MN: Milan’s probable XI vs. SPAL – Debut for Kjaer; Piatek to start in 4-4-2

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to stick with the 4-4-2 formation he used against Cagliari for Wednesday night’s Coppa Italia clash versus SPAL.

A change in system worked wonders for the Rossoneri in Sardegna on Saturday as they ran out 2-0 winners over Cagliari, with the strike pairing of Rafael Leao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking particularly dynamic.

The game against SPAL presents a different challenge but a chance to make the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia for the 11th straight season.

MilanNews.it have provided an update on the team that Pioli will likely field for the game against the Biancoazzurri, who Milan have a 100% record against in their only five meetings.

DEFENCE

The Rossoneri boss will be forced into changes due to injuries to Gianluigi Donnarumma (thigh), Davide Calabria (ankle) and Mateo Musacchio (ankle).

Antonio Donnarumma will get the nod between the sticks taking the place of his younger brother, while Simon Kjaer is set for his debut having only joined on Monday.

Andrea Conti is also expected to start at right-back, taking the place of Calabria.

MIDFIELD

The consistency when comparing with the XI that started against Cagliari comes from the midfield.

Samu Castillejo will start on the right, with a central midfield pairing of Franck Kessié and Ismael Bennacer, however Hakan Calhanoglu is likely to be dropped in place of Giacomo Bonaventura, MilanNews claims.

ATTACK

Krzysztof Piatek looks set to be given a start up front alongside Rafael Leao despite numerous reports in the media suggesting he will move on from Milan this month.

His pairing with the Portuguese starlet means that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be given a rest and will start on the bench.

PROBABLE MILAN XI (4-4-2): A.Donnarumma; Conti, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Castillejo, Kessie, Bennacer, Bonaventura; Piatek, Leao.

Tags AC Milan
Serie A Standings

Live football scores . Current table, fixtures & results.