A week ago, Pulisic turned the tables on Lecce with a brace (2-3) and saved his coach Sergio Conceiçao from a potentially disastrous situation. Had Milan lost in Salento, it would have been their fourth defeat in a row, and Conceiçao might not have been able to avoid dismissal. However, Milan’s comeback, after going two goals down in the second half against Marco Giampaolo’s Giallorossi and risking another embarrassment, is not enough to say that the Rossoneri’s crisis is definitively over.
Theo Hernandez and his teammates, in fact, showed their usual limitations at the Via del Mare, proving that the impact of the former Porto coach – apart from the Super Cup victory – has not been what was expected after Fonseca’s turbulent tenure. And while there is already talk of his successor at Milanello – the name of Massimiliano Allegri continues to circulate insistently, which would be a return for the Livorno coach – the damage must be limited as much as possible in the last two and a half months of a season that could end with Milan out of everything. Yes, there is still the Coppa Italia, but the Rossoneri are only ninth in the league, eight points behind fourth place, and at this rate, qualification for the Champions League will remain a mirage.
Maximum attention, therefore, must be paid to Cesc Fabregas’ ambitious Como (who is also being targeted by Milan executives for next year). Last Saturday, the Larians wasted a huge opportunity against Venezia, allowing Eusebio Di Francesco’s side to equalize in stoppage time (1-1). However, safety now seems a formality for Como, who are just one point away from 30 points and have enjoyed some important victories in recent weeks against opponents of the caliber of Fiorentina and Napoli.
Milan-Como: the latest news on the line-ups
Conceiçao welcomes back Maignan and Pavlovic, who were suspended against Lecce. In any case, there will be quite a few changes to the line-up compared to the match against the Giallorossi. In midfield, Reijnders and Fofana will be back together, while Leao and Joao Felix should both return from the first minute. At the back, the only player certain of a starting place is Thiaw, while Loftus-Cheek will finally return to the bench after a long lay-off.
The only players unavailable for Como are Sergi Roberto and Azon. Otherwise, Fabregas has a full squad to choose from and will stick with his tried and tested front three of Diao, Nico Paz, and Strefezza.
Odds comparison
A goal is priced at 1.63 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.60 on Snai. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.65 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai.
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The prediction
It will be really difficult for Milan to keep a clean sheet against a Como side that already caused the Rossoneri great difficulties in the first leg, despite eventually losing 2-1. The stage is set for another evenly matched game, with the Larians looking to dominate possession and give Conceiçao’s side a hard time, as they are far from back to their best (they have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four games): at least three goals are expected at San Siro.
Probable line-ups for Milan-Como
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernandez; Reijnders, Musah; Pulisic, Joao Felix, Leao; Gimenez.
COMO (4-3-3): Butez; Smolcic, Dossena, Goldaniga, Valle; Caqueret, Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Nico Paz, Strefezza.