
AC Milan Prepares for Juventus Clash Amid Squad Adjustments
AC Milan are intensively preparing for their upcoming match against former rivals Juventus, with at least one confirmed lineup change. Left-back Alexis Estupiñán will miss the game due to a red card suspension sustained against Napoli. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri is considering two options to fill the gap: either Baiocco stepping in or Salemakers shifting to the left-back position.
On the offensive front, Milan are planning adjustments in their attacking lineup. Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest Christian Pulisic will hold one forward spot, while his partner could be Jiménez, Chik, Nkunku, or Leão. Jiménez is considered the most likely partner, though French forward Nkunku also has a strong chance to feature.
Former Milan defender Christian Panucci praised the recent performances of Pulisic and Modrić, highlighting Pulisic’s technical contribution in attack and expressing understanding of Allegri’s substitution decisions. Panucci also lauded Modrić’s football intelligence, noting that even past 40, he continues to influence matches decisively.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan face injury challenges as forward Marcus Thuram is sidelined with a hamstring strain and will miss the match against Cremonese as well as upcoming international fixtures. The club hopes for his quick return after the international break.
Juventus, on the other hand, have shown defensive weaknesses recently, suffering multiple draws in domestic competitions and a loss to Villarreal in the Champions League. Coach Alessandro Mariccio and the squad have expressed frustration, citing defensive lapses as a major factor hindering the team’s overall performance.