AC Milan will look to extend our impressive start to the Serie A season in midweek as we host Torino at San Siro on Tuesday.
The Rossoneri made hard work of our win over Bologna at the weekend, but the victory ultimately moved us joint-top of the table after Napoli dropped points a day later.
READ MORE: Five big talking points as Milan eventually prevail over Bologna
In turn, as we look to continue to set the pace at the top of the standings, Stefano Pioli will know that we can’t afford to show any complacency in this game, and so it’s expected that he’ll put out another strong starting XI.
Giroud, Romagnoli in to rest key players
Ahead of our trip to face Roma on Sunday night, this could be an opportunity for Pioli to make changes to his line-up, but not necessarily too many which could risk disrupting our rhythm and run of form.
In turn, while it was a huge boost to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic play the entire game on Saturday, it’s likely that he’ll get a rest against Torino with Olivier Giroud ready to step in to replace him.
It’s a like-for-like swap in many ways despite the obvious differences in the characteristics of the two individuals, as Milan will still have an important presence up top and a focal point to build our attacks around.
While it’s hoped that we won’t need Ibrahimovic, having him on the bench to come on and influence the game in the latter stages could yet prove to be an important option.
Elsewhere, Simon Kjaer could fall into the same bracket, as the Danish stalwart will be managed this season, particularly in the coming weeks, given there is such a hectic schedule.
Alessio Romagnoli has stepped in and done well every time he’s been called upon thus far, and so it seems there is a good chance he will be partnering Fikayo Tomori in the heart of the backline for this one.
With Milan confirming that Theo Hernandez has now tested negative for COVID, as per the club’s official site, he’ll be at Pioli’s disposal this week, but it seems unlikely he’ll be fit enough to start this game with Fode Ballo-Toure expected to continue at left-back.
No such statement has arrived on Brahim Diaz as of yet and so it’s expected he’ll miss out once again, while Samu Castillejo suffered a thigh injury against Bologna and will join Mike Maignan, Alessandro Florenzi, Messias Junior and Ante Rebic in the treatment room.
It remains to be seen if Pioli goes with Ismael Bennacer or Franck Kessie to partner Sandro Tonali in midfield, but otherwise, the starting XI could look quite similar to that seen in our last outing and there is undoubtedly more than enough quality and experience in it to ensure we secure another win to continue our march in our bid to win the Scudetto.
