According to Gazzetta.it, in all competitions this season Stefano Pioli has only been able to field the same starting eleven four times 2 against Inter and Udinese in Seria A and 2 in Europa League matches against Lille and Celtic dating back to late October and early November of 2020.
Milan has been unlucky with injuries losing several big names like Ibrahimovic, Bennacer, Rebic, Calhanoglu, Kjaer, and Romagnoli.
On October 17th, 2020, Milan fielded the starting eleven for the first of two games after recovering Ibrahimovic from injury. Pioli started the derby which the Rossoneri won 2 -1 with Gigio Donnarumma in goal, Kjaer and Romagnoli in the middle of the defense, Calabria and Theo on the wings, Kessie and Bennacer pivot in the middle, Calhanoglu in attacking midfield position, Saelemaekers and Leao on the flanks and Zlatan upfront.
The Dacia Arena was the last time Milan fielded the aforementioned starting eleven in the league a match IL Diavolo won 2-1, from then onward the Rossoneri has been hit a lot of injuries, some COVID infections, and suspension.
In the Europa League Milan also fielded the same eleven just twice before the rain of injuries and COVID cases. Against Celtic on October 22, Stefano Pioli rested some big names after the derby, he played with Gigio in goal, Dalot in place of Davide Calabria, then the usual defense of Kjaer, Romagnoli, and Theo. In the middle Tonali and Kessie were paired with Bennacer on the bench, Castillejo, Krunic, and Brahim were deployed behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a match the IL Diavolo won 3 – 1 with goals from Krunic, Diaz, and Hauge.
Pioli fielded the same eleven against Lille on November 5th with a little difference, Krunic starts as a winger and Diaz as a playmaker, but the formation is the same as that played in Scotland against Celtic. However, the Rossoneri lost 3-0 after Yazici’s hat-trick.
Milan has not failed so badly despite the absentees but the Rossoneri fans would very much like to see their preferred starters fully fit and playing together again.
