GdS: Probable XIs for Milan vs. Udinese – Pioli without Tonali and Giroud

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is not expected to field any of the new signings from the start for tomorrow’s game against Udinese, it is claimed.

As this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport reveals, Stefano Pioli is expected to field a ‘first choice’ defence with Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez ahead of number one goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Sandro Tonali is recovering from a groin injury and will miss the game so Rade Krunic is expected to get the nod over Tommaso Pobega to start in the double pivot alongside Ismael Bennacer.

Junior Messias should retain his spot on the right flank after a promising preseason, with Brahim Diaz tipped to start over Charles De Ketelaere and Yacine Adli in the No.10 role and Rafael Leao on the left.

Olivier Giroud has been training individually this week and that is why Ante Rebic is more likely to start over the Frenchman as per the paper, with Divock Origi set to be on the bench.

Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo; Bennacer, Krunic; Messias, Díaz, Leao; Rebic.

Probable Udinese XI (3-5-2): Silvestri; Becao, Perez, Nuytinck; Soppy, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Deulofeu, Success.

Tags AC Milan Milan-Udinese

11 Comments

  1. To me it makes no sense starting Diaz. I get that he knows the tactics and how to press etc, but that’s it, can’t do anything else. Pioli keeps talking about balance, but this is the opposite. Balance would be if someone was fairly good at tactics but also help the team in other ways, like a nr 10 should. I think Adli or CDK should be more than able to do that. If not, play Krunic. Did Pioli already forget that he won the last games of the season by playing Krunic instead of Diaz, who was not bringing anything to the table?

  2. Udinese was one of two teams we didn’t win against last season, the other being Juventus. Let’s whip their asses tomorrow and send a strong message to the others.

  3. I hate this..!! I understood if CDK will play from the bench or not even play this match as he still need to adapt to the team. But, Adli? He shows that he is ready.. proved better

  4. The coach is playing it safe for the 1st game, use it to set the tone and integrate the new guys gradually. Makes complete sense to me

  5. Trash line up, pioli stupidity have set in motion, he thinks he can do whatever he wants because he won the scudetto.

    For those who think Sanchez was not needed, let’s see how krunic (electrocuted legs) will fair , Diaz starting when we have Adli who have been impeccable……okay, we think udinese will come and gift us the point right? Worst thing will be losing our first match at home and set a negative tone for this season, pioli will understand how Milan fans are……dude letting the scudetto get to his head

  6. Rebic does not play as deep in the box as Giroud, so maybe O.K. to have Diaz at the 10 . As to Krunic playing the 10 I agree ,he did fine there last year however with Tonali out that option is off the table. Adli looked great preseason,so anticipate he will play the second half, main thing is to win tmrw. Draw or loss not acceptable against a mid table team. Cannot wait.

  7. Lol, everyone needs to calma. Brahim had a good start last season, and he had whole pre-season to rebuild his form.

    It’s good for squad continuity and for his confidence to not throw him into the dumpster right away. And – believe it or not – he can, and will be useful this season.

    Ofcourse, like everyone, I would like to see Adli and CDK in action right away, but they will get their chances off the bench as well. Pioli will not hesitate to sub off Diaz at HT if it’s still 0-0.

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