Milan didn’t get the best of starts to their season finally as they got just one point from the clash against Sampdoria last weekend. Therefore, it will be very important for them to bounce back with a win against Parma tomorrow, which really is a must if you look at the season the respective sides have had.
Stefano Pioli’s men looked very lacklustre last time out and were saved by Jens Petter Hauge, who came off the bench and beautifully scored the equaliser. Based on the majority of the game, in fact, the Rossoneri barely deserved one point and it’s interesting to think they were just about denied the win by the woodwork.
In short, they need to improve a lot and since tomorrow’s game is away from home, the Milan fans are more confident. With a win, the players will ease the pressure a bit in the top-four race as dropping points almost always puts you in a bad position. And with a good squad available, the win is in sight.
TEAM NEWS
Indeed, Pioli will be able to rely on a much stronger squad this time out as the likes of Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao and Mario Mandzukic have been called up for the clash. This means that only Davide Calabria and Alessio Romagnoli remain on the injury list, with things looking a lot better for the Rossoneri.
According to the latest reports, the manager will make a few changes to the starting eleven that took the field against Sampdoria. At the back, Pierre Kalulu will get the nod ahead of Diogo Dalot as Alexis Saelemaekers will move back to the right-wing, after what was a failed experiment last time out.
Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie will start in the midfield tandem and it makes sense since they are the starters, although Sandro Tonali was bright against Sampdoria. In the attacking trio, the final change will take place as Ante Rebic will start ahead of Rade Krunic on the left flank.
The Croatian winger was touted to start against Sampdoria but came off the bench in the second half, eager to prove a point after a tough spell. Perhaps, he will be able to get back on the scoresheet tomorrow or at least register an assist, with several good players around him.
Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Bennacer, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Ibrahimovic.
Probable Parma XI (4-3-3): Sepe; Conti, Bani, Gagliolo, Pezzella; Kucka, Hernani, Kurtic; Man, Pellè, Gervinho.
STATS
- Parma’s last win against Milan in Serie A was back in March 2014 (4-2) – since then, there’s been five Rossoneri wins and two draws.
- In 2021, Milan have picked up 26 points in 15 Serie A matches (18 of these coming away from home) – five sides have gained more points in this period.
- Milan have won 14 of their last 16 Serie A away games: drawing the other 2-2 v Genoa in December 2020 and losing 0-2 v Spezia in February 2021.
- The next will be Jasmin Kurtic’s 50th appearance in all competitions with Parma, he has scored in both of his Serie A matches against Milan with Parma
- Parma are one of three of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s favourite targets in Serie A (10 goals, alongside Palermo and AS Roma): AC Milan’s striker scores on average a goal every 89 minutes against the Gialloblu, his best mins/goal against an opponent faced at least eight times in the competition.
PREDICTION
Parma haven’t done well this season and it’s clear that Milan are the favourites to clinch the three points this afternoon. Having said that, it’s also very hard to determine where the Rossoneri stand as recent performances have left a lot to be wished. Anything other than a win, though, would be really disappointing for the away side.
Parma 0-2 AC Milan
Are you a Serie A expert? Can you defeat the top Serie A Fantasy Managers? If you think so, play fantasyseriea.com!
To leave a comment, you must be logged into www.eurofantasyleague.com