The old saying in football is ‘do not change a winning team’, but the depth that AC Milan have means that Stefano Pioli can afford to rotate.
As MilanNews reports, the depth options that Milan have will play a fundamental role in the tough schedule that is upcoming for the Rossoneri, which is four league games in ten days.
Milan on Thursday will play against Sparta Praha, and although they have the possibility of snatching first place in the group and thus a less difficult pairing on paper in the round of 32, Pioli will still heavily rotate with qualification in the bag.
Parma arrive at San Siro next Sunday, on Wednesday 16 December the Rossoneri will return to Genoa to face the Rossoblu on their 121st birthday, four days later they will visit Sassuolo and finally on 22 December they will host Lazio.
If injuries, suspensions and fatigue would have meant game over before, this season feels different. The likes of Brahim Diaz and Diogo Dalot have been useful in Europe so far, with both having arrived on loan, while Jens Petter Hauge was signed for less than €5m.
These three have often been protagonists, especially in the Europa League. The Portuguese has a goal and an assist, Brahim has four goals and one assist and Jens Petter Hauge has three goals and an assist.
With Rafael Leao almost back to full fitness it becomes remarkable to consider that he will be a back-up, but one between him and Rebic must sit on the bench when all the personnel are available.
Pioli will be able to alternate them, while in the midfield Sandro Tonali is growing in confidence, and on the right wing Samu Castillejo is too (three goals in the last four games).
Milan will need everyone if they are to enter the Christmas period top of the league, but ‘everyone’ seems to be a bigger sum of parts this season.
