With the break in Champions League these league games become must-win for Milan. With Roma currently playing their best football so far this season, is Milan catching them at the worst time? I know I haven’t been super confident even when Milan brings home all 3 points, but if it’s all the same I would’ve preferred to face Roma 2 months ago. Should I be worried about today?…
MATCHDAY:
LAST FIVE
MILAN: WDWLW
ROMA: WWLWW
FORMATIONS
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Royal, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernández (C); Fofana, Terracciano; Chukwueze, Reijnders, Jimenez; Morata
ROMA (3-5-2): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, N’Dicka; Saelemaekers, Koné, Parades, Pisilli, Angelino; Dybala, Dovbyk
TIME/LOCATION
TIME: 2:45pm EST/7:45pm GMT
PLACE: San Siro, Milano
WHERE TO WATCH:
Paramount+ and FuboTV here in the US of Aye (Spanish broadcast on Fox Deportes in the US); FuboTV and TLN for Canada; TNT in the UK (maybe?); ESPN for Mexico; DAZN for Germany, Austria, Switzerland; a website called GXR for our friends in India; and illegal streams that support dictators and oligarchs everywhere.
*Let us know if this needs updating or if you have additional broadcasters to add*
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Milan come into the match very thin in attackers as Leão, Pulisic, and Okafor are all still out. Even psuedo attackers RLC and Musah are out. So, we’re getting some winger play from Chukwueze at RW, who’s had like 2 good moments all season, and Jimenez at LW, who’s been almost exclusively at LB with the first team and has mostly played RB and RM with the Futuro. I was assuming a 2-striker formation to be honest since Fonseca does have Morata (starting), Abraham, and Camarda all fit. I would assume he’s keeping that 2-striker formation in his back pocket.
For me, I’m most excited that Theo is back in the lineup even though it’s more forced than anything. I’m still not convinced all the inverting and bringing in wide players to make runs down the center of the pitch is the best use of our best player’s skillsets, but I do know Milan needs an in-form Theo to make a realistic run at a top 4 finish. So here’s hoping.
For Roma, they appear to finally be turning the corner on their season. I don’t think they’re top 4 material still, and they aren’t blowing teams out and dominating, but they should challenge for a top 7 even if just on talent/payroll size. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a big Claudio Ranieri fan and I always love to see him do well, but I’ll pause my love for the man today and resume tomorrow. At least we don’t have all of Mourinho’s nonsense to put up with today.
One last thing, Saelemaekers is starting for Roma and while I don’t particularly care he’s not on Milan (on loan at Roma), I know he has many admirers here including Nonno Lisi. While I’m particularly worried about him per se, the ex-player curse seems to show up more times than not, so you can count me among the concerned. Stephan El Shaarawy is still at Roma as well so him making an appearance wouldn’t make me feel any better (Cristante is out injured).
I’m still staying away from predictions – because I have been terrible – but I do know that Milan need to win especially with 4 teams in front of them dropping points this weekend. How they do it?…¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Michael Lisi says: For my own sanity and quality of life we need a win here. On the good side, the defense has been getting better. On the down side, the offense has been a struggle. It won’t be pretty but we get enough here. I say 2-1 to us. Abraham to score the winner against his former team if he comes on late. You know I wanna take Salad to get one. Especially with him up against Theo.
Let’s go find a way to get all 3 points.
Forza Milan
gillis
**Don’t forget to check out Lisi’s Weekend Whip Around: Round 18!