Diaz and Dest in the balance, Tomori out: all the doubts of Pioli for Zagreb

Time to prepare for the game: little. Doubts: many. A scenario that is actually not surprising, for how things have turned out in the last few hours. Let’s say that these are not exactly the best conditions to prepare for the away match in Zagreb, the first of the two decisive challenges in the Champions League round of 16.

Doubts

–

First of all, the recovery times, which are small: Monza and Dinamo are only 72 hours away and, as Pioli pointed out, the numerous injuries did not allow him to do all the rotations he would have liked. Let’s start with the safe absentees, or long-term patients: Maignan, Calabria, Florenzi, Saelemaekers and obviously Ibra (who, like Maignan, is not even in the Champions list). After that, there are two last-minute doubts, and they are no small doubts. Diaz and Dest left the stage prematurely from San Siro against Monza and will be evaluated in these hours. Milan has announced that Brahim has reported a contracture in the left buttock, while for the American international it is a generic muscle fatigue. Pioli has spread a fair amount of optimism on both, but it is clear that here what makes the difference is the lack of time: 72 hours are few, very few to get back on track when muscles are involved.

Re-enter

–

A speech that is especially true for Diaz, but also the possible absence of Dest would correspond to a problem for Pioli. In fact, watch out for the defense because Milan will present themselves in Zagreb without another of its columns: Tomori is disqualified and this means that if Dest does not make it, Kalulu would have to be enlarged, with Kjaer and Gabbia central couple. With Sergiño on the field, instead (comforting his performance with Monza), Kalulu in the middle together with one between Kjaer and Gabbia. Tonali will return to the median, completely spared against Monza, while both Leao and Giroud will return from the first minute. It remains to be understood who will be entrusted with the keys to the trocar: De Ketelaere remains the favorite, even if it did not work with Monza, but it is not excluded that Pioli thinks of a player of substance like Krunic. It will also depend on the form, depending on whether it will be 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.