Pioli to make tough choice for Rio Ave-Milan
Rafael Leao will be available for Europa League’s match with Rio Ave but AC Milan will be without Ibrahimovic and Rebic.
Tomorrow, in Portugal, AC Milan play perhaps the most important match of the season. A victory against Rio Ave would secure qualification in the Europa League group stage, 15 million euros guaranteed, and more signings from Maldini. Nevertheless, it will be a very difficult encounter and coach Stefano Pioli has to make a tough choice in attack.
AC Milan striker Rafael Leao returned on the pith in the last Serie A match against Crotone, even if only in the final minutes. The Portuguese talent, with his speed and dribbling skills, was able to create some problems for his opponents.
He is not ready to start yet, but tomorrow in the Europa League match against Rio Ave he will have more space than he had against Crotone. Lorenzo Colombo should still be the starting center forward from the first minute. However, Leao’s physical condition is improving and this is very important, given that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ante Rebic will only be available after the October break for the national teams.
Stefano Pioli in the press conference on the eve of Rio Ave-Milan spoke about Leao and the tough choice he will make for the match in Portugal: “The decision of the starting forward will depend on how we want to play and interpret the game. I’m happy with Leao’s availability, but he’s only been training with us for 5-6 days. He will be available, but only for a segment of the game. I think Rafael has assimilated a new way of playing and a new environment last year. I expect a lot from him because I know he can give us a lot“.
Pioli has great faith in the former talent of Sporting Lisbon and Lille. In his first season with the Rossoneri he had some difficulties, but in recent months he has improved a lot. Expectations are very high in the new season, also because Rafael seems to have the potential to become an excellent player. Nevertheless, against Rio Ave, it will be up to Lorenzo Colombo to lead the attack again.
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