AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli did not rule out the idea of changing to a three-man defence should he see fit.
The Rossoneri currently sit in 13th place in the table, just three points above the drop zone having lost five games out of nine to begin their 2019-20 Serie A campaign.
Pioli – who replaced Marco Giampaolo earlier in the month – has taken just one point from the first six available, but the game against relegation-battling SPAL provides a great chance to get off the mark.
One player who is struggling for form is Suso, and it has been suggested he could be rested for the game. However, Pioli once again reiterated the importance of the Spaniard.
“I have no doubt that he is a great player with great qualities. It is wrong to report Milan’s difficulties on a single player,” he told reporters, as per MilanNews.it.
On Franck Kessie, he added: “In these games we have built from behind, we want a numerical superiority giving more solutions.
“We have moved too little without giving suitable solutions to the partner to make the right transition.”
It has been claimed that Ismael Bennacer could come into the starting XI for the game, but Pioli – when asked about the idea – was keen to point out the squad depth at his disposal.
“We also recover Bonaventura from the squad. Apart from Caldara which is not ready and Rodriguez who has some small problems are all available.
“I have various possibilities, Bennacer may be one of them. I will change something compared to Roma.”
On Lucas Paqueta: “Lucas is not lacking in the desire to do things, he must affect the game more, and be more present during the decisive situations.
“We are all called to give something more. It is valid for Suso, for Paquetà and for all the players of the Milan. We are better than what we are demonstrating.”
A number of media outlets have floated the idea of Milan switching to a three-man back line given their struggles with defensive full-backs, particularly on the right side.
“Everything is possible, in my idea of football there is no preferred form,” Pioli revealed.
“With the passing of time there is a tendency to put the strongest in the best positions. There may be but we could penalise other players.
Let’s concentrate on these matches , during the stop we could also think of something different.”
Two figures who are constantly present at Milanello for training are Paolo Maldini and Zvonomir Boban, something Pioli sees as reassuring.
“I have never had such a continuous and assiduous presence of the club as I have had at Milan.
“They are always present, it is a continuous presence that supports my work and the players. They are people who are helping the team to grow.”
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