Friendly preview: Leeds United vs. AC Milan – Team news, opposition insight and how to watch

15 hours ago 27

AC Milan will take to the field to play the first of two Premier League friendlies against Leeds United in Dublin on Saturday.

Two wins and a loss for Milan in Asia and Australia have left hopes high for the upcoming season. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are already showing promising signs, and new recruits are looking comfortable in Rossonero already.

However, the test this weekend is certainly going to be interesting. Milan have two games against two Premier League outfits, and the game against Leeds kickstarts things. It will not be an easy test, and with the game nearer to the season’s start, it could even be the biggest test so far.

Team news

With two games this weekend, it is difficult to anticipate who could start which game for Milan. In fact, this is a headache probably already anticipated by Allegri. Nevertheless, the Italian should already have a decent idea of which XI will start both games.

What we do know, though, is that Allegri will not have Christian Pulisic or Warren Bondo to utilise this weekend, with both remaining in Italy; the former due to an injury, whilst Bondo is preparing for a move to Cremonese.

A 4-3-3 could be the option against, with respect, the weaker of the two opponents this weekend. Whilst Allegri may opt for a more defensive-heavy selection against Chelsea. Nevertheless, the personnel should remain much of the same.

Defensively, it is difficult to really see any changes. Mike Maignan will start in goal, and Strahinja Pavlovic will likely remain, whilst Pervis Estupinan could start at left-back. On the right is where issues could emerge, though.

It is entirely possible that Matteo Gabbia, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori or Alex Jimenez could put in cases to start.

Samuele Ricci and Youssouf Fofana are quite likely to start the game, whilst Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be named as the third midfielder after impressing in pre-season so far. Then, with Pulisic’s injury, Alexis Saelemaekers could start on the right, whilst Rafael Leao would start on the left. Leading the line, Noah Okafor or Santiago Gimenez are the likely candidates.

A difficult one to unpack, indeed. Going into Sunday, though, there should be a clearer picture for that friendly than what is currently suggested for Saturday…

Predicted Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Tomori, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Estupinan; Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Fofana; Saelemaekers, Okafor, Leao.

Opposition news

On their return to the Premier League, Daniel Farke has looked to strengthen the Leeds United team over the summer, spending more than €80 million so far, with further investment likely. So, it should be a pretty new look team on Saturday.

Former Milan target Jaka Bijol moved from Udinese at the start of the mercato for a figure of €18 million, whilst Anton Stach arrived from TSG Hoffenheim. The Whites have looked to add recognised quality from Europe’s top five leagues and will feel positive about their season ahead.

It is likely to be a very new side for the Peacocks this weekend, then. Darlow is expected to start between the sticks, whilst new signings Bijol and Gudmundsson are likely to come into the defence alongside Rodon and Schmidt.

The midfield is expected to feature a double pivot of Ampadu and Stach, who will support an attacking line-up of Aaronson, Nmecha and Gnonto. Then, 19-goal striker Joel Piroe is likely to lead Farke’s side forward.

Leeds United’s last XI (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Schimidt, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Longstaff; Gnonto, Stach, Aaronson; Nmecha