AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to field a youthful forward group out of necessity for Thursday’s Europa League qualifier against Rio Ave.
The Rossoneri head into their Europa League Play-Off having already seen off Shamrock Rovers and Bodo/Glimt in the previous rounds, but face another knockout game against Portuguese opposition to determine whether they will qualify for the group stages.
Pioli has a depleted squad to choose from with defender Mateo Musacchio, Leo Duarte, Alessio Romagnoli and Andrea Conti not fit, while Ante Rebic is suspended (and injured) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has Coronavirus.
According to Sky Italia, Pioli is likely to choose the same back seven players as he has done for both Europa League games so far, while Lorenzo Colombo will be up front with Samu Castillejo, Hakan Calhanoglu and Alexis Saelemaekers supporting him from right to left.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjær, Gabbia, Theo Hernández; Kessié, Bennacer; Castillejo, Çalhanoglu, Saelemaekers; Colombo.
Alineación probable Milan vs Rio Ave:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjær, Gabbia, Theo Hernández; Kessié, Bennacer; Castillejo, Çalhanoglu, Saelemaekers; Colombo.
[Sky Sport] pic.twitter.com/wAnrGiH9HT
— AC Milan 🇮🇹 (@ACMilanGoleador) September 30, 2020
Castillejo is a very big flop in such XI