MN: Probable Milan XI vs. Rennes – Double change at defensive midfield

On the eve of AC Milan’s Europa League clash against Stade Rennais, Stefano Pioli’s starting eleven seems to be set in stone, as a report has revealed.

As MilanNews write, Milan’s entrance into the Europa League begins with a difficult challenge in the form of an in-form Rennes side, who have recently turned their fortunes around massively. The French side had a poor opening to the season, but they now sit 7th in Ligue 1.

As such, Pioli will name a full-strength eleven in the hope of earning the best possible result at the San Siro.

There will be no shocks that Mike Maignan will start in goal, and there will be few shocks about the defensive line in-front of him: Alessandro Florenzi (in place of the injured Davide Calabria), Simon Kjaer, Matteo Gabbia and Theo Hernandez make up the back four.

The midfield will have an attacking mindset, with Pioli opting to continue with the 4-2-3-1 that has brought him and the squad joy in recent weeks. Ismael Bennacer will be rested, alongside Yacine Adli, so Tijjani Reijnders will be welcomed back to the starting lineup, as will Yunus Musah.

The attacking line-up will not differentiate, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will sit as the Trequartista, either side of him will be Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. Olivier Giroud will, as usual, lead the line.

Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Gabbia, Kjaer, Theo Hernandez; Reijnders, Musah; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.

Our full preview for the game can be found by following the link here.