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How Milan could line up vs Lazio: Ibrahimovic, Kessie eye return

Sumeet Paul

AC Milan host Lazio in a stand-out Serie A showdown this weekend, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Franck Kessie both in contention.

The pair didn’t feature in the Rossoneri’s opening two wins of the season, and as we prepare for a big week both domestically and in Europe, Stefano Pioli will be delighted to have them back at his disposal.

READ MORE: Big test for impressive Tonali as Kessie set for Milan comeback

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As reported earlier this week, both players were back in training this week and are subsequently pushing to be involved on Sunday, but time will tell if the pair get the green light from Milan to feature.

So, how could the Milan XI look this weekend vs Lazio?

No change in defence?

Mike Maignan will expect to continue between the posts, but it will be interesting to see if Pioli rotates and rests players with Liverpool on Wednesday in mind.

Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria will likely start alongside Fikayo Tomori, but could this be an opportunity to protect Simon Kjaer and keep him fit and healthy throughout the campaign? Time will tell what the thinking is from the Milan coach.

Kessie to partner Tonali?

As per both predicted line-ups below from Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport, the expectation is that Kessie will come straight into the starting XI and partner Sandro Tonali.

That means Ismael Bennacer could miss out, but such has been Tonali’s impressive start to the season, it’s impossible for Pioli to drop him at this moment in time.

Competition is healthy and with our busy fixture schedule, it’s vital we have depth. Bennacer will perhaps play a crucial role in midweek alongside Kessie, and so there’s no need to disrupt Tonali’s growth and improvement thus far.

Ibrahimovic or Rebic up top?

Another two changes could come in attack, the first of which is almost certain given Olivier Giroud’s absence from training this week following a positive Covid test.

As per Milan’s official statement on Friday, the Frenchman has now tested negative and will resume training shortly, but given his lack of time training with the rest of the group this week, will he be left out for this one?

His form so far this season following an impressive pre-season has been excellent and so it will be a blow being without him. That said, Pioli can call upon either Ibrahimovic or Ante Rebic to lead the line, with the pair offering very different strengths and characteristics. Perhaps the former would be better suited to this game with a lack of space in behind the Lazio defence away from home.

Meanwhile, Sky suggest Alessandro Florenzi could replace Alexis Saelemaekers on the right wing, which again, isn’t an ideal switch but thinking ahead to Liverpool, could be a smart tweak.

Probable Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Ibrahimovic.

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