Sky: Predicted Milan XI vs. Bologna – what Allegri should do with absences to contend with

AC Milan have a pretty difficult game on Tuesday night, facing a tough side in Bologna. Even if they are not in form, the Rossoblu pose a threat. 

It would be easy to suggest that Milan should win at the Dall’Ara tomorrow night due to Bologna’s recent struggles, but doing so will not be easy. After all, the Rossoneri have found issues when playing against teams in a bit of difficulty.

Nevertheless, this point is also made rather more contestable, given the struggles that Massimiliano Allegri is facing when it comes to his lineup.

Sky’s Predicted XI

Sky, as seen below, have predicted a few changes to the team tomorrow night, and it seems that Milan are truly up against it.

Mike Maignan, Matteo Gabbia and Koni De Winter start at the back once again, but it seems Strahinja Pavlovic should be welcomed back into the defence in the place of Fikayo Tomori.

Moving forward, Zachary Athekame will come into the starting squad due to the injury of Alexis Saelemaekers. Additionally, Youssouf Fofana returns to the midfield in the place of Samuele Ricci, whilst it is pretty standard thereafter across the midfield.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set to return to the team, due to the number of injuries in the frontline. Rafael Leao is a doubt, whilst Christian Pulisic is confirmed to be out.

Our view on the XI

Going off the predictions from Sky, it is difficult to really contest any of the decisions that Allegri is expected to make. It goes back to the depth of the squad. Athekame is the only option at right-back, and it makes more sense to play Loftus-Cheek than to risk Leao.

The only question is whether Fofana plays or not, in our view. Ricci has not really done much wrong since coming into the starting XI, but it is clear from this season that Allegri thinks more of Fofana. It is a big game for the Frenchman, then.