AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has named an unchanged starting XI for the game against Atalanta compared to the one which won in Verona.
Stefano Pioli has opted to field an unchanged back four of Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu and Theo Hernandez in front of Mike Maignan in goal. Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessie are in the double pivot which means Ismael Bennacer will start on the bench.
Rade Krunic takes up the role of attacking midfielder once again just as he did in Verona. Alexis Saelemaekers is chosen as the right winger and Rafael Leao will be on the other flank, with Olivier Giroud again getting the nod to start as the centre-forward.
Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Krunic, Leao; Giroud.
Bench: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Florenzi, Gabbia, Romagnoli; Bakayoko, Bennacer, Díaz, Messias; Ibrahimović, Rebić.
Official Atalanta XI (3-4-2-1): Musso; De Roon, Djimsiti, Palomino; Hateboer, Koopmeiners, Freuler, Zappacosta; Pessina, Pašalić; Muriel.
Bench: Rossi, Sportiello; Demiral, Mæhle, Scalvini; Malinovskyi, Miranchuk; Boga, Mihăilă, Zapata.
Calabria had a TERRIBLE first half. Early on had an opportunity to deliver a dangerous cross and was WAY off. Had 4 other terrible passes leading to turnovers. Went for an interception and missed badly; but thankfully the great speed of Kalulu to recover and defend saved Calabria.
We need to sub in Florenzi for him right away at halftime.
Also, Giroud wasn’’t great. He got the ball caught up in his feet several times and didn’’t keep possession. Rebic should come on for him now as well at halftime.
I love Calabria and Giroud both — they love Milan; but today is not their day (and 2 straight matches now for Calabria after his terrible performance against Verona).