AC Milan are in Prague hoping to capitalise on their merit from the first leg to book a place in the Europa League round of 16, but Slavia Praha have already shown that they are a proposition.
In his pre-match press conference tonight, Stefano Pioli admitted that he has already selected the team that will start on Thursday at the Fortuna Arena according to the type of match he expects, i. e. a match in which Slavia have to chase goals.
According to MilanNews, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud will return to the attack. The Portuguese missed the last league game against Empoli through suspension, while the Frenchman was left on the bench to make way for Luka Jovic.
Christian Pulisic on the right and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as an attacking midfielder will complete the attack, having scored in a 4-2 win in the first leg.
In defence, Stefano Pioli will replace Alessandro Florenzi, who is suspended, and captain Davide Calabria will play at right-back. Theo Hernandez will be at left-back and Fikayo Tomori will marry Simon Kjaer or Matteo Gabbia.
A lot will also depend on the Italian centre-back’s condition, as after Milan-Empoli, Pioli claimed that Gabbia “was tired in both calves on Thursday”. However, it seems that he is recovered and will be a starter.
Finally, Yacine Adli returns to midfield and the Frenchman will be alongside Tijjani Reijnders, with Ismael Bennacer returning to the bench.
Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori Theo; Reijnders, Adli; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.
Bench: Sportiello, Mirante; Kalulu, Kjaer, Thiaw, Terracciano; Bennacer, Musah; Chukwueze, Okafor, Jovic.
Wounded: Pobega.
Yellow suspension: Maignan, Tomori, Musah, Calabria.
Disqualified: Florenzi.
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