AC Milan Prepares for Lazio Match with Tactical Continuity
AC Milan went back to work at Milanello on Thursday afternoon with a clear objective: make sure the late slip against Juventus stays an isolated stumble, not the start of a wobble.
Two wins – away at Torino, then at home to Venezia – had launched the 2026-27 campaign with a clean stride. Then came Sunday night. A late Juventus equaliser, a 1-1 draw, and the first points dropped of the season. Now comes another test of nerve and legs: a third away game in four, this time in Rome against Lazio.
Amorim sticks to his blueprint
Ruben Amorim is not blinking. According to MilanNews, he will again trust his preferred 3-4-2-1, a shape that has quickly become the tactical backbone of his Milan.
Mike Maignan stays in goal, captain’s armband on his arm and responsibility on his shoulders. In front of him, Koni De Winter is set to keep his place at the heart of the back three, with Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic either side of him. The message is clear: continuity in defence, even after the frustration of conceding late to Juventus.
Out wide, the battle for the flanks has tilted decisively. Samuel Chukwueze is expected to start on the right, while Pervis Estupinan is tipped to win the duel on the left, edging out Davide Bartesaghi. That choice would also push Diego Moreira out of the XI after his start in Turin, underlining the competitive churn Amorim wants in the wide roles.
Midfield dilemmas and attacking tweaks
The middle of the pitch carries the most intrigue. Yunus Musah looks set to keep his place, with Luka Modric alongside him in the double pivot. Experience and energy, side by side. Ardon Jashari sits behind them in the pecking order for now.
Yet there is a wrinkle. Adrien Rabiot could still be dropped deeper into that pivot if Amorim opts to start Ruben Loftus-Cheek as the central playmaker. It would be a significant tweak, shifting Rabiot’s influence from the attacking line into the engine room.
For the moment, though, the plan points another way. Rabiot is currently expected to continue in the right-sided attacking midfielder role, with Alphadjo Cisse returning on the left after his goal against Juventus strengthened his claim. Cisse’s strike has changed the mood around that position; he has earned the right to go again.
Up front, there is no debate. Goncalo Ramos will lead the line. Behind him, the bench carries one more weapon that could change the rhythm of the game: Christian Pulisic is anticipated to get his first minutes of the season, likely as an impact option rather than a starter.
Predicted XI and options in reserve
So, the projected Milan side for the Olimpico reads:
Predicted Milan XI (3-4-2-1): Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Estupinan; Rabiot, Cisse; G. Ramos.
On the bench, Amorim should be able to call on: P. Terracciano, Torriani, Tomori, F. Terracciano, Diawara, Bartesaghi, Jashari, Comotto, Saelemaekers, Moreira, Loftus-Cheek, Hutchinson, Pulisic, Camarda.
Depth in every line, choices in every zone, and a system the players now know well. Milan arrive in Rome with the sting of that Juventus draw still fresh. Lazio will test their resolve. The question is simple: does this XI have the edge to turn a strong start into a statement away win?
