It is matchday 20 of the Serie A. Stefano Pioli will lead his AC Milan team from the bench, as usual, in the hopes to get a double win this season against Mourinho's Roma. The first match between the two earlier this season ended in a victory for the Rossoneri 2-1. Now, the game will be more difficult, but the fans should remain hopeful.
In the Serie A standings, the red and black faithful have collected so far 42 points after 19 games. They are second, behind Inter who have 46 points. The Nerazzurri face tonight Bologna. As for AS Roma, they are 6th in the standings with 32 points.
Latest news: So many absences for the unlucky AC Milan...
AC Milan fans were left eager for this coming game after the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Davide Calabria, Rafael Leao, and Ante Rebic. But, bad news hit shortly after with first Ciprian Tatarusanu testing positive for Covid-19 followed by Samu Castillejo who are in isolation. Then, three more players tested positive, too. But they are still unnamed as of this moment (the rumours going around is that they are Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori and Alessio Romagnoli).
Now, as far as the lineup is concerned, it seems that Pioli will rely on Olivier Giroud up front because Ibrahimovic may not be ready to play for the majority of the game as he has just recovered recently. Same goes for Leao and Rebic, they might not start. On the left, instead, Alexis Saelemaekers could start with Junior Messias on the right flank.
As it is also known, Franck Kessié and Ismael Bennacer are not available due to participating with their national teams Cote d'Ivoire and Algeria, respectively, in the AFCON 2021. Milan is truly lacking so many players going into this fixture and the players who are available must give absolutely everything on the pitch to match the energy and strength of José Mourinho's Roma.
As for the Giallorossi, their experienced Portuguese boss, is also worried like everyone else about more absences in his squad due to Covid-19 cases. But, as of this moment, these should be his choices for the starting formation:
3-5-2: Rui Patricio; Ibanez, Smalling, Mancini; Vina, Veretout, Cristante, Pellegrini, Karsdorp; Abraham, Zaniolo
As for AC Milan coach, Stefano Pioli, here is the possible lineup:
