Monza-Milan XIs

Official: Monza vs. AC Milan starting XIs – Important trio returns; Leao benched

Paulo Fonseca has named his starting XI for the game between AC Milan and Monza this evening. An important trio is back from the first minute, but Rafael Leao remains on the bench. 

Following the 0-2 defeat to Napoli, the Rossoneri will be looking to clinch three important points at U-Power stadium tonight. Historically, they have a clear advantage in this fixture but Monza won the most recent clash at the stadium.

Milan announced the starting XI just a few minutes ago and Fonseca has made three changes, adding Theo Hernandez, Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic from start. The former two have returned from suspension, while the American has recovered from illness.

The big news, of course, is that Leao is on the bench for the third consecutive league game. Fonseca believes he hasn’t done enough above all in the defensive phase, with Noah Okafor getting the nod once again after some good performances.

Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Terracciano, Thiaw, Pavlović, Hernández; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Okafor; Morata.

Bench: Sportiello, Torriani; Calabria, E. Royal, Tomori; Loftus-Cheek, Musah; Abraham, Camarda, Leão.

Official Monza XI (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Pablo Marì, A. Carboni; P. Pereira, Bondo, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Maldini, Mota; Djurić.

Bench: Mazza, Pizzagnacco; Birindelli, Caldirola, D’Ambrosio, Postiglione; Ciurria, Pessina, Valoti, Vignato; Caprari, Marić.

Tags AC Milan Monza Paulo Fonseca

53 Comments

  1. Fonseca will leave like lucky looser:

    Been in Milan done that and also took Cardinale money for free. He will be on payed leave and find some bottom line European club for fun.

  2. Personally I’m fine with this XI and we should be able to win it comfortable.
    Thiaw and Pavlovic should be able to guard us against Djuric in the air who might turn out as Monza’s most dangerous player.
    When that is said we will see how this turn out but anything but a clear win should be considered a massive failure and probably should send Fonseca packing as there is still time to salvage this season but less so if we keep him after a another defeat.
    If I have to come with a prediction I will say a 3-0 or a 3-1 win for us.

      1. Even though we have better stats all over, Monza really should be ahead at this point as they had bigger chances than us so not much to be positive about except that we lead the match. I expect a lot more from us in the 2nd half.

  3. Keeping Rafa on the bench again… I was always supportive of all our coaches, but what Fonseca is doing is just beyond me. It’s time for him to go.

  4. No Leão again? Jesus, start the best players and if they aren’t performing pull them at half, that’s just as embarrassing as starting from the bench.

  5. Guys, you keep writing in match previews Sportiello is out long-term, and then in these articles he is named among the substitutes. Is he healthy or not?

  6. Believe me, Fonseca is doing the right thing Pioli should have instilled long a go.

    If only Pioli got the balls to bench Leao all these while, he would worked on his defensive role.

    I can recall how Leao played out his heart against PSG, he was superb both on the attack and defense.
    What is stopping him from doing that now, pride?

    Tomori has been benched too, not just Leao.
    So, let’s cut Fonseca some slack please.

    1. You’re correct
      Plus, Terraciano was decent on left, I think he’d be much better on the right and even replicate the defensive solidity that made milan sign him.
      The squad lacks depth, balance and discipline.
      Concecao was the right choice, now we’ve got fonseca.

  7. I love what Fonseca is doing. And this is coming from someone that LOvES Leao. His attitude needs to improve and if the coach wants you to be a little more defensive, you have to obey the coach’s tactical orders. Your teammates can’t be running their legs off while you’re just jogging around. This is what Pioli should have instilled in him but Pioli didn’t have the balls. Let Fonseca cook.

    1. “His attitude needs to improve”

      According to some people here, you cannot love Leao when you say stuff like that. 😀 😀 😀

    2. Benching him for three consecutive matches is not handling the player. Anybody can send Leao to the bench, even me and you. A “coach” is supposed to get the best out of his players, especially key players. Fonseca has done precisely the opposite.

      And forget Leao, he’s just one player. What did Fonseca achieve otherwise? Did he improve our defensive game? Did he give us some structure, some identity? Did he at least reach a decent amount of points in the league? So what is to love, tell me

      1. Yes a coach is supposed to improve his players but maybe if the player is not open to improving then the coach will do exactly what Fonseca is doing. Mourinho did the same to Dele Alli at spurs even after he was their best player the previous season, now where is Dele Alli ? And Mourinho was right all along even after fans were mad at him for the way he handled it. The truth is that a player’s attitude helps the player’s talent blossom. What has Fonseca achieved so far ? Too soon to say but we’re finally actually creating from the middle and both sides of our team. Something Pioli never achieved. Pioli was too dependent on Leao and Long ball to Giroud. Fonseca is trying to rid these players of that mindset. That’s a great team to achieve if you ask me.

  8. We play like s**t… absolute disaster. Thx Jerry Clowndinale, you put incompetent and arrogant clueless Ibra in charge and results this mess…we are really low…

  9. Riddle me this:

    Leao who has 1 goal and 4 assists in 8 games is benched for last 3 consecutive matches supposedly to get his sh*t together because he’s underperforming.

    But Chuk who has 1 goal and 0 assists in 9 games gets full trust of the coach to start matches.

    Noah Okafor has 1 goals and 0 assists in 8 games gets full trust of the coach to start matches.

    This is personal for Fonzy.

      1. You want to say others contribute more in defensive phase? So why do we still have one of the worst goal conceding statistics if that’s so?

        1. We concede a lot of goals because we insist on playing 4231 without a midfield players suited to that formation.
          I didn’t say that Leao is responsible for all defensive issues.
          Clearly he is not doing something that the coach wants.

  10. Why is Série A English commentary almost always boring. They need to take a serious look at that, cos it forms part of the brand

    Reply

  11. Monza is much more compact than I expected. Our guys are tense af. All this drama and pressure is getting to them..

    I really like the ref tho. He’s like a breath of fresh air compared to what we normally get

  12. Well well well, what did I miss. So we dominated possession but not the game. Incredible. We’re so lucky to not have conceded. Maldini playing very well against us as usual.

    1. One disallowed goal and two deadly but missed chances from Maldini. Us? No game plan, disoriented, bland as usual. Unwatchable. But lucky until now.

      1. Didn’t say he didn’t play well. I just hate when a player is just intentionally diving around and looking for contact when you’re supposed to play until you hear a whistle.

  13. Must be lots of pressure on okafor now with leao not starting and obvious pressure on leao when he comes on. Still both should’ve done better with their chances. Can’t see us doing anything against real. Fonseca choosing to do late subs doesn’t help too. Caglieri next in the league though with Napoli playing two tough games… Here’s hoping Napoli drop some points..

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