AC Milan face a crunch clash with Roma this weekend in what could be a decisive encounter in the battle for a top-four finish in Serie A this season.
The Rossoneri currently sit in fourth place in the standings, but with Roma level on 56 points while Inter are just two points adrift and Atalanta are four points behind, it could potentially go down to the wire.
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In turn, we can ill-afford to drop points at this critical stage of the campaign if we wish to secure a return to the Champions League next season through the league route, and so it’s imperative that we pick up a positive result this weekend.
Stefano Pioli would have been hoping to have had a fully-fit squad at his disposal, but there are absentees once again, although having opted to rotate last time out in our win over Lecce, it’s hoped that those in the starting XI on Saturday are in top condition and ready for the battle.
Giroud boost, but Milan trio ruled out
As per Antonio Vitiello, Pioli confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that Olivier Giroud is available for selection, and so the French international is expected to lead the line for us again.
With a lack of effective alternative options, particularly with Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to miss out again along with Alessandro Florenzi and Tommaso Pobega, Giroud will have a fundamental role to play as he usually does, and it’s hoped that those around him can link up well to ensure we offer a real threat in the final third.
The rest of the Milan XI is likely to be as expected, with Mike Maignan between the posts and Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez forming the backline.
Sandro Tonali and Rade Krunic will sit in front of them as the midfield pivot, while Ismael Bennacer will continue in a more advanced role as Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao support Giroud on the flanks.
Time will tell if there are any late concerns or if Pioli opts to shuffle his pack, but as seen in the graphic below from La Gazzetta dello Sport, that’s the way that the Milan boss looks to be leaning.
It’s going to be a difficult test given the quality of the opposition and what’s at stake, but we’ve done well at the Stadio Olimpico in recent years and have enjoyed some big moments against Roma in this fixture.
Pioli will be looking for a repeat this time round, as a win would certainly put us in a strong position to finish in the top four come the end of the season, while simultaneously dealing a big blow to a direct rival in that race.
