AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri is expected to tweak the formation slightly for tonight’s game against Bologna.
The big issues for Allegri to battle are in the forward department, given that Rafael Leao is still struggling with a calf injury, Christian Pulisic has come back from the United States with some fatigue and Christopher Nkunku is not yet close to 100% either.
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Milan vs. Bologna: Predicted starting XIs
According to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, it will be Santiago Gimenez who leads the line for Milan in a 3-5-1-1 formation. The Mexican scored a last-minute equaliser against South Korea over the international break so will be hoping to build on that.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected to act behind him as the attacking midfielder, with Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot as the midfield trio. Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan are expected to be the two wing-backs.
The three-man defence is expected to be unchanged, with Fikayo Tomori as the right centre-back, Matteo Gabbia as the middle centre-back and Strahinja Pavlovic on the left. Mike Maignan will be between the posts, hoping for another clean sheet.
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-1-1): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Loftus-Cheek; Gimenez.
Typical Italian style / allegri style. 3-5-1-1.. where’s Ricci ?
Ricci will play when Modric is not
Orsolini will exploit estupinan
Benching Pulisic (who is the actual AM by the way) for Soft ass cheeks.
Pulisic is not 100% fit and he returned later than everyone else from international duties which he played in both games for the US.
RLC is fresher and ready to go. Ricci plays the same position as Modric. So unless Allegri plays Modric further forward then Ricci will be a sub for Modric.
If you reason for not starting Pulisic is freshness then Ricci is fresher than Modrić. Also, the US matches were friendlies not qualifiers.
LOL. If you fail to realize WHY a not-so-fresh Modric beats fresh Ricci 999 times out of 1000, there is no hope for you.
Well looking at this lineup, Bologna is way better, for sure offensively.
Haram Football under Allegri it is!!
What about Ricci
Honestly i want to see balentien again. That kid amaze me. His speed and agression is something else.
Forza Milan! I hope we can get out this one with a W.
We are up against the wall. New members in the squad that need time to integrate against a well oiled machine who had and followed a clearly defined plan, injured starters and players who’s form have been less than ideal.
This match is going to go a long way in appeasing worries and boosting confidence or the complete opposite. Hopefully we have a good possession phase and can control the tempo in order to avoid being caught on breaks. Fingers crossed that Santiago will be clinical and prove himself to be a capable scorer. He should have been given more time and a minimum respect. That is what this game is all about, turning adversity into opportunities to prove all doubters wrong, hopefully they can do that, because I am one of many, still want the best for our club.
Let’s Go!!!
Allegri will likely say that this is the strongest starting 11 given availability. Aside from Leao and Pulisic, this is probably right.
Milan will win but the lineup is sad to see….