Rafael Leao in fitness race as AC Milan train for Champions League semi-final

Portuguese forward trained alone, with manager Stefano Pioli revealing a late decision will be made regarding his availability to face Inter Milan

Rafael Leao during an AC Milan training session on May 9, 2023 ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan. EPA

AC Milan’s Portuguese defender Rafael Leao (C) runs during a training session at The Milanello Sports Centre at Carnago, north-west of Milan on May 9, 2023, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first leg semi-final football match between AC Milan and Inter Milan. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Rafael Leao during a training session in Milan, Italy. EPA

Olivier Giroud takes part in a training session at The Milanello Sports Centre. AFP

Rafael Leao attends an AC Milan training session ahead of the Champions League semi-final. EPA

Charles De Ketelaere warms up during an AC Milan training session. EPA

Charles de Ketelaere and teammates attend an AC Milan training session at Milanello Sports Centre. Getty

Junior Messias jumps for a header with Divock Origi during an AC Milan training session. Getty

L-R: Ante Rebic, Alexis Saelemaekers, Divock Origi and Malick Thiaw exercise during an AC Milan training session. Getty

AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini with players during a training session at the Milanello Sports Centre. AFP

Malick Thiaw runs during an AC Milan training session at Milanello Sports Centre. Getty

Mike Maignan looks on during an AC Milan training session at the Milanello Sports Centre. AFP

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli instructs his players during a training session at the Milanello Sports Centre. AFP

Rafael Leao looks on during a training session at the Milanello Sports Centre. AFP

Sandro Tonali during an AC Milan training session at Milanello Sports Centre. Getty

Olivier Giroud and teammates warm up during an AC Milan training session at Milanello Sports Centre. Getty

Stefano Pioli leads an AC Milan training session at Milanello Sports Centre. Getty

AC Milan took part in a training session at their Milanello Sports Centre base on Tuesday as the Italian side finalised preparations for their Champions League semi-final first leg against rivals Inter Milan.

While the majority of the squad – including Olivier Giroud, Charles De Ketelaere, and Sandro Tonali – were involved in manager Stefano Pioli's session, the most notable sight was of star man Rafael Leao training alone.

The Portuguese forward has been one of Milan's key players this season, playing a starring role in his team's quarter-final victory over recently-crowned Italian champions Napoli. But Leao sustained a thigh injury early in Saturday's Serie A match against Lazio to put his involvement in Wednesday night's Milan derby in doubt.

Leao, who has scored 13 goals and created 13 assists so far this season, went through his paces on Tuesday alongside an AC Milan physio, and manager Pioli revealed he will need to make a late decision on the 23-year-old's fitness.

“Field work was scheduled for today,” Pioli said. “Tomorrow morning he’ll try to push and if he’s OK he will be present, otherwise he won’t.

“He could start, he could be able to play ... and he may not even be on the bench. It will depend on the type of work he can do, because with his quality and characteristics he must be 100 per cent. Let's see, it's still open.”

As AC Milan prepare for their first Champions League semi-final since the 2006/07 season, the players were treated to a visit on the training ground by technical director Paulo Maldini, who captained the club to European Club glory 16 years ago.

Check out the photos from the training session in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, lick on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.