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.
