How Milan could line up against Empoli – six changes from Napoli loss

By Isak Möller -

AC Milan will face Empoli after the international break and there has been a lot of discussion about the starting XI. Not just because of the injury situation, but also because they will take on Chelsea a few days later. 

The likes of Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Divock Origi will certainly miss the game. The goalkeeper will be out for a month but the other two could be back for the clash against Juventus the following weekend.

Ciprian Tatarusanu will start between the sticks, therefore, and Fode Ballo-Toure will be the man on the left-hand side. It’s possible that Pioli could give Pierre Kalulu some rest ahead of the Chelsea game, thus starting Simon Kjaer vs. Empoli instead.

The same can be said for Ismael Bennacer, who is currently out on international duty with Algeria. He will be a key player at Stamford Bridge and seeing as Sandro Tonali should be back in training on Tuesday, Tommaso Pobega could get the chance from start.

Alexis Saelemaekers has been very successful in the Champions League this season, less so in the league, and Junior Messias thus is ahead for the Empoli clash. The No.10 role is more of a 50-50 battle, with Brahim Diaz and Charles De Ketelaere battling it out.

Ante Rebic will most likely be back for this game but it’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which Olivier Giroud doesn’t start this clash. In any case, if it ends up being the XI below, then there will be six changes compared to the Napoli clash.

Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Ballo-Toure; Tonali, Pobega; Messias, Diaz, Leao; Giroud.

Tags AC Milan Empoli Stefano Pioli

4 Comments

  1. If Rebic is fit to start I say play him from the start at ST against Empoli. Giroud needs a rest. We need him fresh for Chelsea and Juventus.

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