Milan coach Stefano Pioli to rest Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud against Sassuolo

With the Rossonerri set to face Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium tomorrow afternoon, Milan coach Stefano Pioli is tipping towards resting star-forwards Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud.

Milanese journal La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, via MilanNews, that the Italian tactician is expected to deploy Noah Okafor and Luka Jovic up-top against the Nerroverdi in order to permit the Portuguese international and the French veteran to recuperate ahead of their mid-week fixture against Roma in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals, in which they currently find themselves trailing 1-0 on aggregate.

Despite a sluggish and underwhelming start since joining the Milanese club on loan from Fiorentina until the end of the season, Jovic has managed to find his stride under Pioli at the helm of the club, amassing five goals and a single assist in 20-games played in the Serie A, demonstrating growth within his movements in the attacking phase and his link-up play with his teammates.

In addition, the fixture against Sassuolo provides the 23-year-old Swiss international with a major chance in gaining on the pitch confidence after having suffered several interruptions within his playing time due to injuries, as well as his grave struggle in maintaining consistency.

Whilst Inter are on the verge of sealing their 20th scudetto within the next couple of weeks, it seems that Pioli is prepared to prioritize the Europa League in hoping that allowing his clinical goal-scorers to recuperate against coach Davide Ballardini’s side could permit a turnaround within their European cup-tie at the Stadio Olimpico.

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN