AC Milan host Salernitana on Saturday afternoon as we look to make it two wins in two this week in Serie A.
The Rossoneri ended a two-game losing streak in midweek with victory over Genoa and so it’s hoped that can be a catalyst for the side to put together another impressive run of results.
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That win came at a cost though with Simon Kjaer picking up what looks like a serious injury, and so Stefano Pioli will be forced into at least one change this weekend.
Milan also have our Champions League encounter with Liverpool on Tuesday night to consider, and so there could be some rotation to the starting XI to keep everyone healthy and fresh.
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After his brace against Genoa and the freshness he added to the Milan attack in midweek, Messias Junior could be in line for a starting berth this weekend.
While Alexis Saelemaekers offers great work ethic and makes an important contribution defensively with an ability to create in the final third too, Milan will need to be direct and clinical against Salernitana on Saturday, with the visitors likely to try and stay compact and organised throughout to make it difficult for us.
With that in mind, it could make sense to go with the Brazilian to offer us the threat of making something happen out of nothing, while Rafael Leao’s pace and trickery on the opposite flank could give us a good balance too.
A key decision for Milan and Pioli this weekend is whether or not to rest Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
With Olivier Giroud currently sidelined due to injury, Milan can’t afford to lose Ibrahimovic ahead of Tuesday night against Liverpool, and so that could open the door for Pietro Pellegri, with the Swede available off the bench if required.
Pioli will be forced to reshuffle his pack in defence with Alessio Romagnoli seemingly set to replace Kjaer, although Pierre Kalulu will be pushing for that spot too if Alessandro Florenzi is given the nod at right-back.
Milan must get that combination right across the backline as we have to avoid giving away silly goals in a game where it could be frustrating at times when searching for a breakthrough, and so Tiemoue Bakayoko partnering Franck Kessie in midfield could also be a smart decision to give us physicality and protection in front of the defence.
It’s not far off from what La Gazzetta dello Sport have gone with, as per their graphic below, but time will tell what Pioli goes with.
