Ahead of AC Milan’s Coppa Italia clash against Cagliari, reports have emerged that Stefano Pioli is set to look to the Primavera and offer some opportunities whilst resting some senior players.
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Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Stefano Pioli is set to offer some youth talent an opportunity to calculate their current ability levels against a fellow Serie A side, with minimal risk attached.
The January mercato opening also acts as a chance for the club to evaluate where their immediate future lies – either at the club or making use of the market opening and looking for appropriate loan deals.
Starting in defence, with Simon Kjaer expected to miss the clash, Jan-Carlo Simic is set to partner Theo Hernandez in central defence. In place of Hernandez on the left, it was presumed that Alessandro Florenzi would start. However, it is now believed that Pioli will instead opt to give Alex Jimenez a chance from the start.
The Spanish left-back has had comparisons to Theo Hernandez, and his arrival was largely praised in the summer, with some describing him as one of Real Madrid’s ‘best young talents’. He is currently on loan, but Milan will have the opportunity to make his move permanent in the summer.
It is also believed that Pioli could look to utilise the 4-2-3-1 instead of the 4-3-3. As a result, Luka Romero and Chaka Traore could feature from the start to offer Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao chances to rest.
In this case, Yacine Adli will partner Tijjani Reijnders in holding midfield. Ahead of them, Samuel Chukwueze will start on the right (before departing to the African Cup of Nations), Romero will play through the middle, and Traore will feature on the left. Luka Jovic will lead the line to offer Olivier Giroud a chance to rest.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Simic, Theo, Jimenez; Reijnders, Adli; Chukwueze, Romero, Chaka Traore; Jovic
