There is an air of mystery surrounding the way AC Milan might line up in Sunday’s derby as Stefano Pioli asked for privacy with preparations ongoing.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Calciomercato.com) this morning talk about how the negative moment Milan are in is almost perfectly symbolised by the fact that when Pioli decided to strengthen the midfield by switching to a 4-3-3, Ismael Bennacer picked up an injury. If something can go wrong at the moment, it seems it will.
The Algerian will be unavailable in the derby and also against Torino, so the target is to return in the Champions League against Tottenham. There remains the need to strengthen the midfield to ensure more protection for the defence, given Milan have conceded 18 goals in 2023.
Sandro Tonali will be left as the midfield director, albeit with different tasks without an engine next to him like Bennacer. Rade Krunic will be alongside the Italian and the third should be either Tommaso Pobega (favourite) or Aster Vranckx.
However, La Gazzetta claims that very few indiscretions filtered from yesterday’s afternoon training session because before starting a particularly intense session, Pioli asked for maximum privacy to be guaranteed to the team.
