MN: Milan’s probable XI to face Monza – Pioli prepares five changes

By Isak Möller -

AC Milan will take on Monza tomorrow evening and will have the opportunity to reclaim second place, following Juve’s 2-2 draw against Verona earlier today. As per several reports, Stefano Pioli is set to make five changes to the starting XI. 

Milan have been in very good form lately, currently nine games unbeaten in the league, and will be looking to add three important points tomorrow. Important indeed, as the Rossoneri can leapfrog Juventus in the league standings after losing second place in October.

According to MilanNews, as we also spoke about in our comprehensive match preview, Pioli is expected to make five changes compared to the 3-0 win against Rennes. At the back, Malick Thiaw is back at full capacity and will thus replace Simon Kjaer.

Tijjani Reijnders is struggling with fatigue and should be replaced by Yacine Adli, while Ismael Bennacer will take the spot of Yunus Musah as expected. Up front, meanwhile, Noah Okafor is currently ahead of Christian Pulisic for the right-wing role.

Luka Jovic should also get the chance from start, hoping to build on his ‘average minutes per goal’ stats with another one tomorrow.

Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Florenzi, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernandez; Bennacer, Adli; Okafor, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Jovic.

Tags AC Milan Monza Stefano Pioli

10 Comments

  1. 5 changes seems a lot.

    Our recent run coincided with a settled line up. As did the run at the start to the season.

    We do need to rest players occasionally but it should be balanced. 5 is half the outfield players.

    Whatever about mad ideas, hopefully I’m wrong.

    A win puts us 2nd!

    1. Correct.. five changes seems too much at d same time.. d only plus is dat he didn’t rest leao and Theo…. We go score goals 🤣🤣

    2. 5 changes seems a lot but they’re mainly forced. e.g. Reijnders would’ve started if he hadn’t been run into the ground all season, Thiaw’s replacing Kjaer which is a bonus, Bennacer for Musah – solid. The only qualm I have is dropping Pulisic, unless he’s also knackered?

      1. I’m glad to see Musah return to the bench. I hope to see him at the 60 to clamp down any hope Monza have with his energy.

        I am a huge Puli supporter and often feel he is not credited for the off ball work he does. The Rennes game he was clearly not tracking back as usual after the first 20 min. He seemed toack the bit extra with the ball against a weak/disorganized D. So I do believe he is tired.

        I’m also glad to see Okafur get extra minutes along side Jovic.my hope is they become a more effective duo.

        Glad to see Thiaw back. We will need him for the hectic UL schedule. I am bummed Simic will not get the start but hope to see him at the 60 if the game permits. He and Musah could be a glimpse of our core 5 hrs from now!

        Forza Milan!

  2. Why are we playing Okafor RW? We should start him LW and give Chukwueze another chance. If Chukwueze plays like shit again we should think of selling hik in the summer.

    1. Didn’t we learn something after Leao, Tonali, CDK, etc? Same with Chuk. Some players need a bit more time before they explode.

      I’m more worried about Jovic as sole striker, good thing that Monza is not having a good moment and that Palladino doesn’t like parking the bus

  3. I think the team is solid… we need to rotate if we want to have our players at full capacity and wants bench players to improve… a team needs 22 starting players, not 11

  4. Chuckweze is still Milans player?
    I’m glad Okafor starts but Chuckweze needs to play, he can not develop and get to his form without consistent playing.

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