Matchday 31: Milan v Fiorentina

I usually wait to post these until the official lineup drops because that matters greatly with this Milan and how I think they will play, but I will be busy (or at least away from a computer) until about kickoff time so let me just share a few thoughts. If you read the Milan-Inter Coppa Italia post match, you’ll remember I talked a lot about how important the lineup selection is and where certain players play. All of that still holds.

It was reported that Reijnders left Friday’s practice with a stomach bug, so there’s a decent chance he misses or at least doesn’t start, as 90 minutes might not be in his legs (looks like he’s indeed called up). Let’s hope he’s healthy and plays but if he doesn’t then that’s mixed bag. Mixed because Conceição won’t be tempted to play him as the CAM (good), but then that means Musah or Bondo will start especially with RLC still out and we don’t want the ball finding Fofana/Musah/Bondo in the box (bad). All the more reason for whoever is upfront, he’ll need to do more than just the dirty work of occupying the CBs. Milan staying wide and banging in crosses would be welcomed too, as that would decrease the need for the double pivot to come in, be the extra man in the box, and find the back of the net. For what it’s worth, the last rumored lineup I did see said Chukwueze was set to start and that would mean Pulisic likely moves to CAM. I hope this sticks even if Reijnders does start.

The first matchup this season between the two was back in early October, with Fiorentina wining 2-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, a place Milan hasn’t played well in of late (lost 3 of their last 4 there). This is also the famed Pulisic is the penalty taker but someone else took the penalty instead and missed game, particularly costly considering the score line. Fonseca also mostly lined up in a 4-4-2 with modest success (Morata and Abraham both played but at times Morata dropped into that CAM role). All of this is to say it’s difficult to take this matchup as a gauge for what’s going to happen in this game.

What I will say is I hope Conceição plays pretty much the same lineup but the keys are Leão starting and Pulisic or João Felix as the CAM. Hopefully Reijnders is a go or we’re going to have to keep our fingers crossed with whoever starts in the double pivot. Hopefully the defense can show the same compactness as vs Inter and let’s hope that allows Maignan to have another stellar performance.