There are increasing reports that Milan will move to 3-5-2 for the Derby della Madonnina against Inter tonight, dropping Rafael Leao, while Walter Zenga explains why Junior Messias isn’t a completely new idea in midfield.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.
The Rossoneri go into this showdown in crisis after a series of heavy defeats, including their 3-0 Supercoppa Italiana loss to Inter in Riyadh last month.
Stefano Pioli had pledged to make changes and there are growing suggestions he will completely revamp the side into a 3-5-2 formation.
That would have Theo Hernandez on the left wing, so there is no room for Rafael Leao, sent to the bench for the second Serie A match in a row after the 5-2 defeat to Sassuolo.
Instead, Divock Origi would join Olivier Giroud upfront, with Davide Calabria on the right flank.
This 3-5-2 system would enable Milan to mirror Simone Inzaghi’s usual Inter approach and tactically neutralise the wing-backs Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian.
The other big change is Messias moving from the right side of a supporting trio behind the striker to a midfield position instead, replacing injured Ismael Bennacer.
It is not entirely a revolutionary idea, as explained by former Crotone coach – and Inter goalkeeper – Zenga.
“He played there for a year at Crotone and did it well, too,” Zenga told Sky Sport Italia.
It would of course be a huge surprise to drop Leao for the second game in a row, but the Portugal international has been on poor form lately and can be perhaps more damaging off the bench against tired legs, especially as Inter tend to drop off in intensity during the second half.
Milan (probable): Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Kjaer, Gabbia; Calabria, Messias, Tonali, Krunic, Theo Hernandez; Giroud, Origi
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