Official: Juventus vs. AC Milan starting XIs – three changes from Fonseca’s finale | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao has named his first starting line-up since taking charge, and he has made some changes from the draw against Roma.

Conceicao has made it clear since his first training session at Milanello that he expects a team who will be compact, aggressive and fight for every ball. Tonight we will see the first glimpse of his Milan side, with a spot in the Supercoppa final against Inter up for grabs.

The official starting XIs

Milan’s attacking options are depleted with Rafael Leao not back yet, plus Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor sidelined back in Italy. That might have influenced the decision to go with a 4-3-3 system, on paper.

There is one change to the rearguard from the side that drew 1-1 with Roma in Paulo Fonseca’s last game as Fikayo Tomori takes Matteo Gabbia’s place. He partners Malick Thiaw, with Emerson Royal and Theo Hernandez the full-backs, plus Mike Maignan in goal.

As mentioned, Conceicao has picked three central midfielders with Ismael Bennacer back in the starting line-up for the first time since August. Youssouf Fofana looks set to play an anchoring role, with Tijjani Reijnders the other mezzala.

Christian Pulisic returns to the XI too after some time out with a calf issue. He is on Alvaro Morata’s right, with Alex Jimenez keeping his place as the left winger given the absence of other options.

Official Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Emerson Royal, Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo; Bennacer, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Jimenez.

Bench: Sportello, Torriani, Calabria, Jovic, Zeroli, Pavlovic, Bartesaghi, Terracciano, Gabbia, Vos, Traoré, Camarda, Musah, Abraham.

Official Juventus XI (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, McKennie; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceiçao, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Vlahovic.

Bench: Perin, Pinsoglio, Yildiz, Nico Gonzalez, Adzic, Fagioli, Weah, Douglas Luiz, Cambiaso, Rouhi.