What’s the best thing to do after a decisive victory?
A: Pat yourself on the back
B: Celebrate like you have never won by drinking yourself into oblivion
C: Forget it and move on.
The answer here is C, for obvious reasons. On Wednesday Milan welcoming Belarus side, BATE, to the San Siro for a crucial match. If Milan can get a win they will all but assure their passage into the next round with seven points from three matches and potentially make Barcelona’s visit to the San Siro a winner takes all match for the Group. Pretty exciting and something people seem to have forgotten with their gloomy outlook on Milan’s poor run of form in Serie A. Hopefully that is behind the team after a decisive win on the weekend, but the win is in the rear view mirror as Allegri looks to pick a winning eleven with healthy players and team chemistry to keep the newly found momentum alive.
The return of Robinho was crucial in the last match, and it is tempting to send him out there again midweek to start. I think his match fitness is up to the level and he can always be subbed if Milan get on the score sheet early. Allegri also has Prince at his disposal and Ambro may be fit to give Van Bommel a well-deserved day off, something he hasn’t gotten since his summer holiday. Allegri can go with a bit stronger team here with Milan playing Lecce on the upcoming weekend, and while no game is a given, securing points in this one with a strong squad should be priority number one. It may best for precautionary reasons to rest Silva who seems to have suffered deep bruise, allowing Nesta to start alongside Yepes or even Mexes, but the Frenchman may lack match fitness. With the team getting healthy and the roster ballooning Allegri’s choices get a bit harder, but why mess with what worked on the weekend!?
Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini; Aquilani, Ambro, Nocerino; Prince; Binho, Zlatan
As discussed I went with Yepes over Mexes because of match fitness. I slotted Prince in so it frees up Cassano to spell Binho and gave Van Bommel the day off as mentioned. I feel this lineup preserves the balance from the weekend while maintaining a team that could keep the ball and find the back of the net. Three points in this one, would give top standing in the CL group and now only four points off the lead in Serie A, it doesn’t look like the sky is falling after all now does it.