A lot of the talk in the build-up to AC Milan’s game against Udinese has been about the attack, but there will be a key change in midfield too.
Virtually every major source is reporting that Massimiliano Allegri will finally use a three-man attack from minute one, switching to a 4-3-3 which sees a centre-back drop out, the wing-backs drop to full-back, and two wingers either side of the centre-forward.
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More changes in mind
Among the changes Allegri is expected to make to the starting XI against Udinese, there’s also one in midfield. Samuele Ricci has been chosen to start alongside Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot at San Siro this evening, according to the newspaper La Repubblica (via MilanPress).
The decision to go with the former Torino midfielder was due to the condition of Youssouf Fofana, who is not at his best physically. The Frenchman had started five consecutive matches, scoring a goal and providing an assist.
This will be Ricci’s tenth start in Serie A since joining Milan (13th overall) and his fifth of 2026. His last appearance in the starting eleven was on February 18th at home to Como. Since then, he has played a total of 71 minutes in six games.
What is interesting is that Allegri seems set to go with the Italian rather than the €35m+ summer signing Ardon Jashari. It is yet another sign that he sees the Swiss as the deputy and potential heir to Modric, rather than as a mezzala.
