Coach Ruben Amorim decided not to leave out three key players from his list of substitutes, despite the major team breakdown that took place after the championship match. Maignan, Pavlovic and Rabiot remained the pillars on which the Portuguese's tactics are based, proving to be too important to be left out of the turnover.
In the match against Benfica, Amorim adopted a massive switching strategy compared to the last league match, but kept the three defenders intact. Mike Maignan was present on the pitch for all 630 minutes, both in Serie A and in the Europa League, guaranteeing solid defensive security. Pavlovic, also a member of the team's "Stakanov", was always on the pitch regardless of formation and was never replaced. His presence was also confirmed with a contract renewal until 2031, which places him in a leadership position within the group.
Adrien Rabiot, however, did not play all 630 minutes because he was returned on 16 August after an exhausting season which ended with the third and fourth place final at the World Cup against France. Despite this, Amorim decided not to exclude him from the turnover, still relying on him. Rabiot has been described as a key player on a team that needs leaders, and he has proven time and time again that he can lead the group on the field.
Amorim's choice to exclude only these three players from the turnover reflects his confidence in their ability to maintain cohesion and defensive solidity. As the team continues to work to improve their position in the standings, the constant presence of Maignan, Pavlovic and Rabiot remains a key element for Milan's tactical stability. Attention will now shift to the next matches, where the ability of these three players to lead the team will be put to the test.