Milan will monitor Pervis Estupinan after the Ecuador defender missed his country’s Kirin Cup meeting with Panama in Tokyo because of a minor knee sprain. The initial message from the Ecuador camp was reassuring, with no suggestion that the issue is serious.
Key takeaways
- Estupinan was unavailable for Ecuador’s friendly-tournament match against Panama.
- The game was played in Tokyo as part of the Kirin Cup.
- Ecuador coach Marcelo Gallardo described the problem as a slight knee sprain.
- Gallardo said there was no cause for concern over the Milan player’s condition.
- Estupinan had already completed 180 minutes during the international break, facing South Korea and Japan.
A cautious pause during international duty
The defender’s absence came after a demanding spell with Ecuador. Estupinan had featured in both of the national team’s previous fixtures during the break, playing the full match against South Korea and then another 90 minutes against Japan.
With the Panama match arriving after those two appearances, Ecuador chose not to involve him. Gallardo addressed the situation after the game, confirming that the player had suffered a minor twist to his knee but playing down the prospect of any significant injury.
“There is nothing to worry about,” the Ecuador coach said, offering a measured update that will be welcomed by Milan as the club prepares to bring its international players back into the routine of the Serie A season.
Milan await the defender’s return
For Milan, the key point is the distinction between a light sprain and a more serious knee problem. Estupinan’s workload for Ecuador had been substantial before the Panama fixture, and his omission provided a pause rather than another 90 minutes in a busy international window.
The coming days will clarify whether the defender requires any further assessment after returning to Milan. For now, Ecuador’s staff have made clear that the issue is not considered severe, leaving the club with cautious optimism ahead of the next stage of the domestic campaign.
