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Bench Sparks: Milan’s Bold Shuffle for Fiorentina Showdown

11 January 2026

Bench Sparks: Milan’s Bold Shuffle for Fiorentina Showdown
Milan eyes key points in Florence after bold bench reshuffle.

Match Preview: Milan vs Fiorentina

Milan travel to the Artemio Franchi in Florence for a pivotal Serie A encounter against Fiorentina, as Massimiliano Allegri reshapes the visitors’ XI for the 20th round. The coach signals a clear intent to inject fresh energy into a squad that needs momentum to climb the table.

In a bold move, Milan bench veteran Luka Modrić and attacker Rafael Leão, while Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku are also left out of the starting lineup. Niclas Förl earns his first start since arriving in the winter window, tasked with providing a spark in midfield and attacking buildup as Milan chase a positive result away from home.

Fiorentina, playing on home soil, field a familiar lineup and aim to leverage the fans and the venue to edge ahead in the contest. The tactical setup for both sides points toward a balanced showdown, with Milan likely prioritizing structure and countering Fiorentina’s possession game.

Defensively, Milan hinge on collective solidity and the fresh legs introduced from the bench, hoping to translate the reshuffle into chances and control of the tempo. Fiorentina will look to press high and test the reworked Milan midfield, seeking to dictate the rhythm from the early stages.

Final note: this match is more about strategic tweaks than sheer fireworks, but you can bet the chessboard will glow with every substitution and tactical switch. The bench, in particular, promises to play a starring role as the clock ticks toward 90 minutes of high-stakes football.

Sniper punchline 1: Milan’s bench is so stacked that even the subs have a spotlight and a pre-match autograph session second to none.

Sniper punchline 2: If suspense were a formation, this game would be a 3-1-2-4—definitely heavy on the substitutes and light on spoilers.

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes did Milan make to the starting XI?

Luka Modrić and Rafael Leão were benched, Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku were also left out, while Niclas Förl started his first match since arriving in the winter window.

Where and when is the match played?

The game takes place at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence as part of Serie A round 20.

Who is the Milan coach behind the changes?

Massimiliano Allegri is directing the reshuffle and lineup decisions for the clash.