AC Milan beat Lecce on Sunday night, but attention has instantly turned to the big game of the weekend, away from home against Roma.
As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanPress) report this morning, Milan will face a tough six-pointer on Sunday evening against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. They are fourth in the table, four points behind Massimiliano Allegri’s man, and will want revenge after the 1-0 loss at San Siro.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Alterations expected
Given that Milan have had a period of five games in 18 days to begin 2026, there has already been quite a bit of rotation from Allegri. It has not been uncommon to see five or more changes from one match to the next, to try and keep everyone fresh and sharp.
In the match at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, there could be more tinkering. Strahinja Pavlovic – who missed out in the last two matches after getting stitches in his head – should return to the starting line-up in defence, alongside Matteo Gabbia and Fikayo Tomori.
In midfield, Luka Modric – who started on the bench against Lecce – is likely to return to the XI. Adrien Rabiot feels almost certain of a spot, with just the right-sided mezzala to be determined, a role Samuele Ricci had on Sunday.
The biggest doubt is on the right flank. It is uncertain if Alexis Saelemaekers will recover, so Allegri is studying possible alternatives. The most obvious option is Zachary Athekame, Saelemaekers’ back-up, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be used as a wing-back. Finally, there is the slim possibility of a 4-3-3.
RLC as a wingback against Wesley hahaha, good luck with that. Also, KDW deserves to start over Tomori based on recent performances
💯
Tomori has been extremely unreliable lately. I agree KDW being in better form ATM.
Why not replace salad with Tomori and have KDW replace him at the back three.
I’d replace salad with chips, but i also thought of replacing saelemaekers with tomori
Most probable scenario in my view as well. RLC as wing back will be 100% disaster, Athekame had some good minutes in him in the last few occasions he got some minutes. Not sure about starting him though.
I also hope KDW becomes mentally stronger as he looks terrified most of the time when he is with the ball and his passing back to the GK all the time says the same.
There would be no CB subs. That’s impossible for Allegri because this is how he picks a team
1) “How won’t we concede a goal in this match”
2) “What are out bench options”
3) “How will we score”
In that order too. So, there has to be one CB on that bench.
Play Jashari alongside Modric and Rabiot. This is our best midfield. Especially against teams that press man to man like Roma having another press-resistant midfield like Jashari would be helpful. And Rabiot can be more free of build up duties.
RLC don’t even know how to play his own position let alone RWB.
I like the idea of a Jashari, Modric, Rabiot midfield, but only if Modric controls the flow of the build up. While Jashari is aggressive with the ball ( a definite strength), that strength can also lead him into questionable decisions. For example, against Lecce he dribbled into 4 or 5 defenders twice in that game and lost possession in center midfield both times. If that happens against Roma, they’ll shove the ball down our throats on the transition. Aggression is good. Intelligent and selective aggression is better.
I think it’s simple against Roma:
AS56 fit – 352
AS56 not fit – 433
RLC is no wing back. Hell I’m not even sure he has a steady position to call his own.
RLCs position is substitution for the last 30 mins somewhere in midfield when game is more open and teams are not perfectly organised anymore. imo he’s actually quite good for this situation, physical and technical player who wins duels and can exploit room when others are getting tired legs. he’s also pretty useful for defending set-pieces.
Can’t see Allegri changing his 352 from the start. Maybe he’ll switch if the result requires it, but he has been fairly consistent with his preferred line-up.