AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has made two changes for the starting XI to face Atalanta tonight compared to the one that lost to Atletico Madrid.
It seemed as though Pioli would go with Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali for the double pivot, but in the end he has decided to select Franck Kessie alongside the young Italian, while Simon Kjaer comes in for Alessio Romagnoli.
Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao will look to replicate some of the magic we saw against Atletico Madrid while Ante Rebic gets the nod as the centre-forward and will face the Bergamo side away from home for the first time in his career.
Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori Theo; Tonali, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Rebic.
Bench: Jungdal, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Conti, Gabbia, Kalulu, Romagnoli; Bennacer, Castillejo, Messias; Maldini, Pellegri.
Official Atalanta XI (3-4-2-1): Musso; Djimsiti, Demiral, Palomino; Zappacosta, de Roon, Freuler, Mæhle; Malinovskyi, Pessina; Zapata.
Bench: Rossi, Sportiello; Lovato, Pezzella, Scalvini; Iličić, Koopmeiners, Miranchuk, Pašalić; Muriel, Piccoli.
Beta coach.. he’s definitely already doing better tactically which I’m really glad about, but Pioli needs to sit Kessie indefinitely, he’s so weak. Cashie out!
What? Putting Bennacer on the bench and playing with Kessie in midfield? The guy is out of form and has lost his mojo. After the dismal display against Atletico, Pioli rewards him with a starter’s place against Atalanta. I am missing something here.