AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has made four changes to his starting line-up for tonight’s game against Napoli compared to the team which drew against Udinese.
Mike Maignan will be in goal with a back four of Alessandro Florenzi, Fikayo Tomori, Alessio Romagnoli and Fode Ballo-Toure in front of him. Theo Hernandez is struggling with a fever and was named in the squad initially but then was withdrawn as his condition did not improve.
Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessie will be in the double pivot with Junior Messias on the right wing, Brahim Diaz as the playmaker and Rade Krunic on the left wing behind striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Milan will be without a number of injured players again such as Ante Rebic, Rafael Leao, Simon Kjaer and Davide Calabria in addition to Theo.
Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Tomori, Romagnoli, Ballo-Toure; Tonali, Kessie; Messias, Diaz, Krunic; Ibrahimovic.
Bench: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Gabbia, Kalulu; Bakayoko, Bennacer, Castillejo, Saelemaekers; Giroud, Maldini.
Official Napoli XI (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Malcuit, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Di Lorenzo; Demme, Anguissa; Lozano, Zielinski, Elmas; Petagna.
Bench: Meret, Marfella; Ghoulam, Zanoli; Lobotka; Ounas, Mertens, Politano.
It’s amazing that when teams are struggling with injuries, they bring some youngster from their youth teams. Some of those youngsters seize the moment and go on to become important players.
Barcelona is doing it with 17yr olds, 19yr olds, etc. Pioli could have brought some youngsters to help out since Ibra was the only striker available for a while. It would have helped to manage the 40yr old Ibra better.
Or you know, play the youngster they have now: Daniel Maldini
Actually, I think this is a time for Emil Roback too to show his worth
Playing youngsters in specific roles is acceptable risk given the current injury situation unlike resting a solid midfield pair, losing the game then desperately throwing in the entire bench.
Pioli should stop rotating lineups like a bot because the squad is not so big and not full of quality players in addition to the injury issues.
He should be sacked if Milan don’t win the Scudetto after crashing out of Europe.
Before the game I wrote here that at the moment we have a very weak squad and troubles are ahead.
They deleted my message.
But you can’t delete the truth.
Elliot, open the wallet at January, or get out.