From experimental friendlies to a settled line‑up: Milan gears up for United and Torino
From Wednesday the Rossoneri will take the approach seriously, and on Saturday against Manchester United a formation very close to the one Ruben Amorim will field for Torino on 23 August will be deployed, signalling the end of the experimental phase.
From experiments to a settled line‑up
It was the same Rossoneri coach who announced the decision, echoing the earlier statement “Da mercoledì si fa sul serio.” The announcement marks a clear break with the previous friendlies where line‑ups were mixed and minutes spread evenly.
In the three preparatory matches against Celtic, Inter and Chelsea, the Portuguese manager distributed playing time almost uniformly and fielded “mixed” formations to avoid finishing matches with only young or reserve players. Those choices helped keep the eleven competitive but prevented the squad from synchronising specific tactical mechanisms. Consequently, from Wednesday the focus will shift toward Torino preparation and away from broader squad rotation.
Starter minutes are set to rise for Luka Modric and Gonçalo Ramos, who have so far seen limited action because they arrived late due to the Mondiale. Other players have also been used cautiously for the same reason. The increased involvement of Modric and Ramos reflects the coach’s intent to solidify the core before the official debut.
The return of Gila to the back line will allow the defensive line to sit higher, while the recovery of Christian Pulisic remains a prerequisite for his full integration. Both adjustments are aimed at strengthening the team for the United encounter and the subsequent Torino match.
Looking ahead to the Torino debut
Although Maignan and Rabiot are unlikely to feature against Manchester United on the upcoming Saturday, they could be available for the home game against Torino after just one week of training. Their potential inclusion adds depth to the squad for the 23 August fixture.
A plausible starting eleven for the Torino clash would feature Maignan in goal, a back three of Gila, Gabbia and Pavlovic, wide midfielders Chukwueze on the right and either Saelemaekers or Bartesaghi on the left, a central duo of Modric and either Jashari or the young Comotto, and a forward line with two of Nkunku, Leão or Loftus‑Cheek supporting Ramos as the lone striker.
The contrast between the experimental early friendlies and the now‑settled line‑up underscores Milan’s dual focus: delivering a competitive performance against Manchester United while simultaneously preparing a cohesive unit for the crucial Torino debut.