AC Milan host Napoli on Tuesday evening at San Siro, and reports from Monday evening suggest that Rafael Leao is set to return to the bench.
Paulo Fonseca is looking to take risks once again in a big game, and after they paid off against Inter, the Portuguese head coach is hoping for the same. His victory against the Nerazzurri strengthened his position significantly, and a win on Tuesday would have similar effects.
Throughout the summer, fans campaigned for the opposition manager to join the Rossoneri, but Antonio Conte was hired by the Partenopei instead, even if he had wished to be on the touchline of San Siro permanently.
Fonseca will look to take some risks to strengthen his and Milan’s position once again, and these start in defence.
As Milan News write, inbetween the sticks, Mike Maignan will remain, and the full-back partnership of Emerson Royal and Filippo Terracciano will remain unchanged. Strahinja Pavlovic will be partnered by Malick Thiaw, though, even if it seemed like Fikayo Tomori was likely to start.
In midfield, Fonseca asks for physicality, and he will get this from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana.
Once again, the Portuguese will look to Noah Okafor, Christian Pulisic, and Samuel Chukwueze behind Alvaro Morata, opting to leave Rafael Leao on the bench as his poor start to the season continues.
If you want physicality in midfield, put Musah and RLC on either side of Fofana. Play 3 up front.
agreed
If this is the lineup then Fonseca is making the right decision. Leao should be on the bench. I have no doubt about that. Okafor and Chukwueze deserve to start the game against Napoli.
It should be a 433 with Yossouf, RLC and Musah in midfield, then Noah, Alvaro and Samu up front.
LOL leave the guy with 10 goal contributions in 10 games out of the line-up?
Yeah silly to leave out Pulisic
Dumbest take ever. Then we would be without our 2 best offensive players. We are already without Theo. You trying for a zero – zero draw?
Leao wont get out of his funk until he gets minutes – I do agree his form is not up to par for this match but he needs to get minutes soon!
Last 12 minutes are minutes? If he does well then perhaps 25 minutes in the following match. That’s how you win back a spot. With the right dedication and discipline he’ll get there. You don’t skip certain processes.
As much as we love Rafa Leao,the facts remains that he cannot become a champion with lazy attitude despite being the highest paid player within the squad & his time is ticking fast now,he needs to think about his career and start to be a serious football player before it is too late
I wish my beloved Milan all 3 points tomorrow.. Forza Milan
Chukwueze would love to have a good game and a little momentum.
Leao being benched by his own countryman is significant. It may be effective. But his talent is too great to keep off the field for long.
Lineup is good given what’s available. Would be great with Musah taking up Loftus cheek spot. Musah should play. He won’t get a better chance after doing well in the last match and Reinjders now unavailable with Loftus cheek too going to be unavailable on the pitch!. I thought Fonseca would be tired of giving more starts to the ghost by now.