Official: Newcastle vs. AC Milan starting XIs – Leao returns as Pioli’s only change | OneFootball

Rafael Leao has returned to the AC Milan starting lineup for the crucial Champions League clash against Newcastle United this evening.

The Rossoneri have been without the Portuguese winger in recent matches due to an injury but Stefano Pioli will be thrilled to welcome him back to the team on a night where Milan simply have to win. Not only that, they also need Borussia Dortmund to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the other game.

Only with those two results will Milan get into the Champions League round of 16.

Given the injury crisis that Pioli is currently dealing with, few changes, if any, were expected to the team that started against Atalanta at the weekend.

Leao comes in for Samuel Chukwueze, and that means Christian Pulisic moves back to the right wing. The midfield three remains as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah, whilst Theo Hernandez will have to be a central defender again alongside Fikayo Tomori.

Alessandro Florenzi is playing at left-back and Davide Calabria will take up his usual place at right-back. Mike Maignan will be in goal.

Official Newcastle XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon.

Bench: Karius, Harrison, Dummett, Isak, Hall, Burn, Longstaff.

Official Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Hernandez, Florenzi; Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Musah; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao.

Bench: Mirante, Nava, Nsiala, Bartesaghi, Adli, Pobega, Krunic, Chukwueze, Okafor, Chaka Traore, Jovic.