Turin-Milan: AC Milan emergency with 7 absent

Against Torino there will be no Ibrahimovic, Rebic, Castillejo and Bennacer, as well as Kjaer, Romagnoli and Florenzi

The injuries had given Milan respite for a while, a couple of months with the squad almost complete, but between the match with Bologna and today’s match with Toro, bad luck has returned to haunt Pioli. In addition to Kjaer and Romagnoli, Ibra (left knee overload), Rebic, Castillejo and Bennacer (fatigue) are also out of the squad. To these is added Florenzi, operated on the meniscus and out for a month. In short, the result is simple: few alternatives during the race.

Who plays

The line-up is necessarily written: Maignan between the posts, Calabria and Theo full-backs, Kalulu and Tomori central. In the middle, behind Brahim Diaz, Tonali and Kessie, with Leao and Saelemaekers on the flanks. Giroud single point. In addition to Mirante and Tatarusanu, Pioli will have at his disposal Gabbia, Ballo-Touré, Bakayoko, Krunic, Messias, Maldini and the young Lazetic, yesterday on the pitch for an hour against the Primavera against Cagliari (defeat 4-2). First game as a starter after four months (the last he had played in December 2021 against the Red Star in the league, 59 minutes on the pitch). It will be the only alternative to Giroud in the role of first striker.

Few chances

The race is essential. Inter have won against Verona and put pressure on the top of the class. At the moment Inzaghi is at -1 with a game to recover (Bologna). Napoli is the usual hammer. Winning in Turin, where the Rossoneri scored 7 goals last year, is important to make the other two understand that Milan won’t give up. Especially after the 0-0 against Bologna in the last round. The offensive alternatives in the current match remain Messias, far from on the ball in the last matches, without goals since February, Krunic, Maldini (protagonist in La Spezia in September) and the eighteen-year-old Lazetic, still hunting for his debut in Serie A. Bakayoko has not played since January 17, Gabbia and Ballo-Touré are two defenders. Milan are in full emergency, Pioli will have to ask the owners for an extra effort.

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