Conceição changes. In his fifth match as AC Milan's coach, the Portuguese manager will present his fifth different lineup. However, tomorrow against Juventus, there will be not just two changes (as happened between the Italian Super Cup final and the match against Cagliari, and from the Cagliari match to the Como recovery), but four, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport.
What are Sergio Conceicao's choices?
Sergio's ideas are clear, and many of the decisions are forced dut to the absence of some players. In defense, the confirmation of Emerson Royal and Theo Hernandez on the wings is expected, while at center, alongside Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia will start, making his first appearance as a starter under the former Porto coach.
The former Villarreal player will have an easier path due to Malick Thiaw's injury, with Strahinja Pavlovic, barring surprises, likely starting on the bench. The second change compared to Tuesday will be in midfield, with Yunus Musah replacing Ismael Bennacer, who is still not at full fitness after his long injury.
In contrast, Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders remain unchanged, even though both are low on energy. Had Loftus-Cheek been available, it would have already happened, but the Englishman's injury in the Super Cup final forces them to stretch their resources.
In attack, Pulisic trained separately yesterday, and today, based on how he feels, a decision will be made whether to include him in the squad. Conceição hopes to have him on the bench in Turin, but does not want to take risks as there is a match against Girona on Wednesday, and Jimenez will be unavailable due to being left off the UEFA list.
The former Real Madrid player, therefore, has a strong chance of starting tomorrow evening on the right wing; on the opposite side will be Leao, and the center forward will be Abraham, who provided the assist for the 2-1 goal on Tuesday.
It will be the former Roma player, not Camarda (who remains a... temptation), to replace the suspended Morata. Álvaro, after his suspension against Como, will likely return for Wednesday's Champions League match, when the coach will make further changes, as Tomori will serve a suspension, leaving only two available center-backs (Gabbia and Pavlovic).
What is Conceicao's approach?
The former Porto coach expects a different style to the challenge compared to Tuesday. Yesterday, the coach emphasized that he wants to see in official matches what is practiced in training, from the first minute, not just when the team is trailing. He is tired of losing his voice during the first half or at halftime to provoke a reaction and start a comeback. That’s why, in recent days, he has been focusing on every detail. After breakfast and lunch yesterday at Milanello, today there will be three "monitored" meals, as the group will train in the morning, have some free time in the afternoon, before regrouping at Carnago and traveling to Turin.
