Stefano Pioli explains why he made some surprise changes to the Milan XI in the Europa League quarter-final with Roma. ‘We are trying to be unpredictable.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Fiorentina-Viktoria Plzen and Atalanta-Liverpool on the LIVEBLOG.
The first leg saw Gianluca Mancini’s header secure a 1-0 victory for the Giallorossi, so all the pressure is on the Rossoneri to win here.
Any win by one clear goal will force extra time, whereas if Milan win by more than one goal, they will go straight into the semi-final, as the away goals rule no longer applies.
“We feel great concentration and motivation. We did everything that was in our power and ideas to prepare for this match, now we have to play it well,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“It is important that we time the moves well with the press when we are aggressive, not just push forward for the sake of it. We mustn’t try to force the situation just because we lost the first leg, as we can win it with the right moves at the right time.”
Fikayo Tomori returns from suspension, but Simon Kjaer joins Pierre Kalulu and Tommaso Pobega on the treatment table.
Although it had been rumoured Yunus Musah would start, it was believed to be in place of Ismael Bennacer rather than Tijjani Reijnders.
“We are trying to be unpredictable. In the first leg, Roma accepted going man for man, if they try to do it again today, then we’ll aim to win more duels than them. We were not so effective in the first leg on the individual duels.
“I chose Musah because I think he has the right characteristics for this match, he brings us dynamism, aggression and forward runs.”
Rafael Leao was subjected to a great deal of criticism for his sluggish performance in the first leg, so is there more pressure on him to deliver tonight?
“The team has to play well. If the team plays well, then the individual qualities are allowed to flourish too and we can make the most of all our characteristics, including Rafa.”