Chris Smalling ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan is challenged by rom6during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on September 01, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan is challenged by rom6during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on September 01, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Milan and Roma are forced to make changes in defence by bans in the 1st leg of the Europa League quarter-final, with an eye on neutralising the opposition attacks.

It kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

Although these are repeat Serie A rivals, this is the first time they have crossed paths in a European fixture and they guarantee at least one Italian team will be in the Europa League semi-finals.

Fikayo Tomori and Evan Ndicka are suspended, so this forces changes in the defences of both teams.

Malick Thiaw is tipped to take over for the Rossoneri alongside Matteo Gabbia, leaving Simon Kjaer on the bench.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was suspended in Serie A at the weekend, but he returns, moving Christian Pulisic back to the right side of attack, with Rafael Leao on the left and Olivier Giroud upfront.

As for Roma, not only is Ndicka banned, but Dean Huijsen is not on the UEFA squad list and Sardar Azmoun is injured.

That limits the options for Daniele De Rossi, who should therefore start Chris Smalling in defence.

There is another reason to choose the English centre-back, as his aerial capabilities allow him to effectively counter Giroud.

The most difficult choice might be at left-back between Leonardo Spinazzola and Angelino, as the Italian was on the bench against Lazio, perhaps as he was being rested for this match.

Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku are guaranteed to start, most likely with Stephan El Shaarawy completing the trident attack.

Probable line-ups

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Gabbia, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud

Roma (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy

Ref: Turpin (FRA)

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