Milan are expected to make changes for Dudelange, but defensive solidity must be the focus.
Words: Richard Gyasi
There isn’t much enthusiasm bubbling around AC Milan now after their indifferent start to their league campaign this season. The Rossoneri occupy the 13thposition on the league table in Serie A after three games with a four points tally.
Milan are expected to make changes for Dudelange, but defensive solidity must be the focus.
Words: Richard Gyasi
There isn’t much enthusiasm bubbling around AC Milan now after their indifferent start to their league campaign this season. The Rossoneri occupy the 13thposition on the league table in Serie A after three games with a four points tally.
However, Gennaro Gattuso’s men will hope to bounce back to winning ways on the continental front when they kick start their Europa league crusade on Thursday, away to F91 Dudelange in Luxembourg at the Stade Jos Nosbaum. The San Siro outfit is in Group F which includes Olympiakos and Real Betis.
The chief concern for Milan going into this game, is how to keep a clean sheet. Despite maintaining the same starting eleven in the last three games, there seems to be no end in sight to the Diavolo defensive vulnerabilities. They’ve conceded five goals whiles scoring five.
It is anticipated that Gattuso will alter his starting eleven that started over the weekend in their 1-1 draw against Cagliari. Particularly the defence. Mattia Caldara is being speculated to take the place of Mateo Musacchio who is reported to have suffered a light head injury in their previous outing. Diego Laxalt and Samu Castillejo are likely to start ahead of Ricardo Rodriguez and Hakan Calhanoglu who were abysmal in the last league game.
The only two likely to retain their places are Alessio Romagnoli and Gonzalo Higuain, with the striker boasting an impressive record in the Europa League.
After an indifferent start to the season, this could be the perfect match to bring a winning feeling back to the red and black half of San Siro.
Dudelange are also not in a comfortable spot in the Luxembourg National Division. They’re perched in 12th place in the league after winning two and losing same in four games.
But this where Milan need to be careful. The Luxembourg side did not taste defeat in the six matches during the qualifying play-off round. They won four and drew two. Scoring 12 goals whiles conceding seven. They’ve got goals in their team.
Milan need to start their Europa League campaign on high and with a great amount of goals if they are to send a message to the other teams in the group.