Milan boss to make bold decisions vs Lecce in Serie A: Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, and Santiago Gimenez out – Is Christian Pulisic in?

It’s safe to say that Milan is in desperate need of a turnaround after suffering three consecutive 2-1 defeats in Serie A, a slump that has seen them plummet to ninth place in the league standings. With the Rossoneri now sitting 11 points outside of the UEFA Champions League positions and a staggering 18 points behind league leaders Inter, their hopes of securing a top-four finish are fading.

Thus, head coach Sergio Conceicao is planning a major shake-up for the upcoming away clash against Lecce, with reports suggesting that some of the team’s biggest names will be benched. Among them are Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, and Santiago Gimenez, who were all left out of the starting lineup during Thursday’s training session.

The Portuguese coach is expected to make at least two enforced changes, as Mike Maignan and Strahinja Pavlovic will serve one-match bans following their dismissals in the recent defeat to Lazio. In their absence, Marco Sportiello is likely to start in goal, while the central defense will see a reshuffle with either Fikayo Tomori or Malick Thiaw partnering Matteo Gabbia.

According to Sky Italia, Conceicao experimented with a 4-2-3-1 formation in training, omitting some of the usual starters. “The idea is to field players who are fresh and motivated,” reported Sky Italia’s correspondent Peppe Di Stefano.

This philosophy saw Davide Bartesaghi tested at left-back instead of Theo Hernandez, with Riccardo Sottil replacing Leao on the left wing. Meanwhile, Alex Jimenez was used on the right flank, and Tammy Abraham was given a chance as the central striker over Gimenez.

Will Pulisic start?

While many of the Rossoneri’s stars are set to start from the bench, one key player remains in Conceicao’s plans: Christian Pulisic. The American international is expected to start in a central attacking midfield role, positioned just behind Abraham. This decision reflects the coach’s trust in Pulisic’s work ethic and tactical flexibility, as he has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Rossoneri.

Conceicao’s vision for the game

Reports from MilanNews suggest that the Portuguese manager has used the extended training period this week to refine his tactical setup and address the recurring issues that have plagued the team’s recent performances. “The coach wants to rely on players who are willing to fight for every ball, both offensively and defensively,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport. The goal is to introduce a more balanced approach that ensures stability in both phases of play.

In midfield, Warren Bondo was tested alongside Tijjani Reijnders, meaning Youssouf Fofana and Yunus Musah could start from the bench. The coach is looking for players who not only contribute creatively but also provide defensive solidity.

Predicted Milan XI vs Lecce

Sportiello; Walker, Thiaw, Gabbia, Bartesaghi; Bondo, Reijnders; Jimenez, Pulisic, Sottil; Abraham. (4-2-3-1 Formation)