AC Milan face Liverpool in the last match of the Champions League group stge. Pioli is preparing the formation without a number of players.
Tonight, at 21:00 CET, AC Milan will host Liverpool at San Siro. Milan vs Liverpool echoes glorious games from the past with both clubs protagonists of epic encounters. The Rossoneri need a win to progress to the knock-out stage while the Red are already qualified as the group leaders with 5 wins in 5 matches.
The Italian coach is forced to prepare his squad formation with a big number of his players unavailable, especially in attack. Ante Rebic, Rafael Leao, Pietro Pellegri, Olivier Giroud and Davide Calabria are out.
Captain Alessio Romagnoli and Fikayo Tomori will form the central duo in defence. Theo Hernandez will play on the left despite a minor cold. Pierre Kalulu is in advantage to start over Alessandro Florenzi on the right. Mike Maignan will protect the goal.
The midfield is the only department without any doubts. Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessie have become Pioli’s favorite duo at the middle of the pitch. The situation is much a bit foggy up front.
Three players are battling for two available spots. Brahim Diaz is the only one guaranteed to start in Milan vs Liverpool from the first minute. Saelemaekers, Messias and Krunic are battling for the remaining two spots. Pioli is tempted to deploy Junior Messias from the start alongside Rade Krunic. Ibrahimovic will lead the attack.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Kessie, Messias (Saelemaekers), Diaz, Krunic, Ibrahimovic.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson, Williams, Gomez, Konate, Tsimakas, Chamberlain, Morton, Keita, Salah, Minamino, Origi.
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