Massimiliano Allegri is looking for confirmation with his Milan side, which he has returned to coach after more than 10 years and two (highly successful) spells at the helm of Juventus. This time, the Livorno-born coach will also be on the bench, having been suspended last Sunday against Bari in the Coppa Italia. The Rossoneri got off to a good start: 2-0 against the Apulians, who were beaten at San Siro by goals from Leao and Pulisic.
An immediate clean sheet, then, for a team that, compared to last year, will have to rediscover its defensive solidity, which is also why the club has chosen to rely on an experienced and pragmatic coach like Allegri, called upon to reverse the trend after a disappointing season that ended in eighth place and out of European competition. Not playing in them, however, could be a significant advantage over their direct competitors: that’s why it’s essential to get off to a good start, considering the manageable schedule in the first four matchdays. This weekend, San Siro will host newly promoted Cremonese, who have returned to Serie A after two years in purgatory. To avoid immediate relegation, as happened in 2023, the Grigiorossi have enlisted the services of Davide Nicola, an expert in survival. The transfer market has also been ambitious, with many players arriving in Cremona during this window, from Baschirotto to Sanabria, as well as Bondo, Zerbin, Terracciano, and Pezzella. Nicola expects more than in the Coppa Italia match against Palermo, which ended in a 0-0 draw and was decided on penalties a week ago.
Milan-Cremonese: the latest news on the lineups
Allegri will most likely stick with the same formation as last Sunday: a three-man defense consisting of Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic, a five-man midfield with Saelemaekers and Estupinan on the wings, and two strikers. Mexican center forward Gimenez will play alongside Pulisic in place of the injured Leao. Jashari and Modric will remain on the bench and are expected to come on during the game.
Nicola has opted for a traditional 4-4-2 formation to unsettle the Rossoneri: in attack, alongside De Luca, Paraguayan Sanabria, formerly of Torino, is set to make his debut. Bondo, who arrived from Milan, will be working hard in midfield, while another former Milan player, Terracciano, will be playing at right-back.
Odds comparison
Milan’s victory is quoted at 1.33 on Lottomatica and 1.35 on Snai. The “No Goal” sign is quoted at 1.80 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.83 on Snai.
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The prediction
We expect a performance very similar to that against Bari from Milan, who will try to exploit the difficulties of a Cremonese team still under construction (and which has always lost its opening games in Serie A, 8 out of 8). The Rossoneri, on the other hand, seem to have already found their identity and, even without the injured Leao, should be able to secure their first win while keeping a clean sheet.
Probable lineups for Milan-Cremonese
MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Fofana, Estupinan; Gimenez, Pulisic.
CREMONESE (4-4-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti, Pezzella; Zerbin, Bondo, Grassi, Vandeputte; Sanabria, De Luca.
Will Milan manage to keep a clean sheet?
Yes (80%, 63 Votes)
No (20%, 16 Votes)
Total Voters: 79
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0