Abbiati out for up to six months

AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will be out of action for five to six months following surgery on his cruciate knee ligament, the club said on Monday.

Abbiati injured his knee two weeks ago in Milan’s 5-1 victory at Siena, after which he was replaced by Brazilian Dida.

Milan said on their official website that the operation had been a complete success but not only is Abbiati’s season over, he will also miss the beginning of the next campaign.

In Dida, though, Milan have a player who was first choice goalkeeper for the rossonero for five-and-a-half seasons since joining from Corinthians of Brazil in 2002.

He lost his place to Australian Zeljko Kalac halfway through last season and the return of Abbiati – who lost his place to Dida in 2002 after four seasons as the club’s first choice number one – from Atletico Madrid at the beginning of this campaign relegated both to the bench.

Dida had not played in Serie A this season until Abbiati’s injury but had kept goal in all Milan’s UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia matches.