AC Milan will have to register their squad list for the Champions League knockout phase by midnight tomorrow. There will be at least one change, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be included.
The Rossoneri will face Tottenham in the Round of 16 and tomorrow, the squad list will be announced. As reported by MilanNews, Stefano Pioli will most likely exclude Fode Ballo-Toure and replace him with Ibrahimovic.
We outlined the situation in an article at the end of December, which you can read here, but essentially Pioli can’t do that much unless he excludes one of his favourites. The squad will probably look as follows, therefore:
Goalkeepers: Ciprian Tatarusanu (Mike Maignan), Antonio Mirante.
Defenders: Davide Calabria, Alessandro Florenzi, Sergino Dest, Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer, Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu, Matteo Gabbia, Theo Hernandez.
Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer, Sandro Tonali, Tommaso Pobega, Rade Krunic, Charles De Ketelaere, Brahim Diaz, Alexis Saelemaekers.
Attackers: Junior Messias, Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic (Divock Origi), Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Olivier Giroud.
Maignan can be included closer to the game thanks to the UEFA regulations when it comes to injured goalkeepers. Tatarusanu will then be excluded. The big battle will be between Malick Thiaw, Yacine Adli and Aster Vranckx.
No way Pioli takes one of Ante Rebic and Origi, to include Thiaw, Vranckx or Adli, who have barely played so far.
And he would rather play a fan from the stands than Adli.
Only change will be Zlatan for Ballo Toure. Even though I don’t get why is he including Zlatan when he hasn’t played yet after 8 months recovery from surgery at age 42. What can he give after such a long absence straight in to a UCL knockout game.
Maybe only out of respect for Zlatan and his last hurrah in the UCL
Don’t disrespect the Zlatan. He is the only on that can save this team. If they play this poorly when he is on the pitch he will put a foot in their ass.
The lion is hungry.
Zlatan is an extremely serious athlete and would not include himself had he not been ready. He trains martial arts, which builds flexibility and stamina and knows when he is ready. Most likely he will not play a full match but it will be very interesting to (hopefully) see him alongside Girous and not instead. I think we are going to notice a difference with the Swede on the pitch. The question is about the defense.
Florenzi, ibrahimovic has no business with this squad list.. like what someone highlighted here “ what can someone who’s been out for almost 9 months got to offer immediately to this squad. Thiaw, should take ballo toure spot and with zlatan and Florenzi out, Adli and vrannx should and must be in the squad period. Pioli had failed tactical, he should at least grow some balls. It’s already certain Milan’ will be embarrassed on the European stage.
Dumb. Why would Adli e on the squad? Just to waste a spot. Pioli has not played him a minute all season even against the bottom table teams when Milan has had injuries. You think he’s going to use him in Champions League? Get real. Zlatan if healthy can make an impact.
Florenzi was already in the first ucl list and helps on the numbers in regard of italian players who are above 21 years old . If i remember correctly then he cant just be swapped with a foreign player as it would cost a lost spot in the ammount of players we can call up if we have one less italian player in the squad.
4-3-3 if pioli can play Benaccer, Sandra and Salemaekers in Midfield. That will be lit.. cos Salemaekers has alot of agility and ball control
agree. Saele is more useful as mezzala than RW in 433
What’s the point of ball control when you can’t do anything with it?
Alexis can’t defend and is abhorrent going forward. You may as well bounce the ball off a wall then have Saladmaker doing anything with it.
He escapes negativity because everyone focuses on Tata, Diaz, Pobega etc.
People didn’t want Zaniolo because of bad stats, are you aware Salad hasn’t scored in Serie A at all, and while he has 2 in CL they’re against a farmer side and a team around Fiorentina level?
Awful, awful player.
I’ve been thinking of this too, but idk if he can read the game well enough. That said he’d probably be more effective than slowbega though
Like I said Salemaekers will be good in midfield of 3. Pioli is so nonchalant not to try this. And again play Rebic in the Right we need pace.. how i wish this can reach the ears of Milan Coaches. We Salemaekers never say die attitude in that midfield.
Put Zlatan as caretaker coach. He may just put things around.
Poli needs a good rest for 1-2 weeks. He needs to cook a new strategy.
agree–just the presence will send everyone into schock
The inclusion of Zlatan only makes sense if we get past Spurs…well, we can dream..