AC Milan Prepares for Lazio Clash as Amorim Sticks to Trusted Lineup

AC Milan went back to work at Milanello on Thursday afternoon with one clear objective: make sure the late slip against Juventus stays a blip, not the start of a trend.

Two wins from two had launched their 2026-27 campaign with a clean stride – Torino beaten away, Venezia handled at home – before Sunday night’s sting. A late concession, a 1-1 draw with Juventus, and the first points dropped of the season. Now comes another examination on the road, a third away trip in four league games, this time in Rome against Lazio.

Amorim sticks to his blueprint

Ruben Amorim is not blinking. The plan remains his trademark 3-4-2-1, and the spine of the side looks settled.

Mike Maignan keeps the gloves and the captain’s armband, the reference point behind a back three that once again should feature Koni De Winter in the centre. The Belgian is expected to marshal the line, with Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic flanking him as the outside stoppers.

Out wide, the message is ruthless: form and balance over sentiment. Samuel Chukwueze is tipped to hold down the right flank, while Pervis Estupinan has edged ahead of Davide Bartesaghi on the left. That selection would also push Diego Moreira out of the XI after his start on the right in Turin, underlining the competition for places in the wing roles.

Midfield battles and a big-name dilemma

The heart of the pitch carries the most intrigue. Yunus Musah is in line to start again, his energy and range valued alongside the control of Luka Modric in the double pivot. Ardon Jashari sits just behind them in the pecking order for now.

But there is a twist on the board. Adrien Rabiot remains a genuine option to drop into that midfield two, which would open the door for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to step in as the central playmaker. It is the one area where Amorim can change the texture of his side without touching the overall shape.

For the moment, though, the expectation is that Rabiot continues slightly higher up, on the right of the attacking midfield pair. On the opposite side, Alphadjo Cisse is set to be rewarded. His goal against Juventus has put him in pole position to reclaim the left-sided role behind the striker.

Ramos to lead, Pulisic waiting in the wings

Up front, there is no debate. Goncalo Ramos will spearhead the attack again, the focal point for the runners behind him and the wing-backs breaking from deep.

Behind that starting cast sits a bench with real bite. Christian Pulisic is expected to see his first minutes of the season, a potentially decisive weapon to unleash if the game tightens in the second half.

The likely Milan XI at the Olimpico, in a 3-4-2-1: Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Estupinan; Rabiot, Cisse; G. Ramos.

Options such as P. Terracciano, Torriani, Tomori, F. Terracciano, Diawara, Bartesaghi, Jashari, Comotto, Saelemaekers, Moreira, Loftus-Cheek, Hutchinson, Pulisic and Camarda give Amorim depth across every line.

Milan arrive in Rome with a system they trust, a few selection calls still live, and the memory of that late Juventus equaliser still sharp. Lazio will find out quickly whether that moment wounded Milan’s confidence or merely hardened their edge.