Stefano Pioli explains why he chose to use Theo Hernandez as a makeshift central defender against Frosinone, as younger alternatives are ‘risky.’
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.
The situation is so bad on the injury front that Malick Thiaw, Rafael Leao, Pierre Kalulu, Simon Kjaer, Marco Pellegrino, Mattia Caldara, Noah Okafor and Marco Sportiello are out, with Olivier Giroud continuing his two-match ban for insulting the referee in the 2-2 draw with Lecce.
It means Theo Hernandez is moved to central defence, starting veteran Alessandro Florenzi at left-back.
“Theo is a versatile player, he can also help us build out from the back. At this moment, we need to be organised and starting a youngster tonight could be risky,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
There had been reports Milan would pick 17-year-old left-back Davide Bartesaghi or 18-year-old central defender Jan-Carlo Simic.
“Frosinone play very good football, they are feeling confident, while we want a second consecutive Serie A victory and need to give it all our quality, technique and sharpness, knowing it will be tough over 90 minutes.”
With Giroud suspended, Rafael Leao and Noah Okafor injured, the only available centre-forwards are Luka Jovic and 15-year-old Francesco Camarda.
“Jovic was not in good physical shape when he arrived, but now he is doing better and can prove himself.”
There is at least some good news, as Ismael Bennacer is back on the bench for the first time since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the Champions League semi-final with Inter.
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