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Liverpool hero Divock Origi could be handed AC Milan start in Champions League semi-final after injury

Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi could start for AC Milan in their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan on Wednesday night

Divock Origi of AC Milan(Image: Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Divock Origi could be in line to start AC Milan's huge Champions League semi-final first leg against rivals Inter Milan in the San Siro on Wednesday night.

A late call will be made on the fitness of star man Rafael Leao after Milan manager Stefano Pioli said on Tuesday the winger is suffering with a muscle injury.


Leao has managed 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions so far this season but is a doubt for the first instalment of the all-Milan battle after being withdrawn after just 13 minutes in the 2-0 home win over Lazio in Serie A on Saturday..


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Pioli told reporters on Tuesday via ESPN: "Today he (Leao) trained, tomorrow I will decide what to do. I'm going to bed quietly tonight, anyway in the morning Rafa and the doctor will tell me his condition. If he is well he will be called up, otherwise not.

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"If the test is clean he can play. If it is not clean he cannot play - either from the start or the end. I would have preferred to do it today, but it was not possible."

Origi joined Milan in the summer after his Liverpool contract expired. The Belgian striker has been on the periphery of things since making the switch to the San Siro, with 23 of his 32 appearances coming off the bench.

However, Origi has huge experience of the Champions League. He scored twice in the famous semi-final comeback win over Barcelona and then in the final against Tottenham Hotspur when the Reds won the European Cup for the sixth time in 2019.

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The winners of the tie between the Milan giants will take on Manchester City or Real Madrid in this year's final. A goal from Kevin De Bruyne earned City a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Madrid after Vinicius Junior opening the scoring.

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