AC Milan's season just got a lot harder.
The Rossoneri confirmed Wednesday that industrious playmaker Giacomo Bonaventura will miss four months of action - and therefore the remainder of the campaign - after undergoing successful thigh surgery in Finland.
Bonaventura suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Udinese.
"The surgery was necessary because of the complete detachment of his left adductor longus tendon from the bone and because of the partial detachment of the tendons of the internal and external oblique," read a club statement. "The tendons have all been reattached to the bone."
Unless there are complications, the 27-year-old will not be available before June.
"Sincere thanks to all Milan fans for the messages you've sent to me after the injury," Bonaventura wrote on Twitter. "Also heartfelt thanks to the doctors, my teammates, and all members of Milan for what you have done for me."
A hub of creativity and pace on Milan's left flank, Bonaventura filled roles in midfield and on the wing as the club climbed the Serie A standings. Once in second place, however, Vincenzo Montella's side is now down to seventh in the league on the heels of three consecutive losses.
Milan also lost full-back Mattia De Sciglio in the same match against Udinese after he received a dangerous tackle from behind.
The 24-year-old is expected to spend at least a month on the sidelines.