GdS: Amorim expected to continue European rotation trend vs. Bournemouth – the latest
On the eve of AC Milan’s game against AFC Bournemouth, some clues about Ruben Amorim’s selection choices are emerging.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) begin a report by speaking about something ‘unusual’ that happened on Tuesday: two days before a European match, Amorim opted to grant the team a day off. This was neither an impromptu decision nor one prompted by recent fatigue.
Instead, the schedule had already been set at the start of the week. The routine will continue with a training session this morning, followed by a departure for Bournemouth this afternoon. Once there, the manager and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will do the press conference duties.
More rotation expected
On the pitch, Amorim will once again employ the rotation strategy used in the previous European games, an approach that didn’t pay off against Benfica but yielded excellent results against Red Bull Salzburg.
In any case, rotating the squad is a necessity: in defence, with Filippo Terracciano suspended and Matteo Gabbia injured, the only available alternatives are Fikayo Tomori and Sankhoun Diawara. The former made his seasonal debut in Austria, and could get another start in his home country.
If the team lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, Davide Bartesaghi – another youngster featuring more in Europe – could slot in at left-back. In midfield, Luka Modrić might be rested, with Ardon Jashari taking over the playmaking duties.
Loftus-Cheek is set to play, while Adrien Rabiot could be asked to put in extra minutes to complete the midfield trio. Up front, Goncalo Ramos will likely retain his starting spot, but Francesco Camarda may get the nod again.
Whomever the striker is will be supported by the birthday boy and hat-trick hero Alphadjo Cissé, with either Omari Hutchinson or Samuel Chukwueze (the former being the favourite) on the opposite flank. Diego Moreira, Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah would be weapons off the bench.
