Pioli’s three failed experiments against PSV
AC Milan were dominated by PSV Eindhoven losing 3-0. Even more disappointing the than result was the players performance.
Yesterday afternoon Milan played PSV in Eindhoven in the last of the three friendlies scheduled for December. The outcome of the match was clear in favor of the Dutch, a 3-0 without appeal. The Rossoneri team, despite many absences, didn’t convince from almost all points of view but above all they didn’t convince some solutions tried by Pioli over the 90 minutes.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, the starting eleven against PSV will likely be similar to the one against Salernitana on January 4th. Between injuries and late returns from the World Cup, Pioli will have to draw from a heavily reworked squad. In the cold afternoon in Eindhoven, however, the Rossoneri coach still wanted to try some experiments to understand their reliability in view of Wednesday’s match.
The first was Antonio Mirante in goal instead of Ciprian Tatarusanu. The performance of the 39-year-old goalkeeper, however, did not seem up to the required level. The big question mark on the role of second goalkeeper while waiting for Maignan to recover has been left unanswered. Sergino Dest played on the left, on Theo Hernandez’s wing. For the American yesterday’s match was a bit of a nightmare with Madueke raging and scoring two goals. And then there was Yacine Adli in the role of Leao’s replacement. The Frenchman offered a few isolated flashes and nothing more. Another chance lost.
At least for the left attacking flank Stefano Pioli shouldn’t have any problems against Salernitana. Rafael Leao will be ready to play from the start, as he deserves. The Portuguese entered with PSV in the last stretches of the match and showed that he is ready to play from the first minute in Serie A.
Theo and Giroud returned to Milanello yesterday and will probably be available in the second half. As full-back Pioli could choose to adapt Calabria (has fully recovered) on the left and keep Dest on the right, where he is more used to playing. In attack, however, Ante Rebic will probably start in the centre forward role, at least until Pioli decides to send the best scorer in the history of France into the fray.
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