Brahim Diaz and Ante Rebic are tipped to start in Milan‘s attack against Udinese today and will be looking for redemption after a tough campaign in 2021-22.

The Rossoneri’s campaign kicks off at home against Udinese today at 17.30 UK time, and Stefano Pioli seems willing to start the creative Spanish midfielder and the Croatian striker up front.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out of action, Olivier Giroud and Divock Origi are not fully fit, so Rebic is likely to get the nod as a centre-forward.

Pioli praised the versatile 28-year-old during Saturday’s pre-match press conference. Rebic, Junior Messias and Ismael Bennacer were described as Milan’s ‘most impressive players’ during the pre-season.

Rebic didn’t have a crucial role in Milan’s title win last season when he only managed two goals in 24 Serie A appearances, adding one more in two Champions League games.

He often struggled with injuries, missing 19 encounters due to physical issues.

Likewise, Brahim had a solid start to the season in 2021-22 but scored his last Serie A goal almost a year ago, on September 25, 2021, against Spezia.

The Real Madrid loanee caught COVID less than a month later and was the shadow of his former self when he returned to action. He lost his starting spot in the second part of the campaign, which ended with just four goals and four assists in 40 appearances.

Milan have signed Charles De Ketelaere this summer and the Belgian is expected to become a regular starter at San Siro.

However, Pioli believes the ex-Club Brugge starlet is still not ready to be included in the starting XI, so he will likely send CDK to the bench, picking Brahim who was also praised yesterday.

“If Brahim [Diaz] plays, it’s because I think he is better than the others for this game,” the Rossoneri coach explained.

“He has more rhythm than the others at this moment. Charles has had a particular pre-season for the reasons we all know.”

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