Stefano Pioli knows that his AC Milan side must perform a lot better than they did one week ago to overcome the 1-0 deficit against Roma and reach the Europa League semi-finals.
To do this, according to Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews), he will need two fundamental things: first of all a much more resilient and attentive defensive performance and not the one seen a few days ago against Sassuolo in the league.
Then he needs Rafael Leao to have an evening where he shows exactly what he can do and why he is the highest paid player in the squad. The jeers in the first leg affected him, and those close to him assure that he wants to take revenge at all costs.
In the press conference on the eve of yesterday, Pioli spoke about this evening’s match at the Olimpico: “We have talent, character and mentality. We know what to do. And when we are well we can beat anyone.
“De Rossi says that for us it is the last resort? Yes, to be able to go to the semi-finals. But we will play the Champions League next year and tomorrow (today) we will do our best.”
Given the need to overcome the 1-0 deficit in the first leg for Roma, many thought that Pioli would have focused on a strongly attacking line-up from the first minute, especially given the form some players are in.
However, this won’t be the case. The paper adds that it will be the usual four up front of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao behind Olivier Giroud. Samuel Chukwueze will initially start from the bench, ready to come on during the match.
Predicted Roma XI (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Bove, Paredes, Pellegrini; El Shaarawy, Lukaku, Dybala.
Predicted Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Musah, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud. All. Pioli.
