Allegri Reshuffles After Sassuolo Defeat: Milan’s Predicted Starting XI
Following the disappointing 2-0 loss to Sassuolo, Massimiliano Allegri is ready to make significant changes for Milan vs Atalanta. With the stakes this high, another false step is simply not an option, and the Livorno-born manager has opted to rotate across multiple areas of the pitch compared to the previous outing.
Attack: The Giménez-Pulisic Partnership
The most anticipated news concerns the forward line: Santiago Giménez is expected to start alongside Christian Pulisic. The Mexican striker returns to the spotlight after a period troubled by injuries and inconsistent performances. Giménez, signed for approximately 30 million euros from Feyenoord, had shown his true quality in the Netherlands before moving to Italy, where his impact has been far more erratic. His last Serie A goal came almost a year ago — a statistic that weighs heavily and makes tonight an important litmus test for the South American centre-forward.
Lining up beside him will be Christian Pulisic, one of the most consistent and reliable players in the Rossoneri’s season. The American is called upon to make the difference, as he has done so often throughout the year, putting his technical quality and ability to create danger at the team’s disposal.
Rafael Leão, meanwhile, is not expected to start: the Portuguese winger will begin on the bench, a technical decision reflecting a less-than-optimal spell of form. His future at the club also remains one of the hottest topics ahead of the summer transfer window.
Midfield: Jashari Out, Ricci In
A significant change in the engine room: Ardon Jashari will not feature from the start. In his place, Samuele Ricci will slot in alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Saelemaekers in the central trio. Bartesaghi and Adrien Rabiot will occupy the flanks, with the former Juventus Frenchman tasked with providing experience and defensive cover in a game that allows no margin for error.
Loftus-Cheek takes the place of Fofana, while Ricci steps in for Jashari — a choice aimed at injecting more dynamism and directness into a Milan build-up that has too often looked laboured in recent weeks.
Defence: De Winter Covers for the Suspended Tomori
At the back there is a forced change: Fikayo Tomori is suspended and will miss the game. De Winter is set to replace him, forming the back three alongside Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlović. Between the posts will be Mike Maignan, the French goalkeeper who remains one of the team’s key pillars and one of the finest keepers in European football.
Milan Predicted Lineup (3-5-2)
Maignan; Gabbia, Pavlović, De Winter; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Giménez.
Three games left in the season, a razor-thin table, a tough opponent. Milan needs its best men tonight. Forza Milan!
