AC Milan host Monza on Saturday evening looking to make it four consecutive wins in Serie A as we try to close the gap on league leaders Napoli.
The Rossoneri suffered disappointment in the Champions League this month with back-to-back defeats against Chelsea, but domestically we’ve continued to bounce back strongly after our loss to Napoli on September 18.
READ MORE: Milan player ratings vs Verona: Tonali decisive, Rebic and Thiaw key impact
With European commitments to consider again next week as we continue a busy schedule heading into the break for the World Cup, Stefano Pioli will have to rotate and keep his players fresh and try to avoid any injury setbacks and so multiple changes are expected this weekend.
While we certainly won’t be taking Monza lightly, it is an opportunity to bring in others looking to prove a point and impress as ultimately it’s a game that we will be confident of winning at home.
Such is the depth we have this season, Pioli will certainly still put out a strong XI and it’s hoped that those involved can extend our winning streak further in a convincing victory in front of another packed-out San Siro.
Mixed injury news, Origi and Rebic to come in
Milan suffered a blow in midweek with Mike Maignan sustaining an injury setback which will rule him out for a little longer, and so Ciprian Tatarusanu will continue between the posts in his absence.
Theo Hernandez and Fikayo Tomori are expected to start with the latter suspended against Dinamo Zagreb following his red card against Chelsea last time out, and so it makes sense to use him on Saturday as he’ll rest up during the week.
There’s more positive injury news in defence with the return to Simon Kjaer who will be hoping to log significant minutes and get his fitness levels up ahead of that trip to Zagreb, while Sergino Dest could be given the nod at right-back with Pierre Kalulu and Matteo Gabbia rested.
Ismael Bennacer is also expected to come out with Tommaso Pobega partnering Sandro Tonali in midfield, and that pairing should still give us a good balance in that area of the pitch with Pobega’s ability to get about the pitch and put in a defensive shift while also pushing forward to help build our attacks.
Further up the field, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao should finally get a rest too having played such a major role in our run over recent weeks due to the lack of alternative options at Pioli’s disposal.
Having impressed off the bench against Verona, Ante Rebic is expected to come in on the left flank where he tends to be at his most threatening, while Divock Origi will get a chance to lead the line. Having put his injury woes behind him, it’s hoped he can now stay fit and get a good run of games in his legs to make an important impact, but it does change the dynamic of our attack as we’ll have to adjust to using the movement up top rather than having a focal point to target.
Brahim Diaz and Messias Jr are touted to complete the attacking line, while there’s more good news on the fitness front as Charles De Ketelaere is expected back on the bench.
Long-term absentees Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Florenzi remain out, while Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Calabria are still in the treatment room with them.
Pioli has options on the bench to make more changes if he wishes to, but the side below is arguably the way to go as he doesn’t want to make too many tweaks and risk upsetting the balance of the team. In turn, it’s hoped this XI, if selected, has enough to get the win to continue our strong domestic form.
