Milan revolutionise their side for tonight’s Champions League trip to Malaga, as Giampaolo Pazzini starts with Kevin-Prince Boateng in the stands.
Milan revolutionise their side for tonight’s Champions League trip to Malaga, as Giampaolo Pazzini starts with Kevin-Prince Boateng in the stands.
Massimiliano Allegri is under huge pressure after their worst Serie A start in 70 years and only three wins in all competition this season.
He also has an injury crisis to contend with, as Christian Abbiati, Ignazio Abate, Nigel De Jong and Robinho are sidelined.
Among those stepping into the starting XI are Marco Amelia, Philippe Mexes, Francesco Acerbi, Pazzini, Kevin Constant and Mattia De Sciglio.
The big news is that not only has Boateng been dropped, but he is not even on the bench in Spain.
It was reported that Allegri would switch to a 3-4-3 system for this match, but that does not seem to be the case, although De Sciglio and Urby Emanuelson can be moved to wing-back roles. It is so far unclear exactly how the Rossoneri will be set out.
On the other hand, Malaga are flying high in Group C with two victories and are yet to concede in four European matches, including the play-offs.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men are also third in La Liga, but have some injuries to contend with too.
Nacho Monreal and Sergio Sanchez were the latest additions to the absentee list along with Jeremy Toulalan, Diego Buonanotte and Julio Baptista.
All eyes will be on 20-year-old playmaker Isco, the brightest young talent in the Malaga squad.
Elsewhere in this group, Zenit beat Anderlecht 1-0 despite a poor performance and climb into third place. The Belgians are yet to score a single goal.
Malaga: Willy; Gamez, Demichelis, Weligton, Eliseu; Camacho, Iturra; Portillo, Joaquin, Isco; Saviola
Malaga bench: Kameni, Duda, Recio, Seba, Santa Cruz, Fabrice
Milan: Amelia; Bonera, Mexes, Acerbi; De Sciglio, Montolivo, Ambrosini, Constant; Emanuelson, Pazzini, El Shaarawy
Milan bench: Gabriel, Yepes, Antonini, Nocerino, Flamini, Pato, Bojan