Alexis Saelemaekers could be given a surprise start in next week’s Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Juventus, a report claims.
The Rossoneri go into the return leg off the back of a 1-1 draw in the first leg at San Siro before the break due to the COVID-19 crisis. They will travel to Turin without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Theo Hernandez and Samu Castillejo (all suspended) and Leo Duarte (injured).
According to Friday’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews), head coach Stefano Pioli could make a surprise decision by handing a first start to Saelemaekers.
The Belgian has been tried as a right-back (which would see Davide Calabria move to left-back to replace Theo), but he could also be deployed as a wide midfielder in 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2.
The same outlet claims that Pioli is thinking of changing to a 4-3-2-1 with Hakan Calhanoglu and Lucas Paquetà behind Ante Rebic – which would mean no place for Rafael Leao.
