Giménez Bursts Back: Milan's Mexican Sniper Returns After 133 Days in the Treatment Room

Picture this: you're nursing a dodgy ankle, sidelined for over four months, and your team's been grinding through matches without you up top. That's the saga of Santiago Giménez at AC Milan, but hold onto your scarves – the Mexican hitman is finally back in first-team training. After missing 133 days and a whopping 19 Serie A games, Rossoneri supporters can breathe a sigh of relief.

From Hot Start to Sidelines

Giménez rocked up at the San Siro last January in a €35m swoop from Feyenoord, and boy, did he hit the ground running. The lad started eight of Milan's first nine Serie A fixtures, looking every bit the clinical finisher they needed. But then disaster struck – an ankle gremlin in late October during that gritty 1-1 draw with Atalanta.

He opted for surgery in December, and since then? A barren spell. We've seen him miss league clashes, a Coppa Italia tie (where he cheekily celebrated a goal in a photo from the future – time travel, anyone?), and even the Supercoppa Italiana. Milan fans have been crying out for a proper No. 9, and makeshift solutions haven't quite cut it.

As reported by Peter Young at Football Italia, drawing on intel from the legendary Gianluca Di Marzio, Giménez was spotted back with the squad on Tuesday. Perfect timing too – the lads had a day off after stuffing rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday. Nothing like a morale boost to welcome back the prodigal striker.

Road to Recovery: What's the Timeline?

Don't get too carried away, though. Coach Paulo Fonseca isn't daft enough to chuck him straight into the lions' den against Lazio this weekend. Expect a cautious return – maybe a bench spot if he's lucky, or more likely easing him in for the home scrap with Tor Torino the following week.

The good news? Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the only other absentee in the treatment room right now. Milan's squad is looking healthier than a vegan at a salad bar, and with Giménez sharpening his boots, the attack could finally click. Imagine him linking up with Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic – pure box office.

Giménez's stats pre-injury were tasty: goals in key moments, that predatory instinct honed in the Eredivisie. Milan's been 11th in Serie A at times this season, scrapping for consistency. A fit Giménez could be the spark to climb the table and challenge for those Champions League spots.

Why This Matters for the Rossoneri

Let's be real – Milan's forward line has been like a pub league side without their star player. Tammy Abraham and others have chipped in, but Giménez brings that X-factor, the ability to poach goals in a phone box. His return isn't just squad depth; it's a statement.

With the Derby win fresh in the memory, Milan are buzzing. Inter top the league? Not for long if Giménez gets his shooting boots on. Fans at the Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro to you and me) will be chanting his name soon enough.

Keep an eye on training clips – if he's sprinting like a gazelle, we're in business. For now, it's thumbs up from Milanello. The Mexican maestro is back, and Serie A just got a bit more exciting. Forza Milan!

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