AC Milan return to league action tonight as they take on Hellas Verona at San Siro, hoping to return to winning ways after the defeat against Feyenoord in midweek.
In truth, Milan remain obligated to win while the gap to the Champions League places remains, but with Lazio facing Napoli and Juventus hosting Inter this weekend there is potentially an opportunity to gain ground on the teams above.
The predicted starting XIs
As highlighted in our pre-match preview, there remains a list of absences for Milan to deal with. Fikayo Tomori will serve a one-game ban after his red card in Empoli, while Emerson Royal, Alessandro Florenzi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Luka Jovic are injured.
La Gazzetta dello Sport believe it will be a four-man back line of Kyle Walker, Malick Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlovic and Theo Hernandez in front of the goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
They predict a rest for Tijjani Reijnders, meaning Filippo Terracciano to partner Youssouf Fofana in midfield. Yunus Musah, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao should support Santiago Gimenez in attack.
There are some doubts, though: Felix-Reijnders-Chukwueze are listed as a 40-30-30% chance of starting respectively. Leao has a 60% chance of starting over Sottil, and Pavlovic 60% over Gabbia.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Theo; Fofana, Terracciano; Musah, Joao Felix, Leao; Gimenez.
Predicted Verona XI (3-4-1-2): Montipo; Daniliuc, Coppola, Valentini; Tchatchoua, Niasse, Duda, Bradaric; Kastanos; Suslov, Sarr.
3-3-4!
6 defend and control the game, while 4 attack… fab 4 or fantastic 4 being the attackers up front,
the 6 player block is what Inter has abused since Inzaghi came. Tiji, Bondo, Fofana making the midfield trio.
the back 3 would be tougher. Pavlovic, Walker are a must at this point. while there could be a case for any of the 3 CBs left.
Theo then is either Pavlovic’s competition or Leao’s. While Leao can also go instead of Felix more centrally and Theo taking the flank position. Or sold in the summer to finance midfielders…
Maybe we can go 2-3-5? Or even 3-2-2-3! Bring back the WM! 🙄
Expect another horrendous 1st half maybe verona being up 1-0. Another stinker from Leao. Puli comes in for Leao and bags another 2 assists or 1 goal and assist. Predictions 2-1 in the end after fatigued and tough game having to chase the win.
Terracciano should be played in the midfield and get more chances there. I always seen him more as a DM rtaher than a fullback.
But is this really a game to risk with so many changes? We desperately need to get that CL spot. And Verona can be tricky, we’ve seen it on many occasions.
he’s bad under pressure… Inter game showed that… every time he got it, he lost it… midfielders n1 role is possession which he struggles with
Yes, when he came in chaos begun. Him and Gabbia to be honest, in that game. Gabbia is usually not that clumsy, but Zagreb game disproves what I am saying.
He is rubbish, and he has been garbage in every game I have seen him in Milan.
Leao again…wtf man
Play Sottil instead
He should give Pavlovic rest also…
Ffs terraciano is our worst player
I prefer Warren Bondo to partner Fofana then terraciano should improve himself more on the defensive midfield we need Sottil to give his best for the team.
Bondo is injured.
No, he has recovered and is on the bench. I also would prefer a Bondo coming back from injury than Terracciano who together with Emerson and Origi, is one of the three worst players we have.