Milan give Stephan El Shaarawy and Djamel Mesbah the chance to shine in tonight’s Coppa Italia quarter-final against a new-look Lazio.
Milan give Stephan El Shaarawy and Djamel Mesbah the chance to shine in tonight’s Coppa Italia quarter-final against a new-look Lazio.
The winner of this fixture, kick-off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time, will go on to face Juventus in the semi-final.
Massimiliano Allegri has to readjust his squad due to an injury crisis that has ruled out Christian Abbiati, Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, Gennaro Gattuso, Antonio Cassano, Mathieu Flamini and forced Thiago Silva to rest.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic starts from the bench, so El Shaarawy partners Robinho with support from Clarence Seedorf.
Defender Mesbah, who made his move from Lecce last week, is given his first start for the club.
Lazio also have problems to contend with, as Stefan Radu is struggling with a knee injury, joining Stefano Mauri, Libor Kozak, Emiliano Alfaro, Lorik Cana and Cristian Brocchi on the treatment table.
Miroslav Klose is rested in favour of Tommaso Rocchi and Djibril Cissè.
Edy Reja revamps his tactics with a new 3-4-1-2 formation, leaving Mobido Diakitè, Marius Stankevicius and Andre Dias at the back.
Milan: Amelia; Abate, Mexes, Bonera, Mesbah; Merkel, Van Bommel, Nocerino; Seedorf; Robinho, El Shaarawy
Milan bench: Roma, Nesta, Antonini, Emanuelson, Calvani, Inzaghi, Ibrahimovic
Lazio: Marchetti; Diakitè, Stankevicius, Dias; Konko, Gonzalez, Matuzalem, Lulic; Hernanes; Cissè, Rocchi
Lazio bench: Bizzarri, Biava, Scaloni, Zauri, Ledesma, Del Nero, Klose