Kjaer could take Thiaw’s starting spot against Lazio – the latest

There is a late selection doubt for Stefano Pioli in view of tonight’s game against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, according to a report.

As of this morning it seemed as though Pioli had settled on his side and that the only slight alteration might be Alessandro Florenzi playing at left-back if Theo Hernandez had not recovered from a blow to the foot.

However, MilanNews are now reporting that the Milan head coach now has to resolve a doubt about the defensive department because there is still an ongoing battle between Malick Thiaw and Simon Kjaer.

The German and the Dane are both competing for a starting spot alongside Matteo Gabbia in the heart of the defence, and it could well be a decision he makes at the last minute.

Everything else is confirmed though, with Mike Maignan obviously in goal, Florenzi and Theo Hernandez as full-backs, Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer as the double pivot and then Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao behind Olivier Giroud.

It could be that Pioli is pondering how Lazio might line up, given some sources have Ciro Immobile starting up front while others believe it will be Valentin Castellanos, and they are two players with different strengths.