AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has decided on the line-up that will take to the field for the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Atalanta at San Siro tonight.
Pioli has decided not to rotate like he did for the Cagliari game a week ago given the importance of this one, but there are still a few tweaks from Sunday’s 3-0 victory in Empoli.
Mike Maignan will be in goal and the centre-back pairing will feature Theo Hernandez again – after his excellent performances there recently – plus Matteo Gabbia, who gets his first start since returning. Davide Calabria and Alex Jimenez are the full-backs.
In the middle of the field it will be Ruben Loftus-Cheek joined by Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah, with the USA international also ready to make a first start since coming back from a muscle problem.
In attack, Christian Pulisic keeps his spot on the right with Rafael Leao on the left and Luka Jovic the striker. Olivier Giroud is initially on the bench after playing a full 90 in Tuscany.
Official Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Theo Hernandez, Jimenez; Musah, Reijnders, Loftus Cheek; Pulisic, Jovic, Leao.
Bench: Nava, Mirante, Adli, Giroud, Romero, Kjaer, Terracciano, Chaka Traoré, Simic, Zeroli, Bartesaghi.
Official Atalanta XI (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Holm, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Miranchuk, Koopmeiners; De Ketelaere.
Bench: Musso, Rossi, Toloi, Hein, Palomino, Pasalic, Muriel, Bakker, Zortea, Adopo, Zappacosta, Scamacca.
