AC Milan travel to face Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night, a game which the Rossoneri are desperate to win.
Having fallen to back-to-back defeats to open the campaign with both Liverpool and Atletico Madrid getting the better of us, it’s imperative that we now put points on the board.
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It will be far from an easy task to do so at Porto, but Stefano Pioli and the players will no doubt believe that we have the quality to get the job done and keep our hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.
In order to do that though, it’s expected that there will be changes to the XI that started against Verona at the weekend, and we will certainly have to be much better than Saturday night if we wish to return home with all three points in midweek.
Kalulu and Tonali to come into Milan XI vs Porto
After Fode Ballo-Toure’s difficult night on Saturday, Pioli will arguably have to make a change at left-back with Theo Hernandez still ruled out after his positive COVID test last week.
Our summer signing struggled to show any real quality in either phase of the game, and that will be a worry at this level especially given we have no more room for error.
In turn, Davide Calabria’s versatility could be utilised as we shift him out to the left side of the defence, while Pierre Kalulu could step in for him on the right.
Additionally, Simon Kjaer will be well rested after being given the night off at the weekend, and so with Fikayo Tomori seemingly now an undroppable presence at the back as he continues to impress, it’s expected that the Danish stalwart will partner him in the heart of the defence at the expense of captain Alessio Romagnoli.
Meanwhile, in midfield, Sandro Tonali will hope to return to the starting XI after sitting out against Verona, and with Franck Kessie suspended after his red card last time out in Europe, that’s a natural change to make and arguably even an upgrade given the Italian international’s form so far this season.
Additionally, with the magnitude of the game in mind and what’s at stake in midweek, it would come as no surprise if Rade Krunic gets the nod ahead of Daniel Maldini in the No.10 role with Brahim Diaz still out due to COVID, as his experience and general know-how will be important in a game like this.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his return from injury on Saturday, but as he continues to get minutes and build up his fitness, it will surely be Olivier Giroud who leads the Milan line for this one as the Frenchman looks to add to his tally of three goals in six games so far this season.
