Fresh off beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Champions League, Milan return to Serie A duties with a potentially tricky trip to Lecce on Saturday. Stefano Pioli’s men are winless in their last three league outings and can ill-afford another slip-up after falling six points behind pacesetters Inter.
Piling problems with injuries and suspensions have stunted Rossoneri’s momentum in Serie A. However, the crisis is subsiding, with Milan welcoming Theo Hernandez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Christian Pulisic back to the fold against PSG. The trio’s return saw Pioli’s side deliver their best performance in over a month.
Hernandez’s recovery from a minor fitness problem was essential on Tuesday. He’s likely to start today, with Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori probably lining up at the heart of the Milan backline. Captain Davide Calabria should retain his place at right-back.
Loftus-Cheek had a terrific game against the perennial Ligue 1 champions. His midfield presence made his colleagues, Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah, look far better than in recent Serie A matches. After helping Milan overcome PSG, all three are in a pole position to start at the Stadio Via del Mare.
Rafael Leao, who reminded the world of his quality in that match, will start as a left-winger. Olivier Giroud, whose goal fired Milan to an all-important European win, will lead the line. The only potential attacking alteration could be on the right. Pulisic is still not 100% ready, meaning Samuel Chukwueze could be in line for only his second Serie A start.
Milan (4-3-3): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yunus Musah, Tijjani Reijnders; Samuel Chukwueze, Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao.
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