After last season, Milan finds itself facing another 'euroderby'. This time in the Europa League against Roma, but the tension is similar because both teams know they have a lot at stake in their season, as well as the coaches, Pioli and De Rossi, who know they have a lot to fight for to secure their futures.
This morning, La Gazzetta dello Sport tried to tactically frame the challenge and identified two main points: 1) how to stop Leao and Dybala? 2) the duel between Bennacer and Pellegrini in the midfield.
On one hand, Rafael Leao is in a period of great form. And on the other hand, Paulo Dybala, experienced and currently not plagued by injuries. They will be the main threats for the defenses: it's important to understand how Pioli and De Rossi will have prepared the match to neutralise the two champions.
The Portuguese will find himself against his former teammate Celik, with whom he has already engaged in important duels in the last 4 encounters with Roma: Leao's qualities are known to everyone, and in these matches, the difference, as highlighted by the pink paper, will be made mainly by his teammates. In this case, it will be Olivier Giroud's job to destabilise the Giallorossi defense, with the help of Loftus's insertions, opening the field for Leao's dribbles on one side and Pulisic on the other. On the other front, the Rossoneri will face an old enemy like Lukaku, who, since De Rossi arrived, has been more involved in teamwork.
Dybala is the one who particularly scares, and he will likely force Theo Hernandez to have an extra eye in defensive phase. Will the number 10s make the difference?
It's possible that the outcome of the match, however, could be decided or at least influenced by who will dominate in the midfield, as often happens in games of this kind. On one hand, Ismael Bennacer and Tijjani Reijnders, with Loftus screening slightly ahead; on the other hand, the trio Cristante-Paredes-Pellegrini. The Giallorossi captain, in particular, is experiencing a great period of form: since De Rossi arrived, Roma plays more, and many balls pass through the feet of the number 7.
It will be mainly Bennacer's task to try to contrast him and try to neutralize him. An important role will also be played, as mentioned, by Loftus-Cheek, who will bring the first pressure on the playmaker Paredes and will have the task of cutting off his supplies to the rest of the Giallorossi midfield.
The variables are Reijnders and Cristante, who have insertion capabilities and can try to break the balance, albeit with very different characteristics.
