AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has put his faith in a youthful line-up for tonight’s game against Cagliari in the Coppa Italia, starting numerous Primavera products.
Given the lack of depth available in several areas due to injuries, Pioli has called upon Jan-Carlo Simic to partner Theo Hernandez at centre-back, with Davide Calabria and right-back and Alex Jimenez getting a debut at left-back. Antonio Mirante starts in goal.
Yacine Adli and Tijjani Reijnders will form a double pivot in midfield allowing rest for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and with Ismael Bennacer away on African Cup of Nations duty.
Speaking of AFCON, Samuel Chukwueze starts on the right in what will be his last game before departing, while Chaka Traore is on the other flank and Luka Romero is the playmaker behind Luka Jovic.
The bench features some firepower that can be called upon with Loftus-Cheek joined by the likes of Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao.
Official Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Mirante; Calabria, Simic, Hernandez, Jimenez; Reijnders, Adli; Chukwueze, Romero, Chaka Traore; Jovic.
Bench: Nava, Maignan; Kjaer, Bartesaghi, Florenzi, Nsiala; Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Zeroli; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao.
Official Cagliari (4-3-1-2): Radunovic; Di Pardo, Hatzidiakos, Wieteska, Azzi; Deiola, Makoumbou, Jankto; Mancosu; Petagna, Luvumbo.
Bench: Aresti, Scuffet; Azzi, Capradossi, Goldaniga, Zappa; Sulemana, Viola; Oristanio, Pereiro.
Tijjani I don’t understand why playing him always
Perfect time for him to rest
Best of luck to the young guys. It’s an opportunity to shine, show they can contribute and that they could become first teamers in a near future where we will no longer be able to rely on the “growth decree” to bring in players. Developing youth talent by the top teams has fallen by the wayside, and it’s something that ought to be relied on again. Forza Milan, and Forza the Primavera.
We are probably losing this game folks…
Suck it up
4-1 win
So STFU
He actually fielded what GdS reported yesterday. Kudos to that and hoping for a strong performance from the young lads.
Give poor reijnders a rest. Working him to the bone
Pioli is not the favourite person in Milan right now but I am supportive of his selection today. I won’t blame him one bit if it back fires. All the players picked out today need to perform for the Milan shirt.
Its good to see the young lads getting a chance.
However Reijnders and Adli in midfield pivot seems very weak. Honestly Zeroli would have been good or Krunic for some muscle
Where is Eletu when we need him?
Ow wow, they actually start Traore. Hope he does well but I have an unpopular opinion on some of the..we’re criminally overrating Simic for instance. I’ll see how this game plays out but it’d be interesting how he does on a high line. If we’re staying back like vs Sassuolo I’d say we’re ok. But I have a feeling we’re going to see that old high press again against a team we’re over estimating. Also, have a feeling we’ll need Leao. Let’s please hope I’m wrong
Great play from Adli in midfield to lay on the perfect chance for Jovic. Pity he couldn’t finish it
impressed with Adli and Jimenez (in particular, I think he is ready). Chaka needs to be subbed
That’s an absolutely brilliant cross by Theo. Jovic with the clinical finish. Nice.
Side note, Adli is clearly not a DM for a 433 but with his risky tackles it’s perfect for either mezzala, AM or CAM. He’s aggressive in recovery tackles which can swing momentum back
Whats the difference between AM and CAM?
@SJF Centrality.. for instance a Left attacking mid operates primarily on the left, is not a winger but occupies the space between a typical winger and a striker but not too forward to be considered a support striker/ he still operates within the midfield space but further afield. A CAM primarily is positioned centrally in the forward attacking space (even though he can operate all over the pitch). Plays are primarily directed through a CAM if the formation requires one. That’s the simple explanation
Yeah, I think Theo plays superb crosses whenever he plays at the cb position. That’s something we need more from our cbs, oh Malik does forward passes too
AM (attacking midfield) is the general name. CAM (central attacking midfield) is specific, as RAM (right attacking midfield), LAM (left attacking midfield)
I think when you say right or left am you mean a Mezzala. Hence my question
See above. Mezzala is different, you require mezzalas ie box to box to track back. An Attacking mid doesn’t require to do so though they can
No it’s trequartista. It’s the line between the mazzelas and the strikers.
In a 4231, you could play 3 attacking midfielders(LAM,CAM,RAM) in front of a double pivot and behind a lone striker instead of 1 attacking midfielder and 2 wingers.
Potatoe/Potato
Lol before it gets lost in the original point ….I was just saying Adli could play further forward where he doesn’t have to have significant defensive duties. That’s basically what I’m saying..his aggressiveness in the tackle is good further upfield, not in front of defence
😁
Certainly he is more comfortable in a less defensive role, though beside a good dm he might do well in a double.
I’ve always thought he suits Mezzala role best
I’ve been saying double pivot him and destroyer. I’m flabbergasted as to why that hasn’t been tried out
30 mins gone and the young guys are doing well particularly Jiminez.
Chucky omg he is just awful, can’t beat his man, hardly tries to, despite all the space he just cuts back to his left foot and passes sideways or backwards.
I think we really need to try him as a left wing or even am
Yep they’re doing well. Can give the others a rest
Some of Chuk’s teammates not reading his passes tho
I support the idea of Chuks at LW. Use his pace to just Run and cross
Jovic. That’s all I’ll say. What a player. Hitting high notes here.
So far so good… for those saying we will loose the game.
Now Acmilan have gained solidity but we need to continue in that path and gained more momentum, Acmilan we don’t need to sign defenders at all we need only Miranda to partner Kjaer so now we also need Gurrassy thanks for revival
I’ve given Theo plenty of stick this season, which he deserves. Great to see him playing like the force of nature he can be
Vai Chaka!!
Delighted for him!
Their goalkeeper has been terrible, he has flattered us. He should have saved at least the last 2 goals and maybe the 1st goal also
Clearly, Pioli still doesn’t know how to make substitutions
The crowd are loving it, fans deserve a good show.
I’m amazed he brought on Leao and Pulisic? At 3-0. Surely we should not risk them
Tijjani should be rested and Zeroli should come in. Bartesaghi should come in for Theo. Does Pioli think the team will collapse and give up a 3-goal lead? He wants to run them into the ground until they get injured?
Jimenez clearly has to be in the first team. kid held that LB down!
Agreed. He’s so comfortable with the ball and skillful. Pioli and some guys will say “defending” but it’s clear to me that he’s good traits of a modern fullback with huge potential and can already contribute
Oh no, we don’t need to risk Puli and Leao 🤦♂️
Reijnders needs a rest omg.dude was tied from the start
Pass the damn ball Leao!
I hate this idea of slowing things down when the game is not over. the team should be motivated to help Jovic get a hat-trick rather than passing backwards and not pushing to score more. I want us to learn/ get comfortable with scoring more!!!
And Leao scores when people say we were slowing stuff down. lol.
Thank goodness I was wrong 🙏
Calm to see all these young men coming in and doing well. So happy for Jovics brace.
*Good to see