It has been a strange build-up to a big game for Sergio Conceicao, who still has some selection doubts to resolve ahead of the Feyenoord match.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Conceiçao’s eve was different than usual. The Rossoneri coach flew to Portugal on Sunday to attend the funeral of Jorge Pinto da Costa, the former president of Porto, someone that he felt incredibly close to and thus was emotional after his passing.
Having returned yesterday afternoon, shortly after 17:00 CET, Conceiçao immediately went to Milanello for the finishing touches. It is difficult to be certain about the team that he will pick for the comeback mission against Feyenoord, though.
The coach is now used to resolving doubts a few hours before the match, also to keep the tension high in the whole group. Starting from the defence, Kyle Walker and Theo Hernandez are among those who are sure of their place, then it will be Strahinja Pavlovic or Malick Thiaw with Fikayo Tomori.
Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana are the irreplaceable ones in the midfield department too, but compared to the first leg Conceicao can call upon Yunus Musah who should offer greater balance to the team especially in the non-possession phase. He should start on the right of the attack in a sort of hybrid role.
Milan need to win by two goals to avoid extra time and so the manager will name Rafa Leao on the left – back in the starting lineup after being benched in the league – Joao Felix in the centre and Santiago Gimenez up front. Christian Pulisic, not in top condition, should start on the bench.
I am not understanding why a mediocre and loan player Joao Felix starting every match and playing every minute! is it the start of potugeuse tribalism!
You have to give that confidence to PuLisic and leao it’s what they deserve
These days conceicao start to sub pulisic instead of felix! Its must until the end of the match Pulisic and leao to be in the pitch that’s must even if its not their best day
You have to give those confidence to puli leao and Tijani
This man is a loan player you can use it when it is needed but always that is humiliating other players
Same fans who complain about Pulisic and Tiji and Fofana not resting are now complaining Puli being subbed.
Too much is not good, quit while you still can.
👍👍👍
Musah brings more balance to midfield playing in the middle, not out wide. Our midfield is so handicapped… Never thought I would want RLC to be fit and back so much… FFS…