Milan come into this Coppa Italia Quarter-Finals fixture looking to make the final four of the competition for the fifth time in seven seasons; however, they have been unable to lift the illusive trophy in that stretch, with the last time they hoisted the cup being back in 2002-03.
Team News
The Rossoneri will be buoyed by the derby success at the weekend as Olivier Giroud’s three-minute brace propelled Stefano Pioli’s men to a much-needed and hard-fought victory over their city rivals Inter.
Giroud is expected to start the Coppa Italia fixture on Wednesday night against Lazio with Zlatan Ibrahimovic still recovering from an Achilles tendon problem, while Simon Kjaer is a long-term injury absentee and Fode Ballo-Toure also won’t be available having just won AFCON with Senegal.
The main selection doubts are about whether Fikayo Tomori will get a start in the centre of defence having missed just under a month following keyhole surgery on his knee, and also who will partner Franck Kessie in the double pivot.
Expected Starting Lineup
The latest news about Milan’s starting lineup is that Pioli should opt for Mike Maignan in goal after his heroics on Saturday night, with a back four protecting him comprising of Alessandro Florenzi, Tomori, Alessio Romagnoli and Theo Hernandez from right to left.
It is expected that Kessie will keep his place in the line-up but will drop back into the double pivot to form a pairing with Sandro Tonali in front of the defence. Then in attack, it should be Junior Messias, Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao behind the centre-forward Giroud.
With Lazio securing four clean sheets in all competitions in their past four fixtures, Pioli will be hoping that his men are able to get in the heads of the Lazio backline and convert their opportunities.
