Stefano Pioli insists Napoli’s defeat ‘doesn’t change anything’ for Milan in their trip to Torino, while he confirms Brahim Diaz would’ve started regardless.
It kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The pressure is on the Rossoneri after Inter’s victory over Verona and a shock Napoli 3-2 home defeat to Fiorentina, so a win here would put the Rossoneri four points clear at the top of the table.
Did the squad sit down and watch Napoli’s game this afternoon?
“I think the players rested this afternoon. It doesn’t change anything, because we already knew this was an important game and we had to put all our energy, passion and quality into it in order to win,” Pioli told DAZN.
Pioli had to make adjustments in Turin this evening, because Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ismael Bennacer, Ante Rebic and Samu Castillejo were last-minute injury absentees.
They joined Alessandro Florenzi, Simon Kjaer and Alessio Romagnoli on the treatment table.
“Brahim Diaz would’ve played between the lines anyway. It happens in football, you have some rough days, but we have the players who are motivated and ready. We know our opponents, we know their strengths and will try to make our strengths count.”
Ibrahimovic is not here, but will another Milan player take over the pre-match pep talk?
“Someone will speak before the game in the locker room, certainly. We have players with a strong character who sometimes know even better than me how to press the right buttons.”