AC Milan face a trip to Parma this weekend as we look to get back to winning ways and try to solidify our place in the top four in Serie A.
After the disappointment of being held to a draw by Sampdoria last time out, it’s likely that any faint hopes of a Scudetto push are now over, and so the Rossoneri must now ensure that they stay clear of the chasing pack in the race for Champions League qualification.
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As things stand, we hold a four-point lead over Napoli in fifth place, and so with just nine games to go in the Serie A campaign, we can ill-afford any more mistakes and slip-ups.
Both sides head into this encounter with mixed form, as Parma have picked up five points from their last five games while Milan have two wins, two draws and a defeat in their last five outings.
However, we will perhaps be relieved to be on the road this weekend given we’ve won 14 of our last 16 Serie A games away from home, with a draw and one loss coming in the other two outings.
Team news
Stefano Pioli has received a boost this week through the news that Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao and Mario Mandzukic have all stepped up their respective recoveries from injury and are all expected to be available for selection on Saturday, as reported by MilanNews.
That certainly provides the Milan boss with more options in attack, and so it’s hoped that if they do feature, they are able to make it count by making a significant contribution.
Davide Calabria, Daniel Maldini and Alessio Romagnoli are expected to miss out, but the treatment room is undoubtedly starting to clear at a crucial stage in the campaign.
As for Parma, they have been hit with a string of injuries as Caviglia, Iacoponi, Inglese, Valenti, Brunetta, Zirkzee, Karamoh, Sohm, Osorio and Mihaila are all expected to be absent for the hosts, as they continue to battle for survival in the top flight this season.
Key battles
With Graziano Pelle expected to get the nod up front for Parma, his physical and aerial battle with Simon Kjaer could be a crucial factor in whether or not we keep it tight at the back and pick up a clean sheet.
In turn, the Dane will have to be on his game, and the same could be said of Diogo Dalot if he starts at right back, as he’ll have to deal with the pace and movement of Gervinho who is always a threat.
The hosts have the lowest goalscoring record in Serie A so far this season having scored just 28 goals, but that should be no reason for our defence to be complacent.
Naturally, the midfield battle will be a pivotal one with Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie looking to stamp their authority on the game, and it’s crucial that Hakan Calhanoglu provides us with quality in the final third to help us unlock what is likely to be a stubborn Parma defence, albeit one that has conceded 56 goals in 29 league games.
Ante Rebic could come up against a familiar face in Andrea Conti on the left flank, while it’s vital that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is given the service needed for him to be a danger in the box, and so his own battle with the Parma backline will be decisive.
