AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli must instantly start thinking about Saturday night’s game against Spezia after the 4-0 rout of Red Bull Salzburg last night.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recalls how Olivier Giroud was the hero of the night as he ended up with two goals and two assists, but Pioli is well aware that at the age of 36 running into the ground is not a good idea, so much so that around halfway through the second half with the score at 3-0 he asked the Frenchman if he wanted to come off.
Giroud was sat on a brace at that point so he obviously declined the polite invitation of the coach, wanting to complete a hat-trick for the Rossoneri, but this has an impact on the team that will likely take to the field against Spezia at San Siro on Saturday evening.
Divock Origi should therefore return to the scene against the Ligurians as the Belgian has now acquired enough athletic strength to start from the first minute, and on Saturday he is expected to get his third start for Milan after the ones against Monza and Torino.
On the other hand, Giroud can now also relax a bit after having fully carried out his duty in the Champions League, dragging the Diavolo to the second round.
Junior Messias should take back his place on the right, while in the centre of the trident there is a battle between Brahim Diaz (slightly favoured) and Charles De Ketelaere.
In the midfield we will see Pobega again, probably in place of Sandro Tonali who – unlike Bennacer – played the whole game with Salzburg. Simon Kjaer should rest which means Matteo Gabbia will be next to Fikayo Tomori, with Pierre Kalulu wide once again. The alternative is Sergino Dest to start and Kalulu-Tomori in the middle.
Why should Kalulu play CB when he’s the only quality RB at the moment? Even if Dest has to play RB, Kalulu shouldn’t play CB, when there are options of Gabbia and Thiaw, along with Kjaer and Tomori as first choice.
Agreed. Gabbia is good, dest is not. Easy choice.
Start with the same team that beat salzberg ..
That means of course that both Giroud & leao starting and perhaps Rebec on the opposite flank ..
At half time when we are winning and with this line up then perhaps make changes …We must win this match and with the great understanding that the team had in the last win ,we should encounter no problems..Our defence looked more solid ,and tomori Kalulu and Bennacer had very good games .
So yes changes but not to many to begin with .
Leao and Giroud will deliver .But our manager pioli is class and he will decide.
I love our team AC Milan ,and we have such an exciting team ,that is capable of beating anyone .
Let’s remain positive..keep believing all fans .