Franck Kessié welcomes Soualiho Meïté at Milan and reveals a 5-0 defeat against Atalanta in 2019 was a key turning point for the Rossoneri.

The Diavoli are enjoying a three-point lead over Inter on top of the Serie A table, but things looked very different for the Rossoneri one year ago as they were far from a Champions League placement and lost 5-0 against Atalanta in December 2019.

“That game was a turning point for us,” Kessié told Il Giornale.

Milan midfielder Franck Kessie said he would allow Zlatan Ibrahimovic to take penalties for the Rossoneri ‘if he feels like it’.

Ibrahimovic missed a penalty against Hellas Verona and was amusingly self-deprecating after the match, saying he would ‘leave the next one to Kessie’.

The midfielder has grabbed the opportunities from the spot but revealed he could give it back to Zlatan if the Swede ‘feels like it’ during a game.

Franck Kessié hopes Milan can win the Scudetto, but insists the Rossoneri’s target is to qualify for the Champions League and adds Ibra 'can take penalty kicks if he wants.'

Milan are enjoying a three point lead over second-placed Inter on top of the Serie A table.

“We believe we can win the title, but our target is to qualify for the Champions League,” Kessié told SportMediaset  

“The Coppa Italia is also important, is another competition we want to win, we are fighting for every trophy.

Stefano Pioli was ‘not at all surprised’ that Milan bounced back immediately to beat Torino, but the injuries and suspensions are still causing problems.

The Rossoneri put the defeat to Juventus behind them with a 2-0 victory at San Siro, decided by Rafael Leao and a Franck Kessie penalty.

Considering Roma and Inter go head-to-head tomorrow at 11.30 GMT, their lead could even extend at the top of the table.

After the short winter break, Milan should have Simon Kjaer back from injury and Franck Kessie returns in the middle against Benevento.

Tuttosport reports the Danish defender returned to training after a month out with a muscle problem and could be called up for the match against Benevento on January 3.

Kessie should return to the midfield as well, after having sat out against Lazio due to a one-match ban.

Theo Hernandez, however, has been stopped by the Sports Judge for his fifth yellow card and Diogo Dalot is expected to take his place at left-back.

Antonio Conte has asked Inter for a Franck Kessie type of midfielder, it’s reported, but realises N’Golo Kante is out of the question from Chelsea.

The coach had his transfer summit with directors today at the training ground and multiple sources including La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sportitalia and TMW all claim Christian Eriksen is on his way back to the Premier League, with Radja Nainggolan moving to Cagliari on loan.

They will be replaced by someone in the mould of Milan midfielder Kessie, a more rugged figure that Conte has requested for his squad.

Milan are reportedly optimistic of having both Ante Rebic and Sandro Tonali back against Lazio, the decision will be made today.

The Rossoneri are defending the first place in Serie A and a win against Lazio tomorrow means Stefano Pioli’s men will top the standings at the end of 2020.

But the former Fiorentina coach must cope without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer, Ismael Bennacer and Matteo Gabbia, who are all out with injuries.

On top of that, Franck Kessie is suspended and bot Rebic and Tonali must be evaluated.

In addition to absentees Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie, Milan could have to cope without Sandro Tonali against Lazio on Wednesday.

La Gazzetta dello Sport writes the former Brescial midfielder struggles with a muscle problem, forcing him to quit halfway in the 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Sunday.

The report highlights the injury adds to the one of Bennacer and the suspension of Kessie, meaning Stefano Pioli could have three of his most important midfielders unavailable against the Biancocelesti.

The Disciplinary Commission has announced the verdict after Serie A Week 13, and Milan midfielder Franck Kessie must sit out against Lazio on Wednesday.

The Sports Judge in Serie A announced the decisions after the 13th round of fixtures last weekend, when Kessie was booked during the 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Sunday.

The Rossoneri midfielder received his fifth booking of the season and must therefore sit out against the Biancocelesti on December 23.

Franck Kessie hails Milan’s refusal to give in, but is still ‘not satisfied’ with a 2-2 draw against Parma. ‘I am happy at Milan and we want to win something important.’

The Rossoneri thought luck had abandoned them when rattling the frame of the goal four times, but Theo Hernandez completed the first brace of his career in stoppages to hold Parma 2-2.