AC Milan will be looking to keep pace at the top of the Serie A table and make it three league wins in a row against Lazio on Saturday at San Siro.
The Milan squad do not have much time to enjoy Wednesday’s victory against Cagliari because training resumed today in view of the game against Maurizio Sarri’s men at the weekend.
As per MilanNews – confirming our earlier report – there should be several changes to the Rossoneri’s line-up, including the return of Mike Maignan who has been sidelined for the last two games due to a small muscle problem.
Davide Calabria should also take Alessandro Florenzi’s place at right-back, while the rest of the back four – Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez – will keep their spot.
In midfield Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders are sure of their place, while there is a battle for the final place between Yacine Adli who started the last game and Yunus Musah.
Moving to the attack, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao will return from the first minute, teaming up with Christian Pulisic to complete the trident.
Probable Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo; Loftus-Cheek, Musah, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao.
Bench: Mirante, Nava, Sportiello; Florenzi, Kjaer, Bartesaghi, Pellegrino; Pobega, Adli; Chukwueze, Okafor, Romero.
Doubts: Adli-Musah (40%-60%)
Unavailable: Bennacer, Kalulu, Krunic, Caldara
In doubt: Jovic
Let Adli play as long as he does his job. If he seems to be weaker an Saturday just put musah in if needed
i hope we have new Andrea Pirlo in Adli and new gattuso in Mussah.
Lol of course Pioli, or course 😂
I think if it is Musah playing the 6 he will impress just as Adli has. Not quite the passer Adli is but a more physical, defensive presence with the ability to dribble out of pressure and break lines and an endless motor. Or it may even be Reijnders in that spot, but either way I think Pioli will realize he has a number of good options.
However I don’t like seeing Calabria back in the starting 11. I think Florenzi has earned the spot with his good play., but who knows, In the next half hour there will be another article with a completely different starting 11. Just throwing darts at a board and putting it out as news.
I will say florenzi has been playing rb very well. Calabria has a lot of work to keep hos starting spot
Okay fine, but how many minutes is pioli going to give yacin? At least 30m. All the best 🙏
If Adli doesn’t play, it’s a clear reflection on Pioli. He deserves this chance.
Maybe Pioli doesn’t want it to be clear that his lover belongs on the bench when he returns from injury.
Smart move by Pioli to start Calabria over Florenzi.
Would have liked to also see what Adli can do vs an actual quality team. Cagliari didn’t press him and they allowed him to sit back and send balls unbothered.
People keep saying that Florenzi deserves to start over Calabria because he had couple decent games vs. Cagliari the worst team in the league and Verona.
Those 2 teams didn’t test him defensively but Lazio will and Florenzi can’t defend. If you need his crossing you can put him in the 2nd half.
This might be an unpopular opinion but when fielded ive always felt that florenzi generally did a good job but i have no issues with calabria starting either if he is fully fit.
What you are not getting is that Calabria can’t defend either. But at least Florenzi offers something going forward.
calabria cantt defend ? seriously you must be smokijng some more evil sh1t than i do,
He has been one of the best performing serie a rb’s for half a decade and even if he had a lesser good season2022/23n season he completely closed down kvaraskhelia in 3 of 4 games last season, But sure he is subpar. Florenzi is good though as well.
I guess Kvaratskhelia didn’t get that memo. Krunic is out, so I guess it’s time to hate on Calabria.
This tired old line again? You mean when Milan double and triple teamed Kvara? Yeah, that was all Calabria dude…
You might find it to be an old line, fine, but he is nevertheless correct whereas you have not substantiated your opinion to any extent but only says that calabria cant defend,
I have no issues with adli playing and hopefully he does but you guys do understand that every coaches job is to make some tactical evaluations from match to match considering whoever we meet and what approach is deemed as the most likely profitable also in regard of the oppositions players.
Anyways as i already said i have no issues with us starting adli as he did very well yesterday but lazio is also a different opposition than cagliari just as genoa will be one as well.
Exactly. Musah’s physicality may be needed against a much stronger attacking side like Lazio.
I certainly wouldnt oppose that idea either and that could easily be part of the right formula to beat lazio as as you already mentioned that lazio is a stronger attacking side than cagliari,
If people want to complain about pioli they should more take it under consideration if adli actually were to be benched for the next many games or that he desnt get a single minutes because obviously there will be up coming matches or moments where he could be of great value to the team but it doesnt mean he absolutely should play against lazio.
But if Krunic would be available there is no discussion, the super player will play instead anyone, and no lecture of rival applies, he is the fittest ……
zzzz sure if you say so.
I think Musah must play from first minute. He is much stronger in duels and can cover and run for much bigger distance than Adli.
If we manage to win this game, than we are in good row and put big pressure on Inter and Juventus.
After Adli’s performance on Wednesday he should get the start again. Give him the confidence he needs. I like Musah but not sure he’s a registra that can move and distribute through balls. He likes to get forward with breaking runs and is more of alternative to RLC or Reinjders.
Don’t take 2 steps back Mr Pioli. Start Adli period. If he struggles out in Musah
I said it before, Adli and Musah must play in tandem of two with Tijjani in front of them forming the 3 midfielders, is the perfect balance we will have good foot, legs, strength, speed, field vision and good covering on defense
Adli was weak defensively on Wednesday. And not just in the goal. Judging from this match only, he has one of the weakest defensive skill set in our squad. He did well in his distribution, but he was rarely pressed. I’m not entirely sure he can handle a midfield at the level of Lazio.
As much as i want Adli to start again, people who posted their kneejerk reactions after reading this probable XI needs to remember that Milan plays every 3 days.
After Lazio, next mid week Milan will go away to Dortmund then 3 days later have away match against Genoa who just slaughtered Roma 4-1, beat Lazio 1-0, and hold Napoli 2-2. Then we got 2 weeks International break before playing Juve, PSG, and Napoli all with just 3 days break. If Adli didn’t play against Lazio then he probably have chance to start against Dortmund or Genoa.
And before anyone says bu bu but Pioli played Krunic every match until he got injured against Verona. First, Krunic is a key player because he have good balance to keep the mid pretty safe. You all see that Adli doesn’t have good defense after Cagliari goal and sure Adli good at distribution and set piece. But his defensive atribut isn’t good compare to Krunic. Second, from the interview it’s clear Pioli wants to start Adli but he probably waits until the new players have more chemistry and busy schedule like this one.
So relax. This season just started and i’m sure Adli will play a lot more compare to last season.
Good comment from every one.But I think Adli should play 2nd half.I love Adli. But i think he should observe the game.But he has the passes.