AC Milan are taking on Lazio this evening in what is a must-win, having clinched just one point in the first two games. With some surprises in the starting XI, there will be a couple of interesting battles at Stadio Olimpico.
Paulo Fonseca is set to make some bold decisions regarding the starting XI as Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao reportedly will be benched. It’s a big statement from the manager who clearly didn’t appreciate their attitudes last time out.
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In any case, there will be some interesting battles out there tonight and below, we have picked out five of these…
The key battles
Let’s start at the back from Milan’s perspective. Mattia Zaccagni can be lethal on a good day and instead of Davide Calabria, he will be up against the new signing Emerson Royal. It will be an opportunity for the Brazilian to prove himself, following a subpar debut.
On the opposite flank, Adam Marusic is a right-back who likes to overlap and will surely give Filippo Terracciano some problems. The Milan full-back struggled defensively in the pre-season and much like Emerson, this will be an opportunity to prove the fans wrong.
In the middle of the pitch, Tijjani Reijnders will move in the same areas as Matteo Guendouzi and it remains to be seen how the physical battle will end. The Dutchman is clearly better technically but strength hasn’t always been his best trait.
Samuel Chukwueze will get the chance from start and he must replicate what we saw during the pre-season. A goal or assist could be all that it takes to build enough momentum and confidence, but he will be up against the strong left-back Nuno Tavares.
Finally, Noah Okafor will be the starting striker again given the injuries and he will likely target Alessio Romagnoli. Milan fans know him well and with that in mind, the Italian isn’t always brilliant when defending against fast and technical players.
Yes GIAMPAOLO FONSECA for wanting to put stupid authority!!! (LEAO and THEO) IS GOING TO BREAK THE TEAM
Say what?
Look, there’s one thing I must point out: if he’s not doing this with full endorsement and even encouragement from the board, we have to admit that the guy is a muthafvcka with real balls…
But anyway… That said, I reiterate what I stated previously: if the experiment fails, in my opinion the man will be completely fucked: you don’t bench the big senators from a team without even bigger consequences.
Look, there’s one thing I must point out: if he’s not doing this with full endorsement and even encouragement from the board, we have to admit that the guy is a muthafvcka with real balls…
But anyway… That said, I reiterate what I stated previously: if the experiment fails, in my opinion the man will be completely fvcked: you don’t bench the big senators from a team without even bigger consequences.
I agree. Terracciano… wtf? It’s like he wants to get fired at this point.
In short: he can be a dvmbass, but at he’s a dvmbass with guts and personality 😂. I understand and in a way even can admire this.
*but at least
Whaat terraciano??
Emerson is on teraciano level and they paid 15 mil for him
Love it, let’s see some futuro players as back up to the back ups and let Rafa and Theo watch from the bench what it looks like to play with heart and hunger. Even in high school leagues players who stop playing after making a mistake are benched. Never stop running, you make an error you chase the ball down and make up for the mistake by a good follow up play. Cry about errors after the game.