Kyle Walker hauled off at HALF-TIME for AC Milan then watches replacement set up winner vs Verona
KYLE WALKER was hauled off at HALF-TIME during AC Milan’s clash with Hellas Verona.
The defender joined the Italian giants on loan during the January transfer window.
Walker, 34, would have been hoping that a switch to Italy would help him find his form after early season struggles in the Premier League.
He has thus far made five appearances for AC Milan, with his latest coming in Serie A.
Milan faced 15th-placed Verona at the San Siro on Saturday night, but Walker would not make it past the break.
The Englishman was hauled off at half-time by manager Sergio Conceicao.
The former Porto boss replaced Walker with Alex Jimenez, who went on to help set up the winning goal for the hosts.
The Spanish fullback played in a delicate chipped pass into the Verona box, which was cleverly flicked on by Rafael Leao and finished off by Santiago Gimenez.
Conceicao did not explain his decision to replace Walker after the game, as he did not attend any media duties.
The manager instead sent club advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his place.
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The reason behind this was due to the death of Porto president Pinto da Costa on Saturday.
The Swede said: “I am here because the coach is in the locker room.
“He is very shaken at the death of the Porto President, who was like a father to him. So I am here.”
Meanwhile, Walker’s substitution appeared to be more tactical as Milan were pressing for the win.
The defender saw plenty of the ball and won all five of his duals, and even helped in the attack with four crosses.
He did not concede a single foul and only misplaced two passes during the first half.
Conceicao’s decision could have also come with an eye on the club’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord on Tuesday.
The seven-time winners must come back from a first-leg 1-0 defeat to progress past the Dutch team.
Walker was run ragged in the first game as he struggled to contain Brazilian winger Igor Paixao.