Ahead of AC Milan’s clash against Slavia Praha in the Round of 16 stage of the Europa League, a report has suggested that Stefano Pioli has locked in his starting eleven.
In the days leading up to the game, there have been a lot of debates about who will start the game, especially considering Milan have an easier opponent this weekend in Serie A in Empoli, so rotation can be afforded should it be wanted.
As MilanNews writes, Stefano Pioli nearly can name a full-strength eleven, with several of his players returning from injuries in recent weeks, with the only exception being Tommaso Pobega who is nearing a return.
With this in mind, though, he is also not willing to risk any earlier mistakes by rushing their returns, so will opt to play his defensive line safe. Mike Maignan will start in goal, Alessandro Florenzi will start at right-back (he is suspended this weekend, so Calabria will be rested), Simon Kjaer and Matteo Gabbia will start centrally and Theo Hernandez will start on the left.
Tijjani Reijnders will partner Yacine Adli, who has become indispensable in recent weeks. Ruben Loftus-Cheek sits ahead of them as the Trequartista, with Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao on the wings, Olivier Giroud leads the line.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Kjaer, Gabbia, Theo; Reijnders, Adli; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.
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