The Rossoneri need to win to get back to within five points of Inter. Leao will start on the bench, while Pulisic is out. Loftus will lead the line.

Victories for Inter, Napoli, and Juventus mean that Milan must go to Bologna to take all three points. Not only to stay in touch with leaders Inter, but also to avoid losing ground to two of their direct rivals for a place in next season’s Champions League and to extend their lead over Roma, who were beaten in Udine. The Rossoneri have never lost against teams in the right side of the table (seven wins and three draws), and Allegri wants to continue this “tradition” by extending the streak of 21 positive results (13 wins and eight draws) that began after the defeat on the first day against Cremonese. However, this is a delicate moment in the season because tonight at the Dall’Ara, Maignan and his teammates will play their fifth away game of the last eight without two key players (Saelemaekers and Pulisic), but also with Leao and Füllkrug not at their best. The offensive potential, therefore, will be reduced. Not ideal for a Diavolo side that wants to get back to winning ways after the draw in Rome and ahead of the ten days without games that separate tonight’s match from the one on Friday 13 in Pisa (Milan-Como on the 8th has been postponed to the 18th).

Allegri knows that it is time to grit his teeth, to bring home the result even in a ‘dirty’ way or… by the skin of their teeth. As might have happened at the Olimpico if it hadn’t been for Bartesaghi’s penalty. The infirmary is not helping because, in addition to Gimenez, Saelemaekers has raised the white flag after tests on his left adductor following a relapse in Rome (out for at least a couple of weeks); Pulisic, on the other hand, has a problem with his iliopsoas (he hopes to return in Pisa). Max, who had used him in the final minutes against Gasperini’s team, was hoping to have him available at least for the bench, but after yesterday’s training session, he did not leave by train with his teammates. Nkunku and Loftus-Cheek were tried in attack to give Milan more bite. The alternative is to use Leao and Nkunku together, but Rafa is not at his best due to groin pain: he struggles to sprint and change gear and realizes he cannot give his best. That’s why Allegri is inclined to throw him into the fray during the game, waiting to get him back to his best. Like Füllkrug, whose broken right toe still prevents him from playing 90 minutes.

Revenge and Rabiot—  On the other hand, the Frenchman, who missed training this week due to an injury, has recovered and is certain to play. He and Modric will be the backbone of the team that won 1-0 in the first leg (goal by the Croatian), but feels it needs to do it again to finally erase the memory of the Coppa Italia final lost to the Rossoblù in Rome last May. As a result of that defeat, the Diavolo will be spectators in European competitions in 2025-26. Thinking back to that game, Fofana is eager for revenge and has the edge over Ricci to complete the midfield; in defense, Pavlovic will take Tomori’s place, with De Winter moving to center-right.