Tough examination awaits for Florenzi – how Milan have done with him at left-back

Stefano Pioli will have to do without one of his main men tomorrow night as Theo Hernandez will serve a suspension during the game against Fiorentina.

The French full-back got the opening goal of the game against Verona before the international break when he took advantage of a couple of favourable ricochets to get in behind and finish past Montipo from a narrow angle.

As DAZN reported after the game, Theo’s celebration is what got him the yellow card which means he misses Saturday’s trip to Florence, and it was controversial.

The Verona team manager misunderstood Theo’s celebration, deeming it to be provocative. He alerted their head coach Baroni, who ran towards the fourth official Massimi to report the incident and the yellow was given.

It is being widely reported that Alessandro Florenzi will replace Theo on the left side of the defence, as he has done already a few times this season.

How have Milan faired when he has switched to the other flank? The first time was technically when he played left wing-back during the 1-0 win over Hellas Verona in September.

In terms of playing as a pure left-back, Florenzi did so during the 1-0 defeat against Juventus in October, plus the 1-0 loss against Udinese the following month.

He was on the left side of a back four for the 3-1 home win over Frosinone in December and then again during the 3-2 defeat against Atalanta the next game.

The Italian played three matches in a row as the left-back towards the end of the year and into the new year: the 2-2 draw against Salernitana, the 1-0 win over Sassuolo and the 3-0 win away against Empoli.

Florenzi was also left-back during the 2-1 win over Newcastle United in the final Champions League group stage game. That means the record stands at four wins, three defeats and a draw.

Against Fiorentina, Florenzi will have the tough task of trying to keep Nicolas Gonzalez quiet, the right winger who has 10 goals to his name already this season. It might be his toughest examination yet.