AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is reportedly thinking about making as many as 10 changes to the line-up to face Bologna tomorrow, in view of Tuesday’s return leg against Napoli.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport writes, the match against Bologna is crucial in the top four race, which in turn has a lot of prestige and of course prize money at stake. However, there is a real chance to make the Champions League semi-finals too, where Inter or Benfica would await.
Pros: Protection is the main plus side from rotating lots of players, because even though it would further complicate an already tough game against a resurgent Bologna side it would also guarantee that the main stars are at 100% on Tuesday.
It is not just about ensuring they are all in top condition in terms of not getting injured but also in terms of condition, because on Wednesday – when Milan found themselves with a numerical advantage – they still didn’t have the strength mentally or physically to hammer home the advantage
Cons: With that being said, we know by now that the ‘alternatives’ give less guarantees than the regular starters. For some of the reserves this could actually be an opportunity to show off, while certain protagonists ahead of Tuesday could play with the handbrake on.
However, it is at the stage of the season now where wins are needed to keep pace in the top four race and after the rotated side failed to beat Empoli at home, a trip to face eighth in the table – who will be fired up to beat the Rossoneri – with more changes threatens to further derail the push to secure participation in the big European competition next season.
Cardinale want cheap meal. Also with Elliott. They invest only in 1 floppy player, Charles. And we needed Botman, Sanches kind of players, with better than Origi striker.
Milan deserve to fail in reach Europe next year all because of the owner.
And this year Milan cashed already more than 100mil from champions league, with match day revenues.
You can’t win vs Bologna with the second team. They could try for a draw. But Bologna has been playing well and has Europe in their sights
I agree 100%. No chance of winning with Origi, Rebic, Ballo starting in Bologna however risking injury to the starters who miraculously stayed injury free at the moment, is dangerous. Tough one for Pioli but we now have a real risk of doing well in the CL and not qualifying for next year’s edition.
Please god do not play rebic or origithey are both crap
CB is the only position that can be rotated without a severe drop in ability and intelligence. In Origi’s case he should never see the pitch again.
If Pioli’s future depended on a top four finish, he wouldn’t rest anyone. I think Milan’s CL run pretty much guaranteed his future so he’s willing to rest the starters while simultaneously trying to bring out the best in the bench players by entrusting them with a do-or-die match. Honestly, the man has done wonders since he arrived given his resources and can’t be blamed for our struggles (apart from the last match against Inter). We can dream again in the CL and are still in the top four race where I’m expecting a collapse from Roma and/or Juve. The last three seasons have been good for us and we have a team with a bright future.