Official: AC Milan vs. Inter starting XIs – Saelemaekers replaces Leao

By Isak Möller -

AC Milan will take on Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in just over an hour. Compared to their last game in the competition, Stefano Pioli has decided to make just one change and it’s a forced one. 

Tonight’s clash is indeed a big one and will be very special for both sets of fans. Tension has been building ever since the draw and the atmosphere should be electric, with San Siro sold out and both teams dreaming about the final.

As mentioned, Pioli has decided to make one change compared to the Rossoneri’s last outing in the Champions League. Alexis Saelemaekers is that change, as he replaces Rafael Leao who still isn’t 100% and Milan don’t want to risk him.

As for Inter, Hakan Calhanoglu will surprisingly replace Marcelo Brizovic in the starting XI and it would be interesting to know if that is a tactical choice or not.

Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Brahim Diaz, Bennacer, Saelemaekers; Giroud.

Bench: Mirante, Thiaw, Kalulu, Gabbia, Ballo-Touré, Pobega, De Ketelaere, Messias, Rebic, Origi.

Official Inter XI (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez.

Bench: Handanovic, Cordaz, Gagliardini, De Vrij, Gosens, Correa, Bellanova, Asllani, D’Amrbosio, Zanotti, Brozovic, Lukaku.

Tags AC Milan Alexis Saelemaekers Inter Rafael Leao

25 Comments

  1. Pioli doesn’t even how to play mind games. Inter would now play with a relaxed mind knowing the danger man wouldn’t come on to the pitch.

  2. I see a lot of pesimism surrounding this match.
    I don’t understand.
    Facing inter in semi final is the best milan can get, same as quarter final against napoli, and inter definitely not stronger than napoli.
    These teams know each others.
    Sure there’s no element of surprise, but i don’t think that will work if we are now facing madrid or city, unless we are facing one of them in one match only, in the final, then anything could happen.

    By the way, whatever happened to leao, even if he can’t play, why not still keep him in the bench pretend like he’s ready to go?
    Inter would be sweating for 90 minutes knowing that leao is in the bench and ready to come on anytime.

  3. I don’t understand us as Milan fans think INTER will be easy to manage. Trust me it aent that easy at all.

  4. Lol finally the bald fraud Pioli is exposed, it’s a terrible shame it had to happen on such a big stage to humiliate us but it was coming.

    #PioliOut

    1. He got exposed long time ago, but the clues management keeps on tolerating him so now we are getting emberased on the bigest stage.

      1. Inter go into this game with 2 better depth players than our starters yet we have people blaming the coach for this performance. Lack of common sense and ability to make a sound judgement is apparent.

        1. Inter played with Darmian(Milan youth product), and old man Acebri in their defence. They are not the best with depth in some places either.

  5. It’s good that we rested our key players all those times. They’ll have less chance of injury in important games.

  6. It will be a long night for us…..no way we are chalking out any meaningless opportunities to score….we are none shots at 25 min with inter 7…..this sumps up….there is no pace in our attack and losing midfield battle….

  7. Leao get our of this club. you deserve better. pioli maldini total idiots. This is total embarrasment in front of the whole world.

    1. How is this Maldini’s fault now? He messed up 1 transfer window and now everyone shifted their hate on him. All the criticism should go to Pioli and the players.

      1. We cannot put all the blame on him. We are yet to find a designated set piece taker after they let Hakan go and we have not even replaced kessie.

  8. Embarrassing. Poor poor game preparation. No connectivity whatsoever. Also, whoever our fitness coach is gotta go. We always run out of breath quickly. Our midfield is getting schooled by turkish kebab and co. Hate shinter.

  9. we have witnessed but this time around im glad that the away goal rule has been abolished in european football. 1 goal and the tie will be open before the next match but im gonna leave it at that because we better pick ourselves up in the second half as this 1rst has half has been an utter embarrasment.

  10. In these moments, when everyone who knows I’m a Milan fan makes fun of me for this embarassment, Europa League doesn’t sound that bad.
    Wake me up when Pioli is gone.

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