to recovery from a knee injury, this marked his first goal involvement. As he continues to regain match fitness, expectations are high for improved performances in the upcoming matches.

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays a few minutes against Frosinone Bennacer (knee) had two passes, committed one foul, and was dispossessed once in 11 minutes in Saturday's 3-1 win over Frosinone.

Impact Bennacer (knee) started being reintroduced after missing seven points and was understandably rusty. He'll likely continue to get limited action when matches allow it. His return could affect Yacine Adli, Tommaso Pobega, and Rade Krunic while he works his way back into being a regular.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against Frosinone Bennacer (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Frosinone.

Impact Bennacer is still finally making his return, as he finally recovered from a knee injury he endured last season. This a promising return for Milan, with the midfielder being a normal starter last season and one of their best options in the middle of the pitch. He will hope to return to the starting XI next match after starting in 24 of the club's league matches last campaign.

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called up for Frosinone tilt Bennacer (knee) will be available Saturday versus Frosinone, Sky Italy reported.

Impact Bennacer has been ramping out for a month or so following a major knee injury and will be back in the squad after seven months. If things break in his favor, he'll most likely see limited action for a few games to round back into shape. He posted two goals, two assists, 43 key passes, and 79 crosses (22 accurate) in 28 Serie A appearances (24 starts) last season.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Training with ball Bennacer (knee) was viewed training with a ball on Monday.

Impact Bennacer was viewed back of the Milan training grounds for the first time in five months after rehabbing his knee injury abroad. This is a good first step for the midfielder, as his return to the squad will be a huge gain for the team. He is not expected to be back till mid-December, but that could be sooner after he was already back on the training pitch.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns in Italy Bennacer (knee) has reported to Milan after spending five months abroad to rehab, SportMediaset informs.

Impact Bennacer will begin practicing in limited fashion and slowly ramp up his activity. He might be a little ahead of schedule relative to the initial timetable and is eyeing a return in mid-December, but it'll hinge on how the joint responds to the training sessions.

OCTOBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out long term Bennacer is expected to miss at least six months after getting surgery to repair a cartilage lesion in his left knee, Milan announced.

Impact Bennacer is headed for a very long rehab and will be back in late 2023 if everything goes according to plan. Alexis Saelemaekers, Junior Messias, and Tommaso Pobega will absorb his minutes in the last few matches, and the club will likely address the role in the summer.

MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will need surgery Bennacer suffered a post-traumatic lesion of the knee cartilage in the Inter clash and will undergo keyhole surgery to fix it, Sky Italy reports.

Impact Bennacer will miss the remaining matches and will attempt to recuperate during the summer, but he's not a lock to be ready for the start of the next campaign. The early and optimistic indication is that he'll be out for at least two months, but more will be known after surgery and during the rehab. Brahim Diaz will likely resume playing centrally as a result of his injury, taking care of the role along with Charles De Ketelaere, and opening up a spot on the right wing for Junior Messias and Alexis Saelemaekers. Tommaso Pobega and Aster Vranckx could also get more minutes in the midfield.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing knee injury Bennacer left the stadium on crutches due to a strong right knee contusion, Sky Italy reports.

Impact Bennacer bowed out early and will take some tests to determine whether he suffered some structural damage and determine whether he could be available for the upcoming matches. Junior Messias, Tommaso Pobega, and Aster Vranckx are next in line in his roles.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off early Bennacer (undisclosed) was forced off during the first half of Wednesday's clash with Inter.

Impact Bennacer lasted just 18 minutes on the pitch before being forced off. Junior Messias came on to replace Bennacer, and could see consistent starts if the injury to Bennacer proves to be serious. Bennacer has started four of his last five appearances and scored once in that span.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE