Milan seem set to start with Ante Rebic, Ismael Bennacer and Alessio Romagnoli against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League tonight.
The match at San Siro kicks off at 20.00 UK time.
After the return to the competition ended in a defeat against Liverpool, Milan face another tough game in the second round of Group B.
Atletico Madrid arrive at San Siro and the Spanish champions were the team that eliminated Milan during their last appearance in the Champions League in 2013-14.
Simon Kjaer, Sandro Tonali and Olivier Giroud seem set to miss out against Atleti, but they still have one more training session to re-claim a place in the side.
But the Rossoneri coach is expected to make changes, with Romagnoli next to Fikayo Tomori in defence and Bennacer in the middle over Tonali.
Rebic should get the nod up front, supported by Alexis Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao.
Argentine coach Diego Simeone has some problems too and is expected to arrive in a 4-4-2 formation.
Felipe should replace Stefan Savic in the heart of the defence, while Kieran Trippier and Mario Hermoso are expected on the sides.
Rodrigo de Paul returns to Italy after his move from Udinese, while Thomas Lemar and Joao Feliz return. Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez should be in attack.
Probable line-ups: Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Kessie, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Rebic
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Gimenez, Hermoso; Correa, De Paul, M. Llorente, Carrasco; Griezmann, Suarez
Honestly at the moment I would start Tonali over Bennacer. Bennacer seems to be lacking match sharpness. Doesn’t seem to have that eagerness to have the ball and the vision that made him such a key figure in our undefeated run last year. Leao showed a lot of inventiveness against Spezia and almost caught the keeper out a couple of times – he needs to keep showing this to give opposition defenders a fright and keep them on their toes – but he also shows signs of that impertinence which continues to hamper his progress in that he would beat one player then give the ball away cheaply. Happy to have Calabria back in the starting line up but again he lacks match sharpness, I think Kalulu is a smarter option because it’s going to be a very intense match. Rebic didn’t have a good game against Spezia but the game against Atleti will be a different beast, more open, less defence minded and more opportunities for him to pressure opposition defenders. Looking forward to the game!
@Chris I agree about Tonali instead of Bennacer but looks like Sandro is not fit to start. This fixture is key to know really where we are. Forza Milan!
I think Calabria is a bit better defensively and going forward than Kalulu, even if he lacks a little match sharpness due to being out. So I’d still start Calabria. I think the rest of the lineup is as good as we can make it with our various injuries.
@Michael Oh I absolutely agree, I just think a more physical approach will be needed at the start of the game. I don’t think Calabria has 90 minutes in his legs which is going to be crucial in these midweek fixtures. For me I just don’t think it’s worth the risk rushing him back to a full game.
Tonali is our most in-form midfielder. It was a bad idea to send him to the bench against Liverpool and I think it’s still a bad idea, but I will trust Pioli.
Too bad Kjaer missed out.
A win would be a huge confidence booster for us.
I think Kjaer could play but as with Ibra, Calabria, Bennacer, it’s not worth rushing him back from injury just to create a worse injury. Hopefully with the Curva behind them the boys will put in a great performance.