It’s no secret that Paulo Fonseca has taken a liking to Alexis Saelemaekers in the last few weeks and according to a report, the Belgian could start in Milan-Torino tonight. Samuel Chukwueze, as such, could be on the bench.
Chukwueze and Saelemaekers both did very well during the pre-season and the decision isn’t obvious. On the other hand, one could argue that the Nigerian has been the most prolific out of the two, also with a point to prove after last season.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), the Belgian is currently ahead 55-45 while Malick Thiaw has overtaken Matteo Gabbia 60-40 for the last centre-back spot. Up front, Luka Jovic is also ahead of Alvaro Morata 55-45.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Loftus-Cheek; Saelemaekers, Pulisic, Leao, Jovic.
Predicted Torino XI (3-5-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Vojvoda, Coco, Masina; Bellanova, Ricci, Linetty, Ilic, Lazaro; Sanabria, Zapata.
It remains to be seen if there will be some surprising changes in the end, but the most important thing is clinching all three points. Milan have a very positive record at home against Torino, but there will surely be some nerves as it’s not just the season opener but also Fonseca’s first game.
Saladmaker instead of Leao if Fonseca has real balls, lol.
Like everyone one I wanna see chukweze, but we need to give the coach credit. At least for now.
I wouldn’t mind seeing chuku once Fofana starts playing. Until than I prefer someone like Salaemakers who helps more in the defensive phase.
Pain
This will be like taking poop on Chukwu’s head,hyped him to the max,gave him so much hope and bench him in the end again.
I would prefer an reward Chuku… he need this confidence
Also I’m not getting fooled. I watched Salemaekers for 3+ years, he didn’t turn into a completely different player in 1 pre season. That’s why we were so excited when Chuk was signed, but he never got a chance.
Salemaekers helped deliver the Scudetto and Champions League semi-finals but I am sure he wasn’t good enough for your lofty expectations…..
He’s fine, but he’s not a starter. Let’s not forget Messias benched him a lot of the time
We will use this formation filled by mostly young players with Maignan will be the oldest player.
Young players who won’t be with the club for more than a couple of seasons so what’s the point?
I’ll admit, it really irks me that Salad is back. I thought those days were in the past, with mediocre players like that, not fit for AC Milan. Of course, if this is the starting lineup, I can only hope that he proves all us doubters wrong. I feel the same about Jovic, I don’t think he is worthy…..but let’s see……
Salad can be good but on right side, deputy to Leao…
But WHO know, today it is 3th expected starting 11 what I saw..
He’s already proven you wrong by delivering an actual Scudetto.
But I get it’s a vibe thing so not sure much will change for you.
You make it sound like he was the reason milan won the scudetto lol. There have been many players on teams that have won the scudetto but doesn’t mean they’re good enough for a top team.
If he plays well he plays well, and if the team plays well with him as a solid contributing factor, then good. What’s good for Milan is good for all of us, doesn’t matter if you or I are right or wrong.
Like Woldik mentioned, we have seen three different probable starting
lineups so far, so let’s just see what happens.
Total click bait. Next they’ll say Leao might switch to keeper 😂
I’m sorry, where is the clickbait?
I think maybe you just clicked it unfortunately.
We will know soon enough if GdS had it right.
I’m guessing Sally starts b/c of his work rate and the clear value Fonzy places on it. Chuk works but he’s less impact per effort (the “rate” part of the work.)
Even if Fonseca decides to bench Leao and start Salad, all I am concerned with is the 3 points
Chuku pairs better w Pulisic imo. but I think by late in the game we may be watching Salad and Chuk, w Pulisic’s ankle on ice.
I hope you are right about Puli. But who is the CAM.
For Sally and Chuk to be on at same time then Leao needs to come off.
The idea that we can start resting Leao and/or Puli because we have the game under control would bode well for the long season ahead.
4-2 Milan
Jovic, Leao, Sally and Theo with goals
Puli with two assists, Leao with another.
We given up one early in the first half getting caught in the high line. We suffer another position defensive error late in the game as the subs struggle to keep the rhythm.