<
>

Carlos Bacca left out of AC Milan's Europa League playoff squad

Carlos Bacca has been omitted from AC Milan's Europa League playoff squad in a move that increases the likelihood of the striker leaving the club.

Bacca, 30, has been marginalised by Milan coach Vincenzo Montella this summer and his two-year stay in Italy looks to be drawing to a close with Marseille and former club Sevilla both showing interest.

Despite scoring 13 goals in 32 Serie A games for the Rossoneri last season, the arrival of 10 new players and the anticipated signing of a new centre-forward mean he no longer has a future at the club for whom he has scored 34 times in 77 outings.

Milan face Shkendija over two legs for a place in the Europa League group stage with Andre Silva, Jose Sosa and Fabio Borini the three forwards Montella has named in his squad.

The 23-player list also includes both Leonardo Bonucci and Lucas Biglia, whose transfers were not completed in time for them to play in the last round.

Milan defeated Universitatea Craiova 3-0 on aggregate without two of their summer signings since the funds needed to finalise their transfers will only arrive this coming Friday.

Both could therefore make their official debuts a week on Thursday, when the Rossoneri travel to Macedonia and their contracts have been deposited with Serie A.

Milan's Europa League tie has forced their opening Serie A fixture at Crotone to be brought forward 24 hours from Monday Aug. 21 to Sunday Aug. 20.