AC Milan Prepares for Lazio Clash with Key Players in Focus

AC Milan went back to work at Milanello on Thursday afternoon with one thought in mind: Rome. After the sting of a late Juventus equaliser and the first dropped points of the 2026-27 campaign, Ruben Amorim is preparing his side for a third away test in four games, this time against Lazio in the capital.

The mood is hardly one of crisis. Milan beat Torino away and Venezia at San Siro to open the season, and the performance against Juventus carried plenty of positives before the late lapse. But the draw has clearly focused minds. The session at Milanello offered the first real clues about how Amorim intends to respond.

Amorim sticks to his blueprint

No surprises with the shape. Amorim is expected to stay loyal to his 3-4-2-1, the system he has been drilling since the start of his tenure.

Mike Maignan remains the immovable presence in goal, captain’s armband on his sleeve and responsibility on his shoulders. In front of him, Koni De Winter should again anchor the back three, rewarded for his recent displays, with Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic either side of him.

That trio, on paper, gives Milan height, aggression and the courage to defend high. Against a Lazio side that likes to combine quickly between the lines, their positioning will dictate how brave Milan can be without the ball.

Wing battles and wide calls

Out wide, the choices say a lot about Amorim’s intentions.

On the right, Samuel Chukwueze is in line to start, offering direct running and one-on-one threat. On the left, Pervis Estupinan currently has the edge over Davide Bartesaghi. The Ecuadorian’s experience and engine appear to have convinced the staff, which would also mean Diego Moreira drops out after starting on the right in Turin.

Those two wing-backs will be asked to do everything: pin Lazio’s full-backs back, but also sprint 60 yards the other way when the counter comes. If Milan win this game, there is a good chance it starts with their work on the flanks.

Midfield dilemma: Modric’s brain, Musah’s legs… and the Rabiot question

The heart of the team looks set to feature a familiar pairing. Yunus Musah is expected to keep his place alongside Luka Modric in the double pivot. Musah brings the power and ball-carrying, Modric the angles and tempo.

Ardon Jashari is pushing, but for now appears behind them in the pecking order. One wrinkle remains, though: Adrien Rabiot. It is not ruled out that the Frenchman could drop deeper into the double pivot, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek stepping in as the central playmaker.

That decision will shape Milan’s personality in Rome. Stick with Modric–Musah and you get verticality and rhythm. Bring Rabiot back and you gain extra size and defensive security, but you have to reshuffle the attacking midfield line.

Supporting cast behind Ramos

As things stand, Rabiot is still expected to operate as the right-sided attacking midfielder, just off the striker. On the opposite side, Alphadjo Cisse is in line to return to the XI after his goal against Juventus, a timely contribution that strengthened his claim to the left attacking slot.

Ahead of them, Goncalo Ramos leads the line again. His work rate and movement remain central to how Amorim wants Milan to press and attack. The Portuguese forward will be judged on goals, of course, but his ability to occupy defenders could open lanes for late runs from Cisse, Rabiot or a deeper midfielder.

On the bench, one name stands out. Christian Pulisic is expected to get his first minutes of the season, a potentially significant boost in terms of creativity and end product once the game stretches.

Predicted XI and options

Barring late surprises, Milan should line up like this at the Olimpico:

Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Estupinan; Rabiot, Cisse; Goncalo Ramos.

Amorim’s bench is deep and varied: P. Terracciano, Torriani, Tomori, F. Terracciano, Diawara, Bartesaghi, Jashari, Comotto, Saelemaekers, Moreira, Loftus-Cheek, Hutchinson, Pulisic, Camarda.

There is youth, there is experience, and there are game-changers if the night turns complicated.

Milan travel to Rome still unbeaten, but no longer perfect. The reaction to that late Juventus blow will say plenty about how far this new-look side can go.