Probable Milan XI vs. Cagliari – Pioli opts for heavy changes

Ahead of Saturday’s clash against Cagliari, a report has predicted the eleven which Stefano Pioli may select, and there are several changes to be expected, with many of AC Milan’s stars set to be dropped.

Milan are winless in their past six games, so Pioli is deciding to opt for major changes to the eleven to reflect the recent form, attempting to cause a shift in the team’s fortunes in the process in his penultimate San Siro game against Cagliari.

As MilanNews reports, Mike Maignan has still not recovered, so Marco Sportiello will be given the nod again. Whilst Davide Calabria can return from his suspension, the 58-year-old is set to name a heavily rotated defence, consisting of Pierre Kalulu, Matteo Gabbia, Malick Thiaw and Alessandro Florenzi, with Theo Hernandez and Fikayo Tomori being dropped.

Given Ruben Loftus-Cheek will still be absent, a change in the system is also expected, and Pioli is set to revert to the 4-3-3 system, which has served him well previously. After several games at full-back, Yunus Musah will be played on the right of the midfield trio, and he will be alongside Ismael Bennacer and Tijjani Reijnders.

The front three will also see a change – Christian Pulisic will start from the left-hand side instead of Rafael Leao, meaning Samuel Chukwueze is given a chance on the right-hand side, and Olivier Giroud will start up front.

Probable Milan XI (4-3-3): Sportiello; Kalulu, Gabbia, Thiaw, Florenzi; Musah, Bennacer, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Giroud, Pulisic.