AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has some ideas about the starting line-up that will take to the field to face Hellas Verona in Sunday’s crucial game, a report claims.
According to what is being reported by this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pioli should field an unchanged defence of Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez in front of Mike Maignan.
Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer should return to being partners in the double pivot with Franck Kessie playing as the attacking midfielder, meaning Brahim Diaz should start from the bench again.
Junior Messias has a 60% chance of starting as the right winger over Alexis Saelemaekers, with Rafael Leao on the left wing completing the trident behind striker Olivier Giroud.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, Kessie, Leao; Giroud.
Probable Verona XI (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Casale, Gunter, Ceccherini; Faraoni, Tameze, Ilic, Lazovic; Barak, Caprari; Simeone.
Why can’t Pioli just start Rebic in place of both Mesias and salemakers on the right? Yes it’s not his natural position but Rebic can provide more quality than both. Milan need more convincing attack. Having Leao, Rebic, Guroud/Zlatan will provide proven class in attack. I also think Bennacer is better than Kessie at AMC, he is a better passer and playmaker. Have both Kessie and Tonali anchor as engine room.
agree about your Isma comment — he is probably most effective offensive passer of Kessie/Tonali/Benna.
But as long as Isma is on the field, I am happy! He wins tackles very well too and is great at anticipating opponents passes and getting into those passing lanes to make interceptions. I think Bennacer and Kalulu are the best at that on our team actually. Getting those interceptions.
there attack has improved with less header service and more direct kicks at goal. Agree Bennacer has a better “nose” for the ball than either Saele. or Junior……Benna. at the RW, I would rather see Rebic at the 10, he is good with both feet although right footed but tall to see passing lanes and super tough with back to goal. He played 10 at Eintracht. Seems good things happen when he and Ibra on the pitch
Rebic should start at RW for sure over Messias or Saele. He can get accurate quality crosses in with either foot… so if he’s streaking down the right sideline, if he has his man beat, he can cross w/ the right; but if they’re even, he can cut back to his left foot and also deliver a good cross. He can cut inside to score and he’s good with the combination passing. He presses so much better and more effectively than Messias.
While I agree with you Chief that he can also play the 10, the reason it’s better that he start at RW is because Kessie is a much higher quality player than Messias and Kessie can’t play RW. So, to field our best 11 players from the opening kickoff, Rebic should start at RW. I want the best 11 on the pitch so we can score goals in the FIRST HALF and not in the final 10 minutes or extra time…