AC Milan will hope to do as they did against Stade Rennais by getting the bulk of the work done in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie against Slavia Praha.
Head coach Stefano Pioli’s fate could well rest on how far his side get in the Europa League and he seems to recognise this, as La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report that he will pick a strong side against the side from the Czech capital.
According to the paper, there will be only one change from the side that won against Lazio and it will see Malick Thiaw return to the defensive line alongside Matteo Gabbia. Alessandro Florenzi and Theo Hernandez will be the full-backs, completing the four in front of Mike Maignan.
Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer are expected to keep their starting spot despite competition from Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah who are vying to try earn a spot. Reijnders energised Milan against Lazio, but the Franco-Algerian pairing guarantee more balance in the eyes of Pioli, at least from the start.
They also cover the runs of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who will act in the attacking midfielder position behind the centre-forward Olivier Giroud, with Christian Pulisic wide on the right and Rafael Leao out on the left.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Thiaw, Gabbia, Theo; Bennacer, Adli; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.
I think Adli and Bennacer as a pair hurt Milans attcking play and are very vulnerable in defence. They just dont work together. If they continue to play, we can expect a similar situation as we saw vs Atalanta and Lazio. Then Reijnders will come in and change the game. Adli bennacer combo is not a strong pair
Agree !! Reijnders in ! Bennacer Out !
Reijnders!!!!!!!you saw the difference he makes as he came in vs lazio
I think Reijnders should start over Bennacer.
He needs a bit more time to get back in rhythm after his injury