La Gazzetta dello Sport explains how Stefano Pioli will rotate his Milan squad ahead of the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Tottenham next week.
The Rossoneri have earned four consecutive wins across all competitions for the first time this season and will visit Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi in Florence on Saturday, March 4, four days before their trip to London, where they will face Antonio Conte’s Tottenham in the decider of the Champions League Round of 16.
The pink paper explains Pioli’s choices for the next two games, calling it ‘Operation Big Ben.’
Rade Krunic and Rafael Leao are suspended against the Tuscans, so they will be rested against Spurs on March 8. Ante Rebic is the favourite to replace Leao in Florence.
Olivier Giroud could also rest in the upcoming Serie A match with Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Divock Origi starting up front.
Charles De Ketelaere could also start in Florence, with Brahim Diaz initially on the bench resting for the away match in North London.
Davide Calabria and Ismael Bennacer are expected to train with the team on Wednesday and be available at the Stadio Franchi at the weekend. It is still unclear whether the Algeria international will start the next Serie A match, so Aster Vranckx, Tommaso Pobega or Tiemoue Bakayoko will partner with Sandro Tonali in central midfield.
At the same time, Fiakyo Tomori or Malick Thiaw could rest at the Stadio Franchi with Simon Kjaer starting in a three-man defence.