Stefano Pioli has ‘full faith’ in third choice goalkeeper Antonio Mirante for what he admits is a Scudetto showdown between Milan and Juventus, as the coach assures they ‘prepared for all eventualities.’
It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
The Rossoneri took the top spot going into the break for international duty, while Juve are level with Fiorentina in third place, so when asked in the press conference if this was a Scudetto battle, Pioli could not resist.
“Absolutely yes. The race for the title is at the moment down to four teams, but that can change. Juve are a team built to win,” said the coach.
Max Allegri has not particularly appreciated the comments from Pioli suggesting that Juve are the favourites for the Scudetto because they do not have European commitments.
“I don’t think Allegri was upset at my predictions. It is evident that only having one game per week to work on is an advantage. It doesn’t mathematically mean you will win, but it is certainly an advantage.
“It would be important for our confidence and consistency to go seven points clear of Juve, but there are still 29 games to go.”
Milan have serious problems going into this game, because Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez are suspended, with Marco Sportiello, Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ismael Bennacer injured.
“We have Rade Krunic and Pierre Kalulu back in the side, while Loftus has recovered from the muscular lesion, but is not yet at 100 per cent. We have full faith in Mirante, who is an experienced, reliable goalkeeper, admired by his teammates. Antonio knows how to read situations and spaces, so we must do well to give him the right options passing out from the back.
“As for Chukwueze, the alternative for the right is Luka Romero, who is doing very well. If Christian Pulisic needs to rest a little more, then Romero is certainly ready, while Yunus Musah could also play there with different characteristics. Noah Okafor prefers to play on the left wing.”
Juventus have their own issues too, as Dusan Vlahovic looks as if he is recovering to start, but Federico Chiesa is likely out, so Arkadiusz Milik could be the Serbian’s strike partner.
“I think that would change something for them and for us. If two centre-forwards like Milik and Vlahovic play, they would probably keep their defence a bit tighter to send play down the wings. We prepared for both situations, regardless.
“We also took into consideration how Juventus approach set plays. We are a little disadvantaged when it comes to height, but that means we must be even more concentrated and organised.
“It is not to be taken for granted that Juve will defend and counter, this is a different team to the past. Again, we have prepared for all eventualities. Naturally, if Chiesa plays, then the dynamics of Juve’s approach change completely, even though you do not win or lose a match with a single player.”