Predicted XI

No Ibrahimovic return - How Milan could line-up against Sampdoria

Ibrahimovic has still not recovered from the thigh injury sustained against Napoli two weeks ago, and looks likely to miss out again

 
2:23pm on Saturday 5th December 2020
By
Emmet Gates

Milan will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again for the clash against Claudio Ranieri's Sampdoria side on Sunday.

The Swede suffered a thigh injury against Napoli two weeks ago at the Stadio San Paolo, and was forced off.

Ibrahimovic still hasn't recovered from the injury, and thus will sit out another match, after having missed the last two Europa League games, and the 2-0 win against Fiorentina last weekend.

Croatian Ante Rebic is once more expected to start at the top of Milan's attacking line-up.

Stefano Pioli didn't rotate his side in the 4-2 win against Celtic on Thursday evening, and it's expected that the coach will retain most if not all of the same starting XI that featured.

One doubt is defender Simon Kjaer, who picked up a knock within the opening 10 minutes of the game against Celtic and was replaced by Alessio Romagnoli.

Young defender Matteo Gabbia is expected to replace the Dane, should he not recover in time.

Theo Hernandez, Alessio Romangnoli and Davide Calabria are all expected to start in defence for Milan.

Ismael Bennacer was rested in the win over Celtic, but is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Rade Krunic. Bennacer will partner Franck Kessie in the heart of the Milan midfield.

In the attacking midfield positions, Belgian Alexis Saelemaekers was also rested in the victory against the Scots, but is expected to return to the side in place of Spaniard Samu Castillejo.

Jens-Petter Hauge produced a memorable performance for Milan against Celtic, and is believed to be earning his first league start against Sampdoria.

Hakan Calhanoglu will play behind Rebic as the main attacking midfielder.

Milan: Squad, FC Ratings, Matches, Formations

Predicted Milan XI vs Sampdoria

Milan - Football tactics and formations

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