Divock Origi is expected to make his Milan debut as a starter against Sampdoria tomorrow, while Simon Kjaer should partner Fikayo Tomori in defence.
The Rossoneri visit Sampdoria at Marassi tomorrow before Wednesday’s second Champions League group stage game against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Serie A champions picked up a 1-1 draw away at RB Salzburg on Tuesday and Pioli is expected to rotate his squad against the Blucerchiati tomorrow.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia, Origi will make his first appearance as a starter. Olivier Giroud needs to rest and the ex-Liverpool striker is favourite over Ante Rebic.
Origi has racked up 81 minutes across four appearances so far this season but never started since joining Milan as a free transfer from the Reds.
Pioli said on Tuesday that he ‘needs to play more’ to settle in more quickly, so he will have a chance tomorrow.
Kjaer will also return to the starting XI and is expected to partner Tomori in central defence with Pierre Kalulu on the bench.
Tommaso Pobega is also tipped to start in central midfield, replacing Sandro Tonali or Ismael Bennacer. Rafael Leao and Charles De Ketelaere are likely to start again with CDK looking for his first goal with the Serie A giants.
Sounds good. Origi really need to step up though. His cameos so far have been terrible. Here’s hoping we could score a couple goals early to then rest some more players as the Dinamo and Napoli matches are up next, but there are no easy games in Serie A anymore.
Yeah, they need to play
Great if Pobega does start. He can really bring something to the midfield that no one else can. He will make mistakes but that’s the price you pay to bring young players through.
Agree with the decision, but I am worry about Adli as he was given very few chances so far.
I hope Pioli give him a chance either on the right or center position.