AC Milan face a big test of their Scudetto credentials tonight as they take on Napoli, who currently lead the league by four points.
It was known that both Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders would not make the trip to the Stadio Renato dall’Ara to face Bologna as both would serve suspensions. However, the postponement of that game means they will be suspended for the game on Tuesday instead.
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There are injury problems too with Matteo Gabbia out due to a calf issue, Luka Jovic still having back problems and Tammy Abraham still not 100% following his shoulder dislocation in the win over Udinese.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Mike Maignan should be in goal with Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlovic and Filippo Terracciano as the back four, meaning three changes from the Club Brugge game.
Youssouf Fofana should be partnered by Ruben Loftus-Cheek given Reijnders’ absence, with Christian Pulisic playing as the attacking midfielder ahead of them.
Samuel Chukwueze is expected to be the right winger but the big news is that Rafael Leao could be left out with Noah Okafor starting on the left. Alvaro Morata – as the only fit senior striker – has a place assured up front.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Terracciano; Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Okafor, Morata.
Predicted Napoli XI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia.
Without Leao Tomori and Musah we wouldn’t have bench. And game last at least 90 minutes.
Bizarre starting 11….
Please second half give us zeroli to sub Loftus cheek then 75th minutes gives us musah for attacking midfield
I believe Pav-Thiaw worked against Udinese because of their forwards being tall. Napoli have Lukaku yes but otherwise have mobile players around him. Is Tomori injured? He’d be perfect for this type of game…as a starter.
I think Tomori is one of about 5 or 6 in the squad who Fonseca’s fallen out with!
Tomori is perfect 🤦. Out of shape, makes a lot of mistakes, gets lost on the field and is often out of position. Tomori is a natural disaster for Milan at the moment.
It’s for the team he’s facing. How is he out of shape? Dude has one of the most minutes in the team. But yes,.he makes mistakes and is terrible aerially but he’ll have one partner who can cover that aspect for him. But the players he’s facing are quick and agile, so his speed would be needed..
Calabria injured? if not I think he should be obvious vs Kvara… he has the experience in that matchup, I am afraid my countryman otherwise really runs over Emerson
He’s catching up after two consecutive injuries and as much as I’d like to see him over Emerson, I doubt he’s physically ready to be thrown against the likes of Kvara. Gerry boys here would tear him apart if he fails.
Yep and they made the mistake of rushing him back from his last injury only to reaggravate it
as much as i want calabria play he would probaly get another injury and i dont want him to get injured again
Pav and Thiew can stop lukaku.
Royal and Trecciano can’t stop Kvar and politiano
We are made to conceive goals tonight. Our midfield can’t compet with thAt of Napoli’s . Aguirsser glimor mc tommy .
What is the problem of this coach. Because you beat udiness and you think it could work again against a high profile team like Napoli
I would prefer Musah and RLC next to Fofana with Puli and Chukwueze on the flanks. Morata up top. Task your most impactful player to go forward and create chances instead of dropping him deeper.
You want physicality, you have no choice but to use the American and the Brit in the middle, next to Frenchie.
I think it will look like that shape. Pulisic dropping deep into the midfield. Otherwise, I’m not sure how they get the ball to the front line. RLC isn’t exactly active in repeatedly timing runs into pockets. Maybe they just boot it and play without the ball, but playing this lineup seems to imply they want the ball. But haven’t watched Napoli enough to know what their block looks like.