Stefano Pioli is expected to make a change to his AC Milan formation for the Coppa Italia clash against Atalanta this evening, with a back three being used for the first time this season.
According to the latest information from La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below), the Milan coach is going to strike a balance between the big names that start Serie A matches, and the young/fringe players that won in the previous round against Cagliari.
Mike Maignan will stay in goal, but in front of him will be a back three comprised of Theo Hernandez on the left, Matteo Gabbia in the centre, and Davide Calabria on the right. The injury crisis means just one conventional centre-back.
There will then be a midfield four that sees Yunus Musah play wide on the right, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders in the centre, and the young Alex Jimenez playing on the left in a more advanced role.
The team then looks more recognisable in attack, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic to start on the wings, with Luka Jovic getting the nod again in the Coppa over Olivier Giroud. He scored twice in the last game and has earned the chance to play again.
Probable Milan XI (3-4-3): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Hernandez; Musah, Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Jimenez; Pulisic, Jovic, Leao.
Probable Atalanta XI (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Holm, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere, Pasalic.
I think there should be at least 2 or 3 more full backs in the team. Not enough…
If true then Simic instead of Calabria
One thing i didnt understand, why open up about formation, strategy and lineup. If we give our formation and lineup 2 hours before match its okay. But its always 2 or 3 days before the match. If we want to surprise the opponent by changing formation it will be useless then…
its a probable formation, nothing official.
Its 90% official,gazzetta always get the line-up right
its still speculation regardless whether it turns out right or not as it isn’t an official statement from the club as Adli7ready seems to suggest.
Makes sense now why the management bought Terracciano and are looking for another defender. I think Pioli will shift to 3 in the back in the second half of the season.
Pioli changes formation almost every game😬
Gabbia as the only true CB? This is worrisome.
An opposing team is not going to shape their strategy around a news article.
Doesn’t look good this set up. We can only hope that Atalanta rotates too. Or that som players over achieve. Mainly Gabbia, Calabria and the whole midfield.
I hope they put Hien in the middle, he is quite prone to mistakes.