Rafael Leao will start for AC Milan against Real Madrid in tonight’s heavyweight Champions League encounter.
The winger has been on the bench for his side’s last two matches, but Milan boss Paulo Fonseca confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Leao will be involved from the off in Madrid.
Fonseca said: “Leao is used to playing this type of game, as he should be. What I think is important is that tomorrow he feels good and motivated to make a difference, to be special that’s what I want, and what we all want."
Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi remain out, while Alvaro Morata will be handed a one-match suspension if he picks up a yellow card on his return to his former club.
As for Real Madrid, there are not believed to be any fresh injury concerns for Carlo Ancelotti to contend with.
Rodrygo remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury, with the Brazilian hoping to be back after the international back, and Thibaut Courtois will miss out with a groin issue. Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are still facing long spells on the sidelines.
Ancelotti is unlikely to make significant changes, despite a heavy Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
Luka Modric is an option to start in midfield, but it would be a surprise if the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni lost their places.
Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, with a point to prove after missing out on the Ballon d’Or, will be the key men in attack.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius
Injured: Courtois, Alaba, Carvajal, Rodrygo
Predicted AC Milan XI: Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata
Injured: Bennacer, Florenzi, Gabbia
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports
