Pioli Shakes Things Up: 5 Changes for Milan's Europa Clash

AC Milan head into the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Slavia Praha tonight looking to protect a slender 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg at the San Siro. However, coach Stefano Pioli has rung the changes for this crucial away match, making five alterations to the side that started the 3-1 Serie A win over Empoli at the weekend.

In goal, there is no surprise as Mike Maignan retains his place between the sticks. The defense has a familiar look, with Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez keeping their spots, but Matteo Gabbia comes in to partner Tomori at center-back in place of the dropped Malick Thiaw.

It’s in midfield where we see the biggest reshuffle, as Ismael Bennacer and Tijjani Reijnders make way for the fresher legs of youngsters Yunus Musah and Yacine Adli in the engine room roles. The advanced playmaker position is unchanged, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek once again operating behind the main striker.

Up front, Rafael Leao returns from suspension on the left flank, with Christian Pulisic keeping his place on the right. This means Noah Okafor drops out of the attack, where Olivier Giroud leads the line again after being rested at the weekend in favor of Luka Jovic.

This revised lineup suggests Pioli is keen to keep things tight against dangerous Slavia opponents, sacrificing some attacking thrust for extra defensive solidity and energy in midfield. The fresher legs of Musah, Adli and Leao could also prove key in what may be an attritional European away day.

Milan will need to be at their resolute best to protect that narrow first leg lead on hostile territory in Prague. But Pioli will surely also urge his side to carry an attacking threat and go for the crucial second away goal that would leave Slavia needing to score at least three times to progress.

All eyes will be on talismanic striker Giroud to provide that goal threat, supported by the pace and creativity of Leao and Pulisic from wide areas. Meanwhile, the young midfield pairing of Musah and Adli have a huge opportunity to stamp their authority on this big occasion.

For Slavia, they will need to throw everything at Milan from the start to have any chance of turning around this deficit. Head coach Jindrich Trpisovsky has named an attacking lineup with Ondrej Chytil leading the line, supported by the creative trio of Tomás Doúdéra, Daniel Provod and Emil Daer Wallem providing ammunition from advanced midfield positions.

The hosts will look to overload Milan in the middle through that attacking midfield four, with the onus on the veteran Petr Holeš and Abdoulaye Doucoure to provide defensive cover. However, their backline has looked vulnerable at times and will be severely tested by Milan’s array of attacking talent.

It promises to be a fascinating tactical battle, with Milan aiming to soak up pressure and hit Slavia on the counter, while the Czech champions must go gung-ho from the off to claw their way back into this tie. Over to you, gentlemen.