Porto vs Milan, probable lineups
AC Milan face Porto in a crucial match for the Champions League fate of both clubs. Pioli continues to struggle with injured players.
Tonight, AC Milan travel to Portugal to face Porto in the third round of the Champions League group B. Porto vs Milan is a crucial match for both clubs as their chances of progressing to the next stage depend a lot from the outcome of this match.
Coach Stefano Pioli is aware that only a win can keep the Rossoneri in the game so, despite the many absences, the team must give its best. Alessandro Florenzi, Mike Maignan and Ante Rebic are injured. Theo Hernandez and Brahim Diaz are unavailable due to Covide while Franck Kessie is suspended after the red card against Atletico Madrid.
Pioli has decided to bench Ballo-Toure after the disappointing performance with Verona. Pierre Kalulu will play on the right while Davide Calabria will be moved on the left-back position reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. Simon Kjaer returns from the first minute to form the central duo alongside Fikayo Tomori. Ciprian Tatarusanu will protect the goal in Maignan’s absence.
In midfield the choices are practically obligated. Ismael Benancer, who did great with Verona, will start from the first minute alongside Sandro Tonali. The Benancer-Tonali duo is the least used by Pioli so far but for Porto vs Milan they will form the midfield dam.
Rade Krunic will start from the first minute despite returning from an injury. The absence of both Diaz and Rebic leaves Pioli no other choice with the Bosnian in clear advantage over Daniel Maldini. Alexis Saelemaekers will play on the right wing with in-form Rafael Leao on the opposite flank. Olivier Giroud will lead the attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic ready to contribute in the second half.
PORTO (4-4-2): Costa, Corona, Pepe, Marcano, Sanusi, Otavio, Grujic, Uribe, Diaz, Martinez, Taremi.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu, Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Calabria, Tonali, Bennacer, Saelemaekers, Krunic, Leao, Giroud.
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