AC Milan are in Prague hoping to make their first leg advantage count in order to book a place in the Europa League last 16, but Slavia Praha have already shown they are a tricky proposition.
In his pre-match press conference this evening, Stefano Pioli admitted that he has already chosen the team that will start on Thursday at the Fortuna Arena based on the kind of game he expects, i.e. one where Slavia have to chase goals.
According to MilanNews, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud will return to the attack. The Portuguese missed the last match in the league against Empoli due to a suspension, while the Frenchman started on the bench to make room for Luka Jovic.
Completing the attack will be Christian Pulisic on the right and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as an attacking midfielder, both of whom scored in the 4-2 first leg victory.
In defence, Stefano Pioli will have to do without the suspended Alessandro Florenzi and therefore captain Davide Calabria will act as right back. Theo Hernandez will be on the left, and Fikayo Tomori will be partnered by Simon Kjaer or Matteo Gabbia.
Much will also depend on the condition of the Italian central defender given that after Milan-Empoli, Pioli declared that Gabbia ‘was tired in both calves on Thursday’. However, it seems that he has recovered and will start.
Finally, Yacine Adli returns to the midfield and the Frenchman will be alongside Tijjani Reijnders, with Ismael Bennacer therefore dropping back to the bench.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori Theo; Reijnders, Adli; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.
Bench: Sportiello, Mirante; Kalulu, Kjaer, Thiaw, Terracciano; Bennacer, Musah; Chukwueze, Okafor, Jovic.
Injured: Pobega.
One yellow from suspension: Maignan, Tomori, Musah, Calabria.
Disqualified: Florenzi.