Milan‘s Serie A marketing campaign is nearing its conclusion, however what ought to be a cost towards the European spots has became a damage-control mission. Because the Rossoneri put together to tackle Udinese on the Stadio Friuli on Friday, they achieve this in ninth place, eight factors off the European qualification spots, and staring down the barrel of a season which will finish with out continental competitors for the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
For head coach Sergio Conceicao, whose future on the membership seems more and more unsure, this fixture carries extra than simply three factors. It represents a vital check of resilience, tactical creativity, and depth—qualities which have been strained to the restrict in latest weeks.
With simply seven video games remaining, the Rossoneri should discover a approach to win virtually all of them, particularly with a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg in opposition to Inter looming. However this weekend’s conflict is difficult by a wave of accidents, forcing Conceicao to rethink not simply his line-up, however his complete strategy.
Damage disaster hits exhausting: Gimenez joins Walker on sidelines
The latest and damaging blow got here within the type of striker Santiago Gimenez, who has been dominated out of the Udinese recreation after a painful collision within the earlier match in opposition to Fiorentina. The Mexican ahead suffered respiratory difficulties and a sore aspect after clashing with David De Gea. “I can say this: Santi gained’t be there tomorrow night,” Conceicao confirmed throughout his press convention. “He’s not recovered.”
Although scans dominated out any fractures or inner accidents, Milan’s medical employees opted to take a cautious strategy, eradicating him from competition for the Friuli journey. His absence is a tricky capsule to swallow, particularly because the Mexican striker has been within the midst of an eight-game aim drought since early February.
To make issues worse, Kyle Walker, the veteran right-back on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis, additionally underwent pressing surgical procedure for a fractured elbow earlier this week. La Repubblica reviews that he might return in late April or early Might.
Tactical tweaks on the horizon
The absence of Gimenez has pressured the Portuguese supervisor into tactical experimentation. Studies from MilanNews recommend that the coach trialed a extra aggressive 4-4-2 formation throughout coaching, pairing Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic collectively up entrance. This may mark the primary time each strikers begin collectively beneath Conceicao in Serie A, though the supervisor has used the same strategy in cup matches.
Regardless of experimenting with a dual-striker setup, Conceicao is anticipated to revert to a 4-2-3-1, with the English striker main the road and Jovic held in reserve as a possible affect substitute. Roma’s loanee, having scored in consecutive video games, is seen because the extra in-form possibility.
What about Pulisic, Leao, and Felix?
Because the line-up takes form, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are each anticipated to begin, whereas Joao Felix stays a wildcard. The Portuguese attacker, on mortgage from Chelsea, has but to completely persuade, and whereas his technical high quality is rarely in query, his consistency stays a problem. Ought to Conceicao go for a late-game reshuffle or have to chase the end result, Felix may very well be launched from the bench.
The predicted beginning XI contains Mike Maignan in aim, a again 4 of Jimenez, Gabbia, Thiaw, and Theo Hernandez, and a midfield double pivot of Fofana and Bondo. Forward of them, Reijnders is tipped to return because the No.10, with Pulisic and Leao flanking him and Abraham main the assault.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Jimenez, Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Fofana, Bondo; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Abraham.
