Serie A Match Preview: AC Milan vs AS Roma
The iconic Stadio San Siro will once again play host to a classic Serie A clash, as AC Milan welcomes AS Roma for a fixture that carries significant implications for both teams’ European aspirations. As the curtain draws on 2024, the stakes couldn’t be higher when these two storied clubs collide on Sunday evening.
For Milan manager Paulo Fonseca, the pressure is palpable. While his side managed to edge past relegation battlers Hellas Verona with a narrow 1-0 victory last Friday, they find themselves outside the European qualification spots, languishing five points adrift of the top six. The former Roma boss is undoubtedly feeling the heat as his tenure at San Siro continues to teeter on the brink.
Consistency has eluded the Rossoneri under Fonseca, making his task all the more challenging. However, one bright spot amidst the chaos has been Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch midfielder has elevated his game, emerging as Milan’s standout performer this season. His pivotal goal against Bologna not only broke the deadlock but also set the tone for their crucial encounter against Roma.
In stark contrast, Roma are riding high after a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Parma last Sunday—a result that serves as a powerful statement ahead of their final road trip of a tumultuous 2024 campaign. Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers’ involvement on the scoresheet, alongside the talismanic Paulo Dybala, underscores the Giallorossi’s attacking prowess as they aim for their 51st victory against their rivals.
Match Preview
Milan
Historically, Milan boasts a formidable record against Roma, having secured more victories against them than any other Serie A opponent aside from Inter and Juventus—79 victories in total. Home advantage has served them well, with the Rossoneri undefeated in their last six league encounters at San Siro against Roma since 2017 (W4, D2), including a convincing 3-1 victory in this fixture last season.
Fonseca must leverage Milan’s robust home form to appease an anxious fanbase. The hosts are undefeated in their last five home league matches (W3, D2) after suffering a setback against Napoli, and they have conceded an impressive average of just 0.4 goals per game during this stretch. However, the San Siro crowd is eager for a performance that shakes off the disappointment of a lackluster 0-0 draw against Genoa—a result that brought frustration on the eve of the club’s 125th anniversary.
Roma
On the other hand, Claudio Ranieri’s Roma enter this match brimming with confidence, having found the net a staggering nine times in their last two Serie A fixtures. However, the veteran manager’s return to the Stadio Olimpico has been anything but smooth, registering only four wins in his first eight matches (W4, D1, L3). Perhaps his biggest challenge has been rectifying Roma’s away form, which has been dismal to say the least.
Currently, only bottom-placed Venezia has recorded fewer away league points than Roma’s paltry four. Alarmingly, the Giallorossi are still without an away victory this season in Italy’s top flight (D4, L4), a statistic that puts immense pressure on Ranieri’s squad as they prepare to head to Milan. Furthermore, the club is mired in an unsettling run, with no wins in their last 11 away league fixtures (D5, L6)—their longest such streak this century. To compound their woes, Roma have failed to score within the first 25 minutes of an away match since October 2023.
Team News
Injuries have decimated Milan’s squad, with key players like Alessandro Florenzi, Luka Jovic, and Ismael Bennacer still sidelined. Fonseca also faces the prospect of being without Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, and Yunus Musah, though the return of Christian Pulisic to training provides a glimmer of hope for the Rossoneri.
Conversely, Roma will travel to Milan with a virtually full-strength squad, missing only Bryan Cristante due to an ankle injury. Expect Leandro Paredes to slot into the midfield alongside the impressive Manu Kone as the visitors aim to exploit their uphill battle for a much-needed away win.
Milan vs Roma Potential Starting Line-ups
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Terracciano; Chukwueze, Reijnders, Jimenez; Morata.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Kone, Angelino; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk.
Milan vs Roma Prediction
With injuries hitting Milan hard, they will keenly observe Roma’s poor away record as they seek to seize all three points. Anticipate a fiercely contested match filled with limited but crucial scoring opportunities.
Prediction: Milan to Win
