AC Milan and AS Roma have different objectives following a below-par campaign so far, and they lock horns on Sunday, aiming to end 2024 on a high note.
To explain it in brief, AC Milan’s topsy turvy season is defined by the fact that Paulo Fonseca’s job has come under serious consideration twice already in this campaign as they get set to host AS Roma at San Siro on Sunday. The most recent slum came when the Rossoneri won a single game in five, which began asking questions about the manager’s position at the club.
Milan are way behind in the title race already, although their win over Hellas Verona might have brought them back into the top four race at the very least. That is not to say that the Rossoneri cannot get back into the title race at some stage later in the season, given the topsy-turvy nature of the other teams above them.
The big problem for the home side are the number of teams ahead of them in the standings, which makes the challenge to break into the top four a challenging one. Now, AC Milan take on another inconsistent side in the league as Fonseca’s men welcome AS Roma to San Siro.
Claudio Ranieri has made Roma a bit better than they have been all season, as the experienced manager has brought a bit of attacking mojo back into the side. Some recent results have propelled them in the standings, with 19 points keeping them in tenth place for the time being.
Still, it is a far way off a top-four place, which would be a realistic goal for AS Roma ahead, which now looks difficult, unless they can stitch together a run of results and hope their rivals above drop off. The game against Milan is extremely important, as a win at the San Siro would bring them closer than ever this season to the Rossoneri in the standings.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
AC Milan’s injury list still looks long, but that could be shortened in the coming period, as some players could make a return to the matchday squad. For instance, Christian Pulisic has been back to individual training, and while there are doubts about the American starting, he could well make the bench on Sunday.
Ismael Bennacer is also back on the mend, as well as Luka Jovic, with the duo returning to full training with the senior squad. This game might still be short for them to start, meaning the duo can still impact from the bench.
However, there is still no good news on Rafael Leao, Noah Okafor, Alessandro Florenzi, Yunus Musah, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as these stars are still unavailable for selection.
Leao’s absence will continue to give Alex Jimenez a chance to play on the left side of the attacking setup, with Alvaro Morata taking up a different role behind striker Tammy Abraham. Star midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana are expected to play in midfield.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Royal, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Morata, Jimenez; Abraham
AS Roma
Claudio Ranieri does not have many problems with injuries, as only Bryan Cristante is absent from proceedings following a setback in his recovery. In any case, the experienced manager is unlikely to make any changes to the lineup that put five goals past Parma.
A 3-4-3 shape is likely to take shape, as Ranieri might not want to disturb a winning formula, especially for a big game like this one against Milan. Manu Kone and Leandro Paredes are the midfield pairing trusted by the experienced Italian manager.
Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy are the preferred choices to support Artem Dobvyk in the attacking setup. Alexis Saelemaekers and Angelino are the choices in the wide areas, as Rainieri will look to get a positive result at San Siro.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Tasenda; Dybala, Dobvyk, El Shaarawy
Key Stats
- AC Milan have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven matches in Serie A.
- AC Milan have kept six clean sheets in their last seven league matches at home
- AS Roma have been winning at both half-time and full-time in their last three matches against AC Milan in all competitions.
- Roma have lost their last four games on the road in the league.
Player to Watch
Alvaro Morata
The Spanish striker needs to step up in the absence of some key attackers like Leao and Pulisic, as Milan desperately need inspiration in the final third. The experienced striker has been playing a different role of late and offers more support to fellow striker Tammy Abraham.
Paulo Fonseca might be in a decent position to challenge for the top four, but the team are still short of consistency with results that could make them firm contenders for the Champions League places. Hence, this is a time for Morata to make his presence felt and make a difference.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-1 AS Roma
AS Roma are in a bit of free-scoring form ahead of their trip to San Siro, and Claudio Ranieri will certainly look for a repeat of the performance they had against Parma. The experienced Italian manager will also know the difficulties in getting a big win away from home, as Roma’s dreadful away form of late could have a telling effect.
Milan have been stronger on home soil and could take this game seriously to continue that run. They will also know the problems at Roma on the road, meaning a slender 2-1 victory could be on the cards as the Rossoneri continue their march towards cementing a top-four place. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Paulo Fonseca and his charges.
