Sky journalist gives update ahead of Cagliari game: “A change of formation is possible”

Sky journalist Emanuele Baiocchini has claimed that AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli might change formation for the game against Cagliari tomorrow night.

Milan’s defensive record this season has been far from impressive given that they have conceded the most goals of any team in the top half of the Serie A table barring Napoli, who have had a crisis-ridden season.

The team have appeared disjointed far too many times with space opening up between the lines which opponents have been able to easily exploit. That has led to calls for a change in the midfield, to add a bit of extra protection for the back four.

With Ruben Loftus-Cheek currently out injured there is the temptation to switch from using an attacking midfielder to adding a more defensive-minded presence, thus altering to a 4-3-3.

Baiocchini gave an update on Sky from outside Milanello after this morning’s training session and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

“There was training, training in which Stefano Pioli tested the formation that will have to take the field tomorrow evening and during the afternoon we will be more precise. The training ended a few moments ago, Milan’s players are starting to come out,” he said.

“A change of formation is possible, even from a 4-2-3-1 to a slightly more classic one to strengthen the midfield, with four players playing for three shirts, but in the end it could be Reijnders, Adli and Musah who end up on the pitch.

“We will also see if Bennacer will threaten any of them and play further forward, in the absence of Loftus-Cheek who is still injured, as well as Maignan, and as well as Kjaer who will not be called up against Cagliari.

“It is possible that Pulisic plays on the right, that Leao plays on the left and that Giroud plays the centre-forward. In short, the most classic Milan, with Calabria returning after the two-game suspension.

“Tomori will probably be together with Gabbia who played a good match against Genoa despite an error for the opponent’s goal. Theo Hernandez on the left and Sportiello in goal due to the absence of the French goalkeeper [Maignan].”