Balotelli and Bertolacci likely to be included in the squad to face Hellas, De Jong set for starting role

Andrea Bertolacci and Mario Balotelli are expected to be on the bench this Sunday afternoon while Cerci and Juraj Kucka will start from the bench.

It’s evident that coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has little trust in his available bench players, especially after receiving his ‘answers’ in the Coppa match.

Miha has had a few important men out through injuries but two of them are expected to return to the squad for Sunday’s match with Hellas (15:00 CET).

Balotelli, who was struggling with hip and groin issues, underwent surgery but has managed to return sooner than initially thought. Mario only did the first part of the session with the group before doing athletic work on Friday but he had been working with the squad all week and should be fit enough to be available for the bench. Berto, who suffered a hamstring injury just days after returning from another injury, trained with his teammates today and is also expected to return.

Meanwhile, Mihajlovic is planning some changes in the line-up. Mattia De Sciglio didn’t train today and Davide Calabria is expected to play on the left side of the defense as Luca Antonelli is also still dealing with an injury of his own. In midfield. Juraj Kucka will sit on the bench with Nigel De Jong currently in the lead to start alongside Riccardo Montolivo as the 2nd holding midfielder.

Sinisa is thought to be going with an attacking Milan with Giacomo Bonaventura and M’Baye Niang playing on the wings and Carlos Bacca-Luiz Adriano in attack. Balotelli’s return allows Miha to play with more forwards in the starting XI, which is something he has been waiting some time to try.

Probable XI (could definitely change by Sunday): Donnarumma; Abate, Alex, Romagnoli, Calabria; Niang, De Jong, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Luiz Adriano, Bacca. Sinisa has two more days to decide.