Zlatan Ibrahimović's Injury Makes Rafael Leão AC Milan's Main Man Up Front

When Milan return to action for the first time in three months on Friday, they will have make do without Zlatan Ibrahimović.

As fate would have it, Milan's star striker suffered a calf injury in training, and although it wasn't as severe as initially feared, he will miss out on Milan's return to football. It's a minor blow to their chances of securing European football for next season; at the age of 38, Ibrahimović is still one of Milan's key players, despite the fact his return to San Siro hasn't been as prolific as originally hoped.

Ibrahimović's absence represents a chance, however, for Rafael Leão to step-up and begin to justify his €28m price tag. The 21-year-old has endured a testing start to life at Milan, scoring just twice in 22 games. Prior to football's postponement in March, Leão had been reduced to substitute appearances, as Stefano Pioli switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 - opting for Ibrahimović as the man up top.

With the Swede out however, Pioli will have to rely on Leão to lead I Rossoneri's frontline. Granted the burden won't entirely be on the Portuguese's shoulders with Ante Rebić proving deadly from the left-wing prior to football's postponement - scoring six in his last seven games. This means that Milan won't be dependent on Leão to score, though he'll still need to ensure to I Rossoneri aren't relying on Rebić.

It's important to remember that Leão was signed with the future in mind - hence the lack of criticism he's receiving in comparison to what he would probably receive if he was a few years older. He had shown tremendous promise at Lille, helping them to qualify for the Champions League in his only season at the French club.

But with Luka Jović linked with a move to Milan, it's crucial that Leão takes the chance to prove himself as a dependable striker in Ibrahimović's absence, or at least begin to show signs that he will one day develop into a prolific striker. He wouldn't want to turn out like his compatriot, André Silva, who was consigned to the scrapheap - sent out on loan in the hopes that they will one day recoup some of what they paid for him.

For now though, the only that should be on his mind is helping Milan to finish the season in a dignified manner. It's been yet another difficult, embarrassing season for I Rossoneri, to the point where securing a Europa League spot would be considered something of an achievement.

Let's hope that Leão can play a part in that happening.