Milan x Roma

TIME: 2:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT

PLACE: Stadio Olimpico, Roma

WHERE TO WATCH:

Paramount+ and FuboTV here in the US of Aye and Canada, BeIn for our Aussie pals, ESPNPlay for our fellas in T&T, JioTV for our Indian leoni, and illegal streams that support dictators and oligarchs everywhere.

*Let us know if this needs updating*

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Milan got another game under their belt last week with all the new pieces and that should make them that much more dangerous as their familiarity with each other continues to grow. Getting 6 out of 6 points so far, albeit not vs world-beaters, is still something I think all of us would gladly take to start the season.

Roma have come out the gates slow, much like last season, and while they did improve after that initial rough start, they really only found some European success in making it to the Europa final. On the domestic front they finished 6th, which might have been disappointing to some people but felt about right to me. I don’t rate Roma nor Mourinho that high so not exactly a surprise.

More recently, Roma stole away a point at the beginning of the calendar year, nabbing two VERY late goals to draw at the San Siro and jumpstarting Milan’s historically bad January 2023. Out of all the disappointments last season, which to be fair weren’t all that many, this was the one that stuck in my crawl the most. Milan absolutely manhandled Roma that game for 80 minutes. Then, Pioli substituted some guys and everything unraveled. The Lazio beating nor the Inter beating nor the Sassuolo beating pissed me off as much as that game. Milan returning the favor in the second meeting in late April 2023 helped, but I still want blood!

That brings us to today. Roma are struggling and Milan are hot and with me being a data guy, both in personality and professionally, this has me worried. Roma isn’t as bad as they’ve looked and Milan isn’t going to win every game. Throw in Inter next matchday after the international break and then a big Champions League game 3-4 days after that, Milan can certainly be caught with their pants down today if they’re looking too far ahead. Regression to mean is a real possibility today. 

Alright, here’s a few things I’ll be looking for in today’s game:

• Is this the game Leão breaks out? He’s usually one to score in bunches and with a tough stretch coming of some really important games now would be a good time to start
• With Roma running a 3-5-2 formation the midfield is going to be crowded and spacing will be key for Milan, particularly their midfielders. How do the new pieces adjust and play off each other to create lanes getting forward and likewise, how to do they shut down Roma’s transition game (Mourinho likes to counter) and cover space?
• Will Pulisic score again? How about Giroud? Or will Roma be so preoccupied with them and Leão that one of the midfielders or defenders gets on the board (yes, I know Theo scored last game but just wondering if the goals will come from anyone other than the forward line)?
• What will the substitutions be like if Milan is tied or only up a goal come the 50th minute?…the 60th minute? Will we finally get to see Chukwueze unleashed? What about Okafor? Time to let Musah push some Roma players around?
• For Roma, will Lukaku play and how much? What about Dybala? As Lisi likes to say, no Dybala, no party
• How many dirty-a** fouls will Mancini have? What’s the over/under on being carded? Seeing two yellows? Straight red? Eff that guy

What do you think of these items I’m watching for or wondering about? What will you be watching for? Let us know in the comment section below. Now, let’s go win this thing!

Forza Milan

gillis