Series A
Europa League probable line-ups: Milan vs. Roma
Milan and Roma are pressured to make modifications in defence by bans within the 1st leg of the Europa League quarter-final, with a watch on neutralising the opposition assaults.
It kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Though these are repeat Serie A rivals, that is the primary time they’ve crossed paths in a European fixture and so they assure at the very least one Italian group shall be within the Europa League semi-finals.
Fikayo Tomori and Evan Ndicka are suspended, so this forces changes in the defences of both teams.
Malick Thiaw is tipped to take over for the Rossoneri alongside Matteo Gabbia, leaving Simon Kjaer on the bench.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was suspended in Serie A on the weekend, however he returns, shifting Christian Pulisic again to the appropriate aspect of assault, with Rafael Leao on the left and Olivier Giroud upfront.
As for Roma, not solely is Ndicka banned, however Dean Huijsen shouldn’t be on the UEFA squad checklist and Sardar Azmoun is injured.
That limits the choices for Daniele De Rossi, who ought to subsequently begin Chris Smalling in defence.
There may be one more reason to decide on the English centre-back, as his aerial capabilities enable him to successfully counter Giroud.
Probably the most troublesome selection is perhaps at left-back between Leonardo Spinazzola and Angelino, because the Italian was on the bench towards Lazio, maybe as he was being rested for this match.
Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku are assured to begin, more than likely with Stephan El Shaarawy finishing the trident assault.
Possible line-ups
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Gabbia, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud
Roma (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy
Ref: Turpin (FRA)
