Prior to AC Milan’s match against Empoli on Sunday, rumors have it that Pioli will switch up the lineup and add a few important players back to the starting lineup.
Instead of using the 4-2-3-1 formation that was used against Cagliari, Pioli is expected to switch back to his preferred 4-3-3 formation, which will allow him to start several of the squad’s senior members again.
With Mike Maignan in goal, Davide Calabria at right back, and Theo Hernandez in central defense, the defense will mainly remain the same. But Alex Jimenez will be replaced at left back by Alessandro Florenzi, and Jan-Carlo Simic will be named as a substitute. Simon Kjaer will play alongside Theo Hernandez in central defense.
Having been rested against Cagliari, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start the game and form the middle of the midfield with Tijjani Reijnders and Yacine Adli. It provides both Reijnders and the Englishman with a flat midfield.
Having been rested against Cagliari, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start the game and form the middle of the midfield with Tijjani Reijnders and Yacine Adli. Reijnders and the Englishman have equal opportunities to attack when the midfield is flat, but Loftus-Cheek may adopt a more advanced role in the game going forward if given the chance.
Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, and Rafael Leao will all be back in the starting lineup following their respective rests against Cagliari.
Pioli will have two more players available to him on the bench. First up are Yunus Musah, who just got well from an injury, and Matteo Gabbia, who returned from Villarreal.
Milan’s predicted starting lineup (4-3-3) was Maignan, Pulisic, Giroud, Leao; Loftus-Cheek, Adli, Reijnders; Calabria, Kjaer, Hernandez, Florenzi.
Nava, Mirante, Gabbia, Simic, Bartesaghi, Jimenez, Musah, Zeroli, Chaka, and Jovic are the substitutes.
The following are unavailable: Okafor, Bennacer, Chukwueze, Sportiello, Kalulu, Thiaw, Tomori, Pellegrino, Caldara, Pobega, and Krunic.
Out of suspension for one game: Reijnders and Musah