Official: Starting XIs for AC Milan vs. Lecce – six changes from Benfica defeat

Ruben Amorim has named his starting eleven for the game between AC Milan and Lecce, making six changes compared to last time out.

The start to the Europa League adventure didn’t go according to plan for Milan, as they were comfortably beaten by Benfica at San Siro. Since then, Amorim has received some criticism for the team selection, which he also addressed in yesterday’s presser.

AC Milan vs. Lecce: Official starting XIs

Whether the criticism had an effect or not is unclear, but Amorim has made quite a few changes to the team for this one. At the back, Mario Gila has returned to start alongside Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic.

In midfield, Samuel Chukwueze is the only one keeping his spot as Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot and Pervis Estupinan are starting. The Ecuadorian is a bit of a surprise after his poor display against Lazio, and especially since Diego Moreira is on the bench.

Goncalo Ramos is getting another chance up front, but he will have two new colleagues in attack: Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers. Both have been very creative off the bench, so Amorim’s hope is that they will help end the first-half struggles tonight.

There is one major surprise with Lecce, as the start centre-back (and Milan-linked) Tiago Gabriel isn’t starting due to a stiff neck. Kialonda Gaspar is starting in his place.

are no real surprises with Lecce, as the starting eleven is exactly what was reported both yesterday and earlier today.

Official Milan XI (3-4-2-1): Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Pulisic, Saelemaekers; Ramos.

Bench: P. Terracciano, Torriani, Diawara, Gabbia, F. Terracciano, Tomori, Moreira, Comotto, Musah, Jashari, Bartesaghi, Cisse, Loftus-Cheek, Hutchinson, Camarda.

Official Lecce XI (4-3-3): Falcone; Veiga, Siebert, Gaspar, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ilic, Maleh; Pierotti, Stulic, Monteiro.

Bench: TBA