Pioli: ‘Loftus-Cheek starting to understand Milan role’ | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli notes Ruben Loftus-Cheek ‘is starting to understand’ his new tactical role at Milan and could be crucial against Napoli this evening.

It kicks off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, also known as San Siro, at 19.45 GMT.

The Rossoneri have rediscovered their form recently and are unbeaten in eight, winning six of those.

Tijjani Reijnders is suspended, so Ismael Bennacer steps in to start with Yacine Adli, the first time these two players have been together from the initial XI.

“I expect them to play with the team, it is not just those two. They are facing a substantial, quality midfield with Stanislav Lobotka and Piotr Zielinski. It will be a tough match, but I expect a great one to watch,” Pioli told DAZN.

Loftus-Cheek is again pushed into a more advanced trequartista role behind striker Olivier Giroud and gets stronger all the time in that position.

“He will be very important. Ruben is starting to understand that role, he must figure out whether he will be marked by a defender or Lobotka. He is an intelligent player, so will ensure he is ready for our attacking moves.”

Napoli are using a 3-5-1-1 formation this evening, so will Milan try to overload their wings and spread the opposition across the field?

“I think Napoli also prepared some defensive movements to cover those gaps, so we must make the right choices, read the game and keep the quality of passing at the right level.”

This is Pioli’s 220th match on the Milan bench, equalling the total of legendary coach Arrigo Sacchi, putting them joint fifth in the all-time club charts behind only Nils Liedholm, Fabio Capello, Nereo Rocco and Carlo Ancelotti.

Milan are also debuting their black fourth kit with design that reflects the architecture of the city, while a white version will be worn against Monza.