Few more thoughts:
I expect Milan will mostly play conservatively, and won't be too unhappy with a point. Their back 4 is generally very compact, and they have a double pivot in front of the defence. If they've scouted us, they'll know our biggest problem is breaking down that kind of deep block. So they'll probably play that way, and try and hit us with pace down the left with Leao and Theo Hernandez behind him.
I expect most of their threat to come down that left flank, and in combination play with Giroud / Zlatan and Diaz / Rebic.
Given that, I think we might want to do something like this:
- Give Matip a rest, and play one of Gomez or Konate for some added pace at the back to cover for Trent. Leao will be a handful if he gets behind Trent, and it might be helpful to have pace there. We have 6 games coming up in the next 17 days, so it's probably best if Matip is rested anyway. Gomez / Konate are due a game.
- I think I'd also rest Robbo and start Tsimikas. Tsimikas has looked sharp so far, and I think he should be rewarded with game time, especially as most of the attacking overloads from Milan will come down our right.
- I'd probably play one of Keita or Jones in place of Thiago, as I'd want someone to carry the ball and play between the lines since Milan will mostly be playing deep. Thiago can play on the weekend.
Front 3 will anyway select itself since we have no other options. This is already becoming a problem. Need Bobby back quickly, and one of Origi / Minamino to offer at least
something.
