Milan plan revolutionary changes for derby

AC Milan's Portuguese forward #10 Rafael Leao celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Milan AC and Atalanta at San Siro stadium in Milan on February 25, 2024. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

There are reports Stefano Pioli could revolutionise his Milan tactics against Inter tonight, using Rafael Leao as a centre-forward, with Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic in new roles.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

A victory would mathematically guarantee the Scudetto for the Nerazzurri, something that Pioli is naturally eager to avoid.

According to Milannews.it, the coach could experiment with a totally new formation in a bid to surprise Simone Inzaghi.

It would still be a 4-2-3-1 formation, but with Leao moved to the centre-forward role in place of Olivier Giroud.

USMNT influence on Milan

Moving Leao would allow Pulisic to return to his favoured left-sided position after a season doing remarkably well on the right.

His USMNT teammate Musah would therefore take the right flank, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek the only constant as a trequartista.

Yacine Adli and Tijjani Reijnders are the favourites for midfield, leaving Ismael Bennacer on the bench.

The only area with no doubts is defence, because Malick Thiaw is suspended, Simon Kjaer is still not training with the full squad and not even expected to be on the bench, plus Pierre Kalulu injured.

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Adli, Reijnders; Musah, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Leao