Probable Milan XI vs. Fiorentina – Thiaw and Tomori to start together

Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori could be reunited at the centre of AC Milan’s defence on Saturday night for the Serie A clash with Fiorentina. 

According to Milan News, the defence could look very different to usual at the Stadio Artemio Franchi with Theo Hernandez suspended and players returning from long-term injuries.

The French left-back is expected to be replaced by Alessandro Florenzi in the back four, whilst fans may get a chance to see Tomori and Thiaw alongside one another. This had become Stefano Pioli’s favoured centre-back partnership before the injuries.

Davide Calabria will take his usual place at right-back, whilst the midfield two are likely to be Tijjani Reijnders and Ismael Bennacer. Reijnders will be buoyed by the goal he scored for the Netherlands during the international break.

The usual attacking quartet of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud is expected to start the game, which will be an emotional affair considering the passing of Fiorentina director Joe Barone.

It will be the first Milan game since it became clear that Giroud will almost certainly be leaving the club at the end of the season for Los Angeles FC.

Milan predicted lineup vs Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Florenzi; Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.