In preparation for Saturday’s tantalizing match against Lazio, Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has the option of making up to five changes to his starting lineup. In midweek Serie A play at Cagliari, the Italian manager used a diverse XI in a come-from-behind 3-1 victory.
Pioli provided Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud with some much-needed rest at Unipol Domus. The Frenchman was replaced in attack by Noah Okafor, whose first league goal for Milan started the comeback. Christian Pulisic moved to the left, and Samuel Chukwueze took the role of the new No. 10, playing on the right.
Tactical changes paid dividends in Sardinia as Milan thumped newly-promoted Cagliari to close the gap on Inter at the top of the standings. Another noteworthy takeaway from that game was another superb performance from second-string goalkeeper Marco Sportiello. But the ex-Atalanta man won’t start in tonight’s fixture.
After missing out on back-to-back league matches, Mike Maignan will return to the fold, as per Gazzetta dello Sport. The French stopper picked up an injury during a 0-0 Champions League draw against Newcastle United. Milan couldn’t count on him against Hellas Verona and Cagliari. But he’s back now.
Malick Thiaw had an impressive game against Cagliari. Yet, he could surrender his place to Simon Kjaer, with Fikayo Tomori remaining an irremovable object in the Milan backline. Pioli could make one last defensive alteration on Saturday.
It seems that Milan captain Davide Calabria has regained full fitness. Like Maignan, he hasn’t been part of the squad since the game against Newcastle. His imminent recovery means Alessandro Florenzi will return to the bench.
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