AC Milan will go on a trip to the northeast, the next destination is Bergamo as Stefano Pioli and his boys will take the field against Atalanta at the Gewiss stadium in a fixture valid for matchday 7 of the Serie A.
The red and black faithful are sitting 2nd in the league with 16 points after 6 matches played (5 wins and 1 draw) while Atalanta are currently 7th with 11 points thanks to 3 wins, 2 draws and one loss.
The last match for AC Milan was in the Champions League, which ended 1-2 in favour of Atlético Madrid while Gasperini's men grabbed the 3 points against Young Boys. However, the last game for Milan in the league was against Spezia at the Alberto Picco stadium. Il Diavolo team won thanks to goals from Daniel Maldini and Brahim Diaz. As for Atalanta, they had an exciting and spectacular match versus Inter which ended 2-2 at the San Siro.
Today in the press conference, Stefano Pioli finally announced that summer signing, Junior Messias, will finally be available.
The 30-year-old Brazilian will be sitting on the bench, eager to make his first appearance for the club. The point of reference in his position, though, is always Brahim Diaz who will be regularly available. He was substituted off the Champions League fixture against Atlético Madrid due to a minor issue. The Spaniard is now ready and should be 100% fit to keep displaying his talent.
The idea is that the former Real Madrid and Manchester City playmaker will be attempting clever runs with the ball and ask for a pass from his teammates between the lines.
Then, Ante Rebic will look to channel his big game energy and try to help his team win by scoring goals from the centre-forward position. Olivier Giroud is not in optimal physical shape yet and that is why he will be on the bench.
Alexis Saelemaekers, on the other hand, will look to continue his good form. The Belgian winger now has more courage to penetrate and cut inside the defences of the opposition. He has pace and a good vision. Rafael Leao will also be heavily relied on as he will be on the left flank. The Portuguese's dribbling and flair will be much needed by his teammates.
Franck Kessié, is not going through the best moment of his career right now and he is likely to be dropped in favour of Ismael Bennacer who has regained his form. Sandro Tonali on the other hand looks to confirm his reliable performances.
At the back, Simon Kjaer should be back to play against his former team and replace Alessio Romagnoli. A key battle here is that the duo of the Dane and Fikayo Tomori will take turns in trying to stop Duvan Zapata of Atalanta.
The Bergamo side also has many other stars and one of their key players is without doubt Milan Primavera product Matteo Pessina. Ismael Bennacer will try to keep an eye on him and close spaces on him in order to not let him release key passes and create chances that could put Mike Maignan in difficulty.
Indeed it will be a battle of midfield. Who wins the possession and claims dominance of the pitch will have more ease in controlling the game. That is why Sandro Tonali will also be very important as he will try to gain advantage of Remo Freuler and try to not let him play his usual game. The young Italian midfielder tomorrow will be crucial in Pioli's plan to cripple Gasperini's midfield and suffocate it. The idea is to play at the same similar level seen against Lazio earlier this season and also like in the first half against Atlético Madrid.
One of Atalanta's main points, however, is Ruslan Malinovskyi, 28-year-old Ukranian forwatd who can play as a supporting striker while drifting often to the right, acting as a winger. Theo Hernandez will need to put on a great defensive show, while using the help of Leao who must return to reduce the threat of Atalanta's on the side.
It will definitely be a tough game. AC Milan has some absences. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Tiémoué Bakayoko, Rade Krunic, and Alessandro Florenzi are all absent. Gasperini also has some important decisions to make tomorrow morning as he must understand if Merih Demiral and Rafael Toloi would be in good condition to start or not. Robin Gosens will surely miss the game though, after an injury picked up against BSC Young Boys in the Champions Lague.
Both teams like to press high up the pitch and attack with pace. Physicality will be highly present and it will be an intense one. Attacking contribution should not be lacking from Milan's fullbacks and wingers but they must also put on a great shift defensively.
This is the hosts probable lineup for tomorrow:
3-4-2-1: Juan Musso; Toloi, Palomino, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, De Roon, Freuler, Maehle; Pessina, Malinovskyi; Zapata.
As for Milan, coach Pioli is likely to deploy the following eleven:
4-2-3-1: Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Theo; Tonali, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Rebic.
