AC Milan's Bonaventura, Mati out at least 7 days

AC Milan lost influential playmaker Giacomo Bonaventura and unlucky midfielder Mati Fernandez for next Sunday's match against Crotone after the two picked up injuries on the weekend, the team announced.

Bonaventura tweaked his left hamstring toward the end of Saturday's clash at Empoli, while Mati - who missed the season's first couple of months - lasted just 10 minutes before coming off with a muscle problem.

The Rossoneri said both will "undergo further examination in seven days' time."

One of Milan's standout performers, Bonaventura's absence represents the biggest blow to manager Vincenzo Montella, who's deployed the Italy international as both a left-sided midfielder and winger as necessary. No other Milan player has created more chances (28) than the former Atalanta man.

Mati, meanwhile, has barely started his new adventure in northern Italy. The 30-year-old made his Milan debut in late November because of an injury suffered on international duty. He's enjoyed only 58 minutes on the pitch so far this season.

Fortunately, third-place Milan hosts 19th-place Crotone at home Sunday - a match it should win even without a protagonist like Bonaventura in the squad.

If both players require more time on the treatment table, however, they could miss the month's most important fixture, Dec. 12 against Roma.