AC Milan Prepares for Lazio Clash: Amorim's Tactical Blueprint
AC Milan sharpened their focus at Milanello on Thursday afternoon, with Ruben Amorim already sketching out his plan for a tricky trip to Lazio and a third away game in four to open the season.
Milan arrive in the capital with a small bruise on their record. After back-to-back wins over Torino and Venezia, they let Juventus off the hook on Sunday night, conceding late in a 1-1 draw that cost them their perfect start to 2026-27. The response now has to come on the road, in a stadium that rarely forgives hesitation.
Amorim sticks to his blueprint
There will be no tactical surprises. Amorim is set to lean again on his trusted 3-4-2-1, with Mike Maignan in goal and wearing the armband. In front of him, Koni De Winter keeps his place at the heart of the back three, with Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic expected to flank him.
The wide areas tell the real selection story. On the right, Samuel Chukwueze is in line to start, a change that would push Diego Moreira out of the XI after his appearance in Turin. On the left, Pervis Estupinan is currently ahead in his duel with Davide Bartesaghi, giving Milan an aggressive, front-foot pair of wing-backs for a game that could be played at high speed.
Midfield dilemmas and a crowded No.10 zone
The double pivot looks, on paper, settled. Yunus Musah is again tipped to start alongside Luka Modric, with the American holding an advantage over Ardon Jashari. That pairing offers legs and control, the blend Amorim has leaned on in the early weeks.
But there is a twist. Adrien Rabiot remains a live option to drop back into that pivot, which would open the door for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to start as the central playmaker. For now, though, the indications point elsewhere.
Rabiot is expected to stay in the right-sided attacking midfield role, where he has been used so far, while Alphadjo Cisse should reclaim the left slot after his goal against Juventus. That would keep Loftus-Cheek waiting in reserve, a powerful card to play if the game opens up.
Up front, there is no debate. Goncalo Ramos will lead the line again, the reference point for Milan’s attacks and the first line of pressure when they lose the ball.
Pulisic waiting in the wings
One name stands out on the bench. Christian Pulisic is expected to make his first appearance of the season from there, offering Amorim a high-impact option for the second half if Milan need a different rhythm or a decisive run from deep.
The rest of the bench underlines the depth at Amorim’s disposal: P. Terracciano and Torriani as goalkeeping cover; Tomori, F. Terracciano, Diawara and Bartesaghi reinforcing the defensive unit; Jashari and Comotto for midfield balance; Saelemaekers, Moreira, Loftus-Cheek and Hutchinson as attacking alternatives; and Francesco Camarda as the wildcard centre-forward.
Predicted AC Milan XI vs Lazio
System: 3-4-2-1
Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Estupinan; Rabiot, Cisse; G. Ramos.
Subs: P. Terracciano, Torriani, Tomori, F. Terracciano, Diawara, Bartesaghi, Jashari, Comotto, Saelemaekers, Moreira, Loftus-Cheek, Hutchinson, Pulisic, Camarda.
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