Pioli makes formation change for Empoli vs Milan

AC Milan will face Empoli in the last match of 2021. The Rossoneri need a win despite the many absent players.

Empoli vs Milan will be the last match of the first round of Serie A and the last official match of the Rossoneri in 2021. Once again Stefano Pioli will travel to Tuscany in full injury emergency, particularly in attack.

Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic and Pietro Pellegri have been out for a while with Zlatan Ibrahimovic being the latest name to join the list. The Italian coach confirmed in yesterday’s press conference that Ibrahimovic will not be available because of a knee injury. However, he should be available for next match.

Without Ibra, Leao, Rebic and Pellegri, the only striker available is Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has just returned from a muscle problem in his thigh and is not yet in his best condition but, nevertheless, he will start from the beginning.

In the trident behind him there will surely be Junior Messias on the right with Rade Krunic on the left. The big surprise is the use of Franck Kessie in the attacking midfielder role. In midfield, Sandro Tonali has become an irreplaceable player in Stefano Pioli’s eleven. Ismael Bennacer will have the chance to start from the first minute alongside the Italian midfielder.

Finally some good news regarding the defence. Theo Hernandez has fully recovered and will start from the first minute in Empoli vs Milan. Captain Alessio Romagnoli and Fikayo Tomori will form the central duo with Alessandro Florenzi completing the back four. As always, Mike Maignan will protect the goal.

EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Vicario, Stojanovic, Romagnoli, Luperto, Parisi, Henderson, Ricci, Zurkowski, Bajrami, Cutrone, Pinamonti.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo; Tonali, Bennacer, Kessie; Messias, Krunic; Giroud.

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