AC Milan could look very different when they take to the field against Cagliari in the Coppa Italia this evening as Stefano Pioli is expected to name a very young side.
Whilst the Coppa Italia is certainly not Milan’s priority, the Rossoneri went out to Torino at this stage last season and a cup run could be what some players need to gain a bit more confidence to take into Serie A matches.
According to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below), there could be four players under the age of 20 in the starting eleven. Mike Maignan is expected to remain in goal, whilst Davide Calabria holds his place at right-back.
The two centre-halves will be Jan-Carlo Simic, making his first start, and Theo Hernandez. At left-back, there may be a debut for Alex Jimenez who has been impressing under Ignazio Abate in the Primavera team.
With this being a 4-2-3-1 formation, the midfield two is expected to see Yacine Adli get a rare start, with Tijjani Reijnders alongside him.
Given he is about to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations, Samuel Chukwueze will start on the right wing. Luka Romero will get a rare start in the No.10 role, whilst there may be a start for Chaka Traore on the left wing in place of Rafael Leao.
Olivier Giroud will be rested, which means a start for Luka Jovic.
