AC Milan returned to winning ways against Fiorentina last night but Stefano Pioli is already thinking about the visit of Borussia Dortmund and how his team might look.
According to Calciomercato.com, Rafael Leao will be the big absentee as he has not yet recovered from the injury he suffered against Lecce. His recovery path will continue with extreme caution, to have the Portuguese available from next month.
Not even Simon Kjaer will be part of the list of players called up as the physical problems continue for the veteran defender, who is continuing his individual program to return to being available to Stefano Pioli.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to the field during last night’s match against Fiorentina off the bench. The English player will be central to the tactical idea that the Rossoneri coach is preparing to face the Bundesliga side.
The former Chelsea player – like Bennacer was last year – will be the glue from midfield and attack, carving out space in the attacking midfield role and dropping back to help out when possession is in the hands of the Germans.
Due to Yunus Musah’s disqualification, Rade Krunic will join Tijjani Reijnders in the double pivot, giving greater freedom to the number 8, ready to regain a starting shirt in place of Tommaso Pobega.
Leao’s absence will be compensated by Christian Pulisic playing on the left and Samuel Chukwueze on the right, while Olivier Giroud will take back his leading role at the centre of the attack. A 4-3-3, therefore, which will change into 4-2-3-1 in the transition phase.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo; Krunic, Reijnders; Chukweuze, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Giroud.
Fine with me
It will work for me as long as we win. Let’s see what Pioli will do without Leao against a very strong team.
What do you mean what Pioli will do? There’s no magic way to replace Leao, he’s literally irreplaceable. In the UCL it’s up to the players – shown by the win against PSG where everyone gave 110%. At the end of the day Leao is our best player so it’s Pulisic and Chuk who need to step up
Yes you are right. Dortmund’s weakness is their fullbacks so we need a lot from our wingers or from Theo if Pioli wants to repeat Fiorentina tactic. In defense we need to be mindful of Brandt and füllkrug they are in form. If we win in the midfield RLC could have a big game.
“There’s no magic way to replace Leao, he’s literally irreplaceable. ”
Yes and no. Magic way to replace Leao? No magic needed – just team play. When Leao plays, Milan rely on his magic. When he doesn’t play, others will step up and every attack doesn’t go through the left wing.
Literally irreplaceable. No. He’ll be replaced by Pulisic. Plain and simple. And Pulisic can provide key passes and TBH is a better finisher too. But once again the question is… Who does the same on the right side now that Puli is LW? Call me crazy but I’d rather start with Florenzi than Chuku. He’s a good crosser and gives his 100% at both ends. Also isn’t more predictable than Robben & Suso combined.
Just win the game. Dortmund are heavy pressers of the ball though
Please Pioli we also need Chaka Traore to feature in that match
Like as substitute
No centre back on the bench is a big concern.
Perfect opportunity for Chuk to use his speed and counter. This the night we need him to break out and show his best performance levels.
Chuk is not a very fast player. He relaies more on dribling than speed. But yea i hope it will be his night.
Chuk is quick but not a fast player. Not sure why people think he’s fast.
For the players available this is a decent idea for a starting 11. I was thinking Pioli was going to sub in a new manger maybe Unai Emery. He has done fantastic with Aston Villa this season.
Pioli without Leao, Okafor, Musah, Benna, Kjaer, Kalulu, and Sportiello. Hopefully it will be a win against Dortmund and without anyone injured too especially Puli, RLC, Mike, Theo, Tomori, and Giroud.
Anyway. Juve vs Inter is a draw so only 4 point and 6 points gap with them. Next we’ll played Frosinone while Inter vs Napoli and Juve vs Monza.
Play a solid defensive game and try to get a goal on the counter. I think that is the best approach for this game.