Official: Napoli vs. AC Milan starting XIs – four-man defence returns

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has decided to abandon the three-man defence and he has returned to four at the back for the game against Napoli tonight.

Mike Maignan is in goal as expected with captain Davide Calabria and veteran Simon Kjaer returning to the right side of the defence, with Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez completing the rearguard in what is down as a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali are the midfield double pivot with Rade Krunic no doubt dropping in to help them given he is down as the central attacking midfielder.

Brahim Diaz has won the battle to start on the right wing while Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud complete the attacking department.

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

Bench: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Florenzi, Gabbia, Thiaw; Adli, Bakayoko, Pobega, Saelemaekers, Vranckx; De Ketelaere, Origi, Rebić.

Official Napoli XI (4-3-3): Meret; DiL orenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Mário Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zieliński; Politano, Simeone, Kvaratskhelia.

Bench: Gollini, Marfella; Juan Jesus, Østigard; Demme, Elmas, Gaetano, Ndombele, Zedadka; Lozano, Raspadori, Zerbin.

Tags AC Milan Napoli-Milan

7 Comments

  1. What a display from diaz so far. Not just up front but with the help in defense. All his critics are probably scratching their heads. His work rate is just awesome.

    1. Leao’s defensive contribution was nice to see as well. Diaz is a winger, so it’s natural that he should perform better there. He’s also been highly motivated this season. However, we mustn’t forget that it was Pioli who tried to turn him into a playmaker and now he looks like a genius for playing him in his preferred position.

    2. shame he had to go off.
      it was certainly one of his best performances in a milan shirt.
      i just hope we dont sit back and defend now. long way to go in the game yet

  2. Something has changed. This team looks motivated. Most probably because they were facing their UCL opponent and would have wanted to make a statement.

  3. At 0-4. Seems a shame not to give CDK his chance to get a goal
    Instead Origi and Rebic are on.

    We have pressed so hard the guys are tiring. Adli, Pobega, Bakayoko, vrancx on the bench. We need to give them minutes in case anything happens to Tonali, Bennacer, Krunic

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