Milan is again trying for a 3rd straight win for the first time since late September and this time they welcome the always dangerous Como team. In the first meeting this season, Como attacked and attacked and attacked and to the naive viewer, maybe looked like they were dominating Allegri’s men. But Allegri had his team ready and they pounced when given the opportunity and took back all 3 points to Milanello. Can they defend the home turf and do it again?…
MATCHDAY:
LAST FIVE
MILAN: WWDWW
COMO: WWDDL
FORMATIONS
MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan (C); Tomori, De Winter, Pavlović; Athekame, Jashari, Modrić, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Leão
COMO (3-4-2-1): Butez; Ramon, Carlos, Kempf; Van Der Brempt, Perrone, Roberto (C); Caqueret, Baturina; Paz
***Lineups updated***
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:
I didn’t get a chance to write a post match for the Pisa-Milan game but needless to say it mimicked any game from this season where Milan has played a smaller side. Attack was somewhat timid and restrained, Milan was relatively efficient in front of goal, Milan conceded a stupid goal, and Milan didn’t lose (and won in this specific case!). I didn’t love how it looked/worked but the outcome was what Milan needed.
Today’s game will be a different monster. Como will almost certainly come out to play and want to dictate the flow and pace of the game. Expect Allegri to go with his conservative default: lower block, defend, counter. If this is the case then pairing Leão and Pulisic together up top is less terrible provided you can get the ball to them in space or somewhere that allows them to run at the defense. However, at the time of this writing the attack is still to be determined. Getting a proper hold up player (i.e., Füllkrug) to pair with either Leão or Pulisic would be the best option in my opinion. Yes, Leão might still be hampered by nagging injuries or maybe he’s healed and just needs to knock off the rust. If he is healthy, like REALLY healthy, then he needs to be out there.
Other factors for today’s game pertain to Rabiot missing out due to accumulation (and he got red carded on top of that last game) and will Allegri play Ricci or Jashari in his place. So far this season, Allegri hasn’t liked to play Jashari with Modrić but FotMob does have them together for their predicted lineup (and Ricci in as well with Fofana being excluded). I’m on the record wanting to see Jashari and Modrić on the pitch together and I still do.
Finally, Saelemaekers is out but he hasn’t really been missed. Athekame is providing some solid play and honestly, his crossing is has been excellent and I can’t think of a time in the recent past when Milan had two fullbacks/wingbacks (along with Bartesaghi) on the pitch together who could whip in crosses with either foot and of such high quality. This might sound like hyperbole but think about it for a second…can you name a better pair in like the last 10-15 years?…I can’t.
PREDICTION TIME:
I’ve generally liked when Allegri’s Milan has faced a top 6 side this season. Not only have these games been more enjoyable as a fan but they’ve been fruitful for Milan in terms of points earned especially compared to other top 6 contenders. Milan has simply dominated while others have been poor or are just treading water at best, even Inter. So let’s enjoy this matchup today and hope Milan come ready to play. Need to win to stay in the Scudetto race. Let’s do it.
Forza Milan
gillis
***Lineups updated***