As AC Milan prepare for their upcoming Champions League fixture, manager Sergio Conceicao faces some tough decisions regarding his team selection. The match, which precedes the highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina against Inter on Sunday, comes at a time when Conceicao has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with some of his players’ performances following a narrow victory over struggling Parma.
The Rossoneri’s squad has been hit by a series of injuries and suspensions, limiting Conceicao’s options. While Samuel Chukwueze made a triumphant return to action with a last-minute winner in their previous match, several key players remain sidelined. The absence of Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, and long-term casualty Alessandro Florenzi has left gaps in the squad that need filling.
A particular area of concern is the right-back position. With Davide Calabria suspended and new loan signing Kyle Walker ineligible until the knockout stages, Conceicao may need to turn to less experienced options like Filippo Terracciano or Davide Bartesaghi to fill this crucial role.
Despite these challenges, Milan can take heart from the stellar performances of several players who have been instrumental in their recent European resurgence. Rafael Leao has been a standout performer, leading the competition in successful dribbles and contributing three goals. Christian Pulisic has also been in fine form, directly involved in five goals in his last six Champions League starts. The midfield has been bolstered by the consistent contributions of Dutch talent Tijjani Reijnders.
Their opponents, Dinamo Zagreb, have their own star in the making. Striker Sandro Kulenovic is on the verge of making club history, needing just one more goal to equal Dinamo’s record for most goals in the Champions League group stage.
However, the Croatian side is not without its own selection issues. Bruno Petkovic and Petar Sucic are sidelined due to injuries, while Lukas Kacavenda is suspended. Additionally, their recent signing Wilfried Kanga is ineligible for the competition.
As both teams grapple with absences and tactical considerations, this Champions League encounter promises to be a test of depth and adaptability. For Milan, a positive result here could provide crucial momentum heading into their high-stakes derby clash with Inter at the weekend.
Dinamo: Nevistic; Ristovski, Torrente, Bernauer, Mmaee, Pierre-Gabriel; Stojkovic, Ademi, Baturina, Pjaca; Kulenovic
AC Milan: Maignan; Terracciano, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Bennacer, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Morata
