As Milan meet Arsenal in a friendly encounter in Dubai, Matt Santangelo highlights which Rossoneri to watch and what to expect from Stefano Pioli’s men.
Pioli will likely give an opportunity to some reserves to feature in this game, including Yacine Adli, Aster Vranckx, Divock Origi and Tommaso Pobega, while Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Sandro Tonali are among the regular starters who will be involved.
A lot of big players are not available due to injuries and World Cup: Mike Maignan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Davide Calabria, Alessandro Florenzi, Junior Messias, Brahim Diaz, Charles De Ketelaere, Simon Kjaer, Fodé Ballo-Toure, Sergino Dest, Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz and World Cup semi-finalists Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud.
Calabria is still training separately but is on his way back and seeing the captain return in the coming weeks will be crucial to Pioli as the defender’s captaincy has had an impact on the team and how the coach likes to play.
Moving on the opposite side of the pitch, with no left-backs available, who will replace Theo Hernandez against Arsenal?
Like in the game with Lumezzane last week, Pobega is likely to get the nod as a left-back and with Kalulu, Tomori and Matteo Gabbia all starting at the back, Pioli may have the opportunity to use a three-man defence at some point during the match.
The starting line-up will likely be the usual 4-2-3-1, but even a recent report of Gazzetta has highlighted how Pioli is considering switching to a three-man defence in some games this season given that many of his central defenders have been developing, showing promising signs. The match with Arsenal may offer the Rossoneri coach a chance to try something new. Malick Thiaw was often involved in the final games before the break and is expected to feature at some point in the second half against Arsenal.
As mentioned above, the meeting with the Gunners will give many players a chance to shine after struggling with playing time in the first part of the campaign although for different reasons.
Origi has scored a couple of goals here and there, but he’s been struggling with injuries, so he hasn’t gotten regular playing time. This could be an opportunity to show that he can be relied upon.
Vranckx featured against Fiorentina and had an impact in the 2-1 win against La Viola. This is an excellent chance to start cementing his place in the team, even if he hasn’t played in most key matches, he could start against mid-table teams. The same is true of Adli. There have been reports on the France starlet potentially leaving on loan in January, fans have been questioning why a player that did so well in pre-season is not playing regularly, especially when the likes of like Brahim Diaz and Charles De Ketelaere have not been steadily convincing.
This can be a last-ditch effort to show Pioli that he can offer a different vision in the final third. He has the vision and dribbling ability, he could even play in a double-pivot. It will be interesting to see how he does, assuming he gets the nod.
Moving on the right wing, Alexis Saelemaekers returns after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Belgian is expected to start after being injured for a substantial spell of time in the first part of the season. A player who, despite how mixed fans are on him, Pioli seems to rely upon.
The coach likes his work rate, his effort and his commitment to press when the ball is high on the pitch, which is key to what Pioli wants from his team. The Belgian disappoints at moments because he lacks something in the final third. Key changes, goals, or assists, but coming back from injuries, will create more competition between him and Junior Messias in the second part of the season.
Talking of the right wing: will this match will give Pioli one more chance to showcase what he has to Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara? A way to say, ‘Can I have what I need in the right-wing position?’ Can I rely upon Saelemaekers and Messias for the second part of the season or, is someone like Hakim Ziyech necessary as a reinforcement? Indeed, the match with Arsenal will also serve as an opportunity for Pioli to see what level these two players are and whether it’s necessary to bring in reinforcement in January.
Probable Milan XI: Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Gabbia, Tomori, Pobega; Tonali, Vranck; Saelemaekers, Adli, Rebic; Origi.