Joao Felix and Gimenez can start for Milan, Leao and Reijnders benched | OneFootball

There are reports Joao Felix, Santiago Gimenez and Riccardo Sottil will get their first starts for Milan against Empoli on Saturday, while Rafael Leao and Tijjani Reijnders could be benched.

It kicks off at the Stadio Castellani on Saturday at 17.00 GMT for Serie A Week 24.

The Rossoneri are coming off a midweek 3-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Roma at San Siro, where Joao Felix scored on his debut from an assist by fellow deadline day signing Gimenez.

According to Sky Sport Italia, MilanNews.it and more, both could be in the starting XI for tomorrow’s game with Empoli, along with ex-Fiorentina winger Sottil.

The Portugal international’s presence seems almost guaranteed, but there is still a little doubt over whether Tammy Abraham will play the first half or immediately make way for Gimenez.

Warren Bondo, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal and Alessandro Florenzi are still out of action, but Youssouf Fofana returns after his suspension in the Derby della Madonnina draw against Inter.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AC Milan and Girona FC at Stadio San Siro on January 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The two big decisions regard Reijnders and Rafael Leao.

It is reported that Reijnders could be rested, a big change considering the Dutch midfielder has only been out of the starting XI twice this season in Serie A, against Torino and when he was suspended with Napoli.

Leao was already benched midweek in the Coppa Italia and is still not at 100 per cent with that ankle issue, so could again be introduced later to give him more time to recover.

The focus has to be on the upcoming Champions League play-off with Feyenoord.

The new signings also allow coach Sergio Conceicao to get closer to a 4-4-2 formation, scrapping the 4-2-3-1 used by Stefano Pioli and Paulo Fonseca.

Probable line-up Empoli-Milan

Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez; Sottil, Fofana, Musah, Pulisic; Joao Felix, Abraham/Gimenez