GdS: Predicted XIs for Milan vs. Inter – Reijnders returns to deeper role | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao is expected to make some interesting changes to the team that lost to Napoli for tonight’s derby against Inter.

Conceicao knows that he can still leave the club at the end of the season with two trophies under his belt in just six months of work, with the Coppa Italia taking on some extra importance given the European spots are currently out of reach in the league.

The predicted starting XIs

The only absentees for the Portuguese coach to think about are Emerson Royal (who should miss another 20 days) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (out for a month after appendix surgery). Yunus Musah returns from suspension, and Malick Thiaw is over his sickness bug.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Conceicao will go with a back four of Kyle Walker, Matte Gabbia, Malick Thiaw and Theo Hernandez ahead of the goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders are down as the midfield double pivot, with Christian Pulisic ahead of them in the No.10 role. Alex Jimenez should get a chance on the right, with Rafael Leao returning on the left and Tammy Abraham remaining up front.

Milan will have some options off the bench such as Santiago Gimenez, Sunday’s scorer Luka Jovic, Joao Felix, Samuel Chukwueze, Warren Bondo and Musah.

Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Jimenez, Reijnders, Leao; Abraham.

Predicted Inter XI (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Zalewski, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Arnautovic.