AC Milan will be back in action after the October international break on Sunday night when they take on Fiorentina at San Siro.
It will be a case of a friend in need returning, as Stefano Pioli’s side are currently closer to the relegation zone than a European spot after a difficult start. However, Milan will be motivated to keep their positive recent run going too, having gone six unbeaten in all competitions.
Predicted Milan XI vs. Fiorentina
There has been a running theme throughout the break for Milan: injuries. Pervis Estupinan (ankle), Alexis Saelemaekers (muscle), Adrien Rabiot (muscle) and Christian Pulisic (muscle) all picked up problems while away, while Rafael Leao was sent home as he is not yet 100%.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Pulisic is certain to miss the game, but Leao will be fit enough to get his first league start of the season alongside Santiago Gimenez. Saelemaekers and Estupinan are also expected to recover in time to start.
Rabiot will sit out with Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek flanking Luka Modric. Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic should be the three-man defence again, ahead of Mike Maignan.
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Fofana; Estupinan; Gimenez, Leao.
Playing Leao and Gimenez together makes no sense. It’s either Nkunku and Leao or Nkunku and Gimenez since Pulisic won’t be available to play.
It makes no sense to play 2 left wingers together. Thats what Leao and Nkunku are.
Gimenez plays with either Nkunku or with Leao.
Allegri is looking for someone to replace Pulisic, not Gimenez.
Rabiot is a big loss
Agreed and so is an in form Pulisic. I also doubt Estupinan will be ready for Fiorentina. The next four weeks are going to be a big test for this squad. By the end of the Roma match, I think we’ll know if this title challenge is for real.
a riči
Rocco?
*Ricci, stupid auto corrector
Agreed we should play Rocco
If he now does not play Ricci…..he can just leave….
He won’t, we know he won’t
The only way Ricci plays is if we play a front 2 of RLC and Gimenez…which is a distinct possibility
Ricci will play. Probably won’t start.
Rabiot will be a big miss but it is still a good team. We hope to get the 3 points.
Forza Milan
Damn it. Such a shame for Rabiot. Great player. Confident on ball, decisive, excellent both getting back on defense and going forward. We are going to miss him this couple of games, i hope that he can grind it out, looks like a tough player
Play Ricci instead of RLC!!!!!! Giminez should start!!
Ricci will evolve under Modric, and fill the gap when he retires. Keep Ricci close to Modric and great things will happen
Rocci is a better straight swap for Rabiot.
RLC should come in second half.