1 day ago
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Massimiliano Allegri has pretty much decided the starting eleven for AC Milan’s game against Torino, but there is one midfield battle that he hasn’t declared a winner of yet.
After the Coppa Italia defeat, Milan and especially Allegri are eager to show that they remain on the right track. A win against Torino would certainly send signals despite Il Toro’s shaky start, as the Rossoneri have only won once in the last 12 away games against the club.
As mentioned at the start, Allegri has a good idea of what the starting eleven will look like, with Matteo Gabbia, Davide Bartesaghi, Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic after the rest mid-week. In the midfield, however, there is still one battle to decide.
Two very different choices
Gazzetta dello Sport reported this morning that Samuele Ricci, Ardon Jashari and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were all contenders for the final spot. However, according to MilanNews, the Swiss international can be ruled out of the race, leaving just the other two.
It’s a decision that could make quite a big difference, as Ricci and Loftus-Cheek are very different players. For example, the Englishman often moves into the box for headers, which would allow Pulisic to drift out wide where he’s very good in 1v1s.
Ricci, meanwhile, isn’t so much about size and physique as his colleague, but rather elegant plays and smart movement. The fact that he played for Torino last season could perhaps be a perk, even if the start to the season has been a bit rocky for the Italian.
Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leao.
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