AC Milan face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League this week, and here’s how Stefano Pioli’s starting XI could look for the crunch encounter.
The Rossoneri were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Newcastle Utd in our opening Group F game, and so with a difficult trip to Germany up next, it’s imperative that we get a positive result to strengthen our position to qualify.
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The hosts haven’t been entirely convincing so far this season and so there is certainly an opportunity for us to come out on top, but much will depend on our level of performance and if we can produce our best to come away with all three points.
With a trip to Genoa at the weekend before the international break, Pioli is expected to go as strong as possible in this one and then perhaps rotate on Saturday if needed, but there was a setback this week in midfield.
Loftus-Cheek out, Musah and Pobega to start?
As per Antonio Vitiello, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected back after the break after he sustained a mild muscle injury during our 2-0 win over Lazio this past weekend, and so he’ll play no part and join the likes of Ismael Bennacer and Rade Krunic on the sidelines.
There was better news last time out though as Mike Maignan and Davide Calabria returned from their own setbacks, and our backline is expected to be restored to full strength with Malick Thiaw coming in for Simon Kjaer to sit alongside Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez.
Tijjani Reinjders will continue in midfield, while MilanNews suggest that Yacine Adli will drop out, as both Yunus Musah and Tommaso Pobega come into the starting XI.
Should that be the way the Milan boss goes, that gives us energy, tenacity and a combativeness to try and win the midfield battle and get a foothold to control the game, and it will be fascinating to see how Musah performs in the deeper role, if that is indeed where he starts.
Combined with the technical quality of Reijnders, it’s hoped that the trio can impose themselves and help us dictate in the middle of the pitch in both phases of the game, as it will likely be a decisive factor in the outcome of the meeting.
Meanwhile, it’s expected that we’ll go with our strongest attacking trident, with Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao supporting Olivier Giroud, and particularly away from home with their pace in wide areas and Giroud’s finishing ability, it’s hoped we can produce a clinical display to secure three valuable points in our bid to advance to the knockout stage.
Noah Okafor in particular has shown his ability to make an important impact having scored in consecutive games, and so he could be vital in this one if we need him in the latter stages to influence the game.
Predicted AC Milan XI vs Borussia Dortmund:
Maignan
Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez
Reijnders, Musah, Pobega
Pulisic, Giroud, Leao