AC Milan are taking on Lazio away from home this evening and after two games without a win, the Rossoneri must bounce back with a strong performance. According to a report, Paulo Fonseca has decided to make a statement with the starting XI.
It has been a tough start to the season for Milan and as the transfer window closed at midnight, there is no turning back for them. Now, it’s up to Fonseca to get his team in order and collect some points, starting tonight as Lazio are up at Stadio Olimpico.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Fonseca has decided to make a statement with his XI as the likes of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao will be on the bench. Both were heavily criticised last time out, especially the left-back.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Terracciano; Reijnders, Fofana; Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Okafor.
Predicted Lazio XI (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Patric, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Tchaouna, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos.
The game is scheduled for 20:45 CEST and as said, this is truly a must-win for Milan as heading into the international break without a win would be devastating. Having said that, Lazio away has never been an easy fixture for the Rossoneri.
If he really does this he’ll earn the respect of many fans. Leao and Theo desperately need a lesson.
If he really does this he’ll earn the respect of many fans. Leao and Theo desperately need a lesson.
…but he also digging his own grave with Royal and Terracciano as the full backs. Tchaouna can make a havoc for Lazio
Dude Calabria has been awful the last two games and Theo in the last one. He has no choice.
It will be a nice call. Leao needs to be reorganized.
This is great but not Emerson Royal, has to be Calabria and would prefer Liberali over RLC anyday, but not even called up.
This is definitely the right thing to do but if Fonseca insists on playing 4231 we are still screwed.
These comment section are actually disgusting. How can u be with theo and leao being benched. For leao I understand but for theo, really he only played 1 full 90 mins and he did bad but u guys are justifying him being benched. What a joke
In my view, and possibly other fans as well, it’s unacceptable to not put in the effort. Sure they can make mistakes or play badly sometimes, but how can you justify not running, not pressing?
People say that Theo is not fit, he’s tired after the Euros, but when Man scored after Theo just decided to not follow in in the box, it was the second minute of the game. Was he unable to run after 2 minutes of playing? No, he was unwilling.
Nothing new from the lot, last season they were shouting slurs and wanted Mike out because of his injury woes.
Why Leao? He did create our only goal last week. While Theo jogged back on both conceded goals.
Not sure why Liberali’s not in the MD squad! Theo and Leao’s egos are well overdue taking down a peg or two – Realising they are mortal might wake them up..
Nice Fonseca and sell them all 3. I dont like watch GOD players at my club
Allow him do his job, we hold him responsible. We cannot all be satisfied with his decisions. Support and hope for the best.
Forza Milan
The first change he should have done was to move RLC. Anyhow, constantly playing with formations is not a look good for a coach. So far, Fonseca looks lost and out of his league.
King ruben on AM. He might do better to put okafor there and King ruben on ST, or better yet on the bench
My sentiments exactly, bench RLC, always jogging and no defensive ability.
The area I have concern is benching Leao.. without him in the wing is like riding a tiger.
When he knows Leao is not reliable he should have insisted that this Management go for Chiesa.. If chiesa is there , Leao will sit up. I pray we won’t be humiliated without. LEAO and I hope his choices work well. Imo, Leao still intimidate opponent with his presence but Calaibra and Theo have been so bad and need to be relegated to the bench.
Sure… I agree fully with you. Missing on chiesa is losing seriousness from leao…cos there’s no competition.
But most importantly there’s no life in our attacking midfield..Compare Milans midfield pretenders and Inter’s Chalhanoglu, Barely, etc..
A STRIKER IS USELESS IF NO ONE FEEDS HIM
Shame some players are out injured or not fit. Maybe also risky but a formation change would be good. I would like us to try 352 or 532. I think three cbs while we cant defend to save ourselves would be a good move. Gets bartesaghi and gabbia involved. And maybe gives thiaw a bit more confidence having extra back up.
This is the move typical of a dead man walking. Reeks desperation. Thinks he is smart, but he is not.
100%. Already losing the dressing room and this won’t help. Makes you wonder if pioli was given these funds what the team would be playing like
“Already losing the dressing room and this won’t help.”
Is he? He’s showing the bench players that they can earn their starting spot by showing character and fighting spirit. They play who deserve to play. If that doesn’t lift the team spirit I don’t know what will. But I do know that having a “season pass” to the starting eleven no matter what doesn’t do good for the dressing room either.
I’m okay with benching leao and theo.
But playing terraciano as lb is very worrying.
This is management’s fault for not signing a left back deputy or even someone who challenge theo’s position and even replace him if he’s gone.
Kinda think were missing krunic now in midfield. I think napoli have done well with signing mctominay and gilmour. One of them would’ve done good for us. Both around 15 million. Gilmour played for chelsea so i dont know why we didnt try to get him…
We’ve had 3 RBs but they decided to loan out Kalulu and flush the funds down the drain for Emerson.
Now we’re watching Terracciano on LB when Theo is out.
Another masterpiece from the management on recruitment.
Terraciano actually played ok the last time against monza. Still a bit leaky in defense duties. Hes more of a winger. Thats why 352/532 is better with our wing backs. Out Wing backs cant defend. I would have terraciano over hernandez at the moment. And sub bartesaghi on to give him some minutes in the position too
Leao on the bench sure but not theo. He should be starting even with one leg. Big decision by Fonseca. Lets see how the players react.
Theo had only one leg in the match against Parma and it cost us two goals and 3 points. We need the whole Theo and not only parts of him.
Call it demotions or resting players, now is the time to hammer out the problems. Not ten games from now. It’s nice that Pulisic can play effectively all the way across. Terraciano is Italian. He’ll stand up today.
Terra is worst, why ge didn’t try Alex in LB, Alex seen better than Terra in LB or even Bartesaghi.
With this squad being upgraded, I am convinced Pioli will do great
This would be refreshing and it would be needed for Fonseca to really take the locker room as the coach. RLC as the 10 is still so ugly to look at it but given the midfield options right now, I get it if you’re trying to bench some players. If Bennacer is healthy though and we’re keeping him, he could start alongside Fofana and let Reijnders play as the 10. I really hope Chuck looks better, his performance this season is one of the key points to what shape this team will have moving forward.
Clearly he did not watch replays of the first two games ..why Loftus is still on this team is beyond me.
Does he have the balls to bench Theo and Leao???
I will respect him a lot more for it if he actually fields players based on merit because let’s be honest – both were awful last two games.
This sends a message to the team. No player above the club. Pioli never did that – play fine, play like s]-[!t – doesn’t matter, you can start again.
i’d prefer him to have a serious talk and giving another chance before benching. but if he’s really doing it, its also ok.