Massimiliano Allegri is not thinking about radically overhauling the starting XI for the game against Lazio, but will make some tweaks.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), it will not be a second-string Milan side, but some changes will be inevitable. Allegri has repeatedly emphasised in recent weeks that the Coppa Italia is one of the targets, emphasising how fascinating it is to play in the final in Rome in the spring.
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To do so again (Milan lost the final at the Stadio Olimpico against Bologna in May, while a year earlier Allegri closed out his Juventus adventure by lifting the trophy), they need to beat Lazio away from home.
It is an opponent that have won the cup four times since Milan last did, and thus the manager must juggle things carefully to avoid being dumped out of one of the main objectives before the end of the year.
What could change?
Koni De Winter will undoubtedly be in the defensive line, replacing one of the three starters: Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia or Strahinja Pavlovic. By position, the Englishman is the main candidate for rest, but surprises can’t be ruled out.
On the flanks, Alexis Saelemaekers will start on the right and Pervis Estupinan on the left, to give Bartesaghi a breather. Luka Modric will certainly be rested in midfield, likely replaced by Samuele Ricci.
Adrien Rabiot, however, isn’t expected to be rested, while Youssouf Fofana’s deployment depends on Ruben Loftus-Cheek. If the former Chelsea man is used as Rafael Leao’s partner, the Frenchman would be called upon to work overtime, otherwise Christopher Nkunku will start with RLC in midfield.
Yesterday, Christian Pulisic completed part of the session with his team-mates at Milanello, and today it will be clear whether he will be called up or not. Ardon Jashari should also come on during the match having not played a competitive game since August.
man, Just put RLC instead of Fofana and let Nkunku play too. Sink or swim for all 3. It’s a risk but those 3 need to step up
Rotate heavily. It’s just Coppa. Although with a 19man squad and 2 players out, not a whole lot of rotating you can do.
Ricci/Jashari/Rabiot seems a bit off balance, but I’ll guess we’ll see what that looks like. and can we see Leao/RLC partnership from the start?