AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca is studying his plans for the game against Atalanta tomorrow night, and he has a starting XI in mind.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, after the 6-1 win over Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia there might be a few minutes too many in some players’ legs. Fonseca himself made it clear that if Ruben Loftus-Cheek had not been injured, Tijjani Reijnders would have also come off at half-time, for example.
However, the cup still allowed for ample rotation given eight changes were made to the starting line-up, and energy conservation was available for several players, especially those who are expected to be in the starting line-up on Friday night in Bergamo.
First of all, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez will return to their places, having missed the appointment with Sassuolo. The goalkeeper had dental issues that needed surgery, while the full-back had a bruised foot.
The absentees will be Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi and Luka Jovic who are all recovering from surgery still. Marco Sportiello is the latest injured player as he came off at half-time in the cup due to an inflammation of the knee.
Maignan’s deputy will need to be re-evaluated but is unlikely to leave for Bergamo. Loftus-Cheek is doubtful, he too out after 45 minutes with Sassuolo due to a bruise to the calf and more will be known on the eve of the match.
As for the team, there should be few doubts as ‘the usual suspects’ will take to the field. Fonseca is inclined to once again deploy the formation that did very well against Empoli, the one that has guaranteed the greatest balance in recent weeks.
Emerson Royal will return at right-back with Matteo Gabbia and Malick Thiaw at centre-back. Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders will be in midfield, with Yunus Musah on the right, Christian Pulisic as the attacking midfielder, Rafael Leao on the left and Alvaro Morata up front.
This is just the best line up we have at present. I am upbeat we are going to win against in form Atalanta.
I would play Abraham over morata at present. Enjoyed him and leao linking up well against sassuolo. But both seem to be finding their feet a bit more.