Week 31: Milan – Lecce

Every win brings the team closer to keeping Pioli for next season. The coach’s fate seemed almost certain a few weeks ago but a winning run dating back to over a month has resurrected the idea of Pioli staying. While management may be being convinced the same can not be said of the fans, A MilanMania poll is less forgiving of the coach and the need for new ideas and tactics. Time will tell and the winning needs to continue.

In just over two week it is time for another derby and Inter fans are salivating over the idea of clinching the Scudetto at the derby. Inter are runaway leaders but the aforementioned winning run has Milan advancing towards second place. Lecce in the 13th spot and Sassuolo in 19th present two big chances for further points to increase the distance from the faltering Juventus.

Theoi returns from a one game suspension however Loftus-Cheek goes into the same. The latter’s absence has made for a rethink of the front line and it is likely that Pulisic moves to the attacking role bind the striker. His right wing spot will be taken by the seemingly improving Chukwueze. Leao will of course continue on the left. There were whispers of a Giroud rest, in favour of Jovic, but it seems that the Frenchman will start. A busy schedule including the Europa League quarter finals versus Roma await and rotation may be on the cards. Pioli will have to be cautious however as recent rotation or experiments have mostly backfired.

Adli and Reijnders will likely keep the pivot spots with Gabbia and Tomori the favorites for the middle of defense. Calabria, Theo and Maignan round out the starting 11.

Luca Gotti is now in charge of Lecce after Roberto D’Aversa was dismissed from his position after a headbutting incident last month in the game versus Verona.

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