All the things is on the road for outdated foes Roma and Milan as they sq. off in a ‘make or break’ Serie A conflict at Stadio Olimpico. Sunday’s mouth-watering showdown within the capital has all of the makings of a season-defining battle, with European soccer and satisfaction hanging within the steadiness for each golf equipment.
Roma’s grip on the ultimate Champions League qualification spot loosened earlier this week as Atalanta narrowly edged them in Bergamo. A gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat knocked the Giallorossi down from a exceptional 19-game unbeaten league streak. Extra importantly, it left them some extent adrift of fourth-placed Juventus.
Milan did Roma a favor at Stadio San Siro by coming from behind to beat Bologna 3-1. But, Claudio Ranieri’s fees failed to carry up their finish of the discount. With 5 groups scrambling for the coveted fourth place and solely two factors separating Juventus and seventh-placed Bologna, it’s useless to emphasize the importance of returning to the win column.
One other loss would seemingly see Roma drop out of the European qualification zone altogether and hand Milan a considerable enhance of their faltering pursuit of a top-five end. Sergio Conceicao did not win his second piece of silverware in control of the Rossoneri in midweek Coppa Italia motion as Bologna bested his group on the Olimpico.
Dan Ndoye’s second-half strike consigned Milan to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat, ending their dream of profitable a primary cup title since 2003. Furthermore, that outcome in all probability squandered Milan’s greatest probability to safe European soccer for subsequent season, placing extra strain on the guests to take three factors in Rome.
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Roma
Eager to bounce again from Monday’s stoop on the Gewiss Stadium, Roma return to the Olimpico, the place they’ve been in formidable kind. After a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta in early December, they’ve launched into an attention-grabbing 11-game unbeaten league streak on this floor (W9, D2), even defying the absence of standout ahead Paulo Dybala.
But, scoring has been a problem since dropping the Argentine celebrity to harm. That’s maybe greatest illustrated by Roma’s dismal run of netting exactly one objective in 4 consecutive residence league outings, although three have ended 1-0. Ranieri in all probability wouldn’t thoughts one other tight victory, particularly given Roma’s long-standing struggles on this match-up.
A 1-1 attract December’s reverse fixture prolonged Giallorossi’s winless streak in opposition to Milan in Serie A to 10 video games (D4, L6). Certainly, you’d want to return to October 2019 for the final time Roma obtained the higher of the Rossoneri in top-flight motion. Due to this fact, they have to cope with a large psychological drawback right here.
Milan
There’s no margin for error within the final two rounds for Milan as Forbes takes inventory of the membership’s fast future after the Coppa Italia heartache. Maurizio Sarri has emerged as the leading candidate to take over from Conceicao at the end of the season. Nonetheless, a season with out European soccer could be a devastating blow for the San Siro outfit.
Taking part in on the highway in opposition to one of many division’s most in-form groups could possibly be a blessing in disguise. Certainly, Milan have racked up 4 victories throughout their final 5 Serie A away video games, together with three wins on the trot by way of a mixed rating of 8-1. Nonetheless, Conceicao’s males could be well-advised to not get forward of themselves.
That’s as a result of they’ve solely gained one away league encounter in opposition to groups beginning this spherical above them (D1, L4). And it’s price noting that the lone success in that unenviable run got here in opposition to Inter at San Siro. Indicators usually are not encouraging, however Milan can take confidence from drawing first blood in 9 of their final ten conferences with Roma in Serie A.
Workforce Information
Along with Dybala, Roma will probably be with out their captain, Lorenzo Pellegrini, who sustained a season-ending muscle harm. With the Italian midfielder out, Ranieri might flip to Eldor Shomurodov to extend his aspect’s firepower. The Uzbek ahead will seemingly play a assist position to top-scorer Artem Dovbyk.
However, Milan can not name upon winter arrivals Riccardo Sottil and Warren Bondo. Nonetheless, the remainder of Conceicao’s morally-hit squad is match and prepared, together with Santiago Gimenez, who might exchange Luka Jovic on the coronary heart of the guests’ 3-4-2-1 formation.
Roma vs Milan Potential Beginning Line-ups
Roma (3-4-1-2): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Cristante, Kone, Angelino; Soule; Shomurodov, Dovbyk.
Milan (3-4-2-1): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Fofana, Reijnders, Hernandez; Pulisic, Leao; Gimenez.
Roma vs Milan Prediction
Milan’s indomitable league run in opposition to Roma places them in pole place to take three treasured factors within the capital. Regardless of a disjointed midweek efficiency within the Coppa Italia showpiece, the guests may reap the benefits of Roma’s scoring woes to make it 5 league wins in a row for the primary time this time period.
Prediction: Milan to Win
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