MILAN – FIORENTINA | Sunday 6pm
Stefano Pioli has been clear. He and the Milan players don’t like this league table at all. And after Napoli beat Udinese 3-2 in Saturday’s early kick-off, they will like it even less. Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri are momentarily at +11, an abysmal distance if you think that until a few days ago, at least until the defeat in the direct clash, the Rossoneri were within overtaking reach. In the meantime, Lazio, who have the same points as the Diavolo (30), and Juventus, who, thanks to their fifth win in a row, are only two points behind the Italian champions.
The Emilian-born coach has no choice, therefore, in the challenge against a team that represents an important piece of his past, both as a player and as a coach: Fiorentina. Against a Viola in slight recovery, the Milan of the first days of the championship will be needed, the one that did not squander too many points with the ‘small’ teams as it is doing now. The success obtained at the photo-finish against Spezia (2-1) was clearly a worrying alarm bell: in Cremona, in the midweek round, Leao and his mates offered one of the worst performances of the season, not going beyond a disappointing 0-0. On the other hand, the lily-headed team’s winning streak continues, as they extended their mini-series of three consecutive victories in Serie A by overcoming a tough Salernitana 2-1 at the ‘Franchi’. Regenerated by the new form, Vincenzo Italiano’s team now has 19 points, still too few to be able to think of making an assault on Europe, but they will be able to face AC Milan with greater serenity and tranquillity.
Milan-Fiorentina: the latest line-up news
Kouamé and Bonaventura
The Rossoneri coach will be reunited with two leaders and starters, Hernandez and Giroud, who will take their places on the defensive left flank and in the centre of attack after being suspended. However, the absence of Brazilian Messias, who will be unavailable with the Viola due to physical problems, creates some problems. Pioli could deploy Krunic in his place, thus giving another chance to De Ketelaere on the three-quarter, between the Croatian and Leao. In the midfield Bennacer should beat competition from Pobega.
In Fiorentina’s attack, Jovic returns from the 1′: the Serbian centre forward decided last Wednesday’s challenge against Salernitana and will start in front of Cabral. Behind him will be Ikoné, Barak and Kouamé, with Saponara ready to relieve one of the two outfielders. Gonzalez and Sottil won’t be called up, and former international Bonaventura will be joined by Duncan.
The prediction
Acc Milan have no choice after the Napoli victory: win to avoid finding themselves too far behind the Azzurri when the championship resumes. Fiorentina have everything to give them a run for their money, but the Rossoneri are slight favourites, not least because of the returns of Hernandez and Giroud, and will in any case avoid defeat in one of the most interesting matches of the round. It cannot be ruled out that even the Viola, who have returned to brilliance in ball possession, will score on at least one occasion.
The likely formation for Milan v Fiorentina
- MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Krunic, De Ketelaere, Leao; Giroud.
- FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodò, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Amrabat; Ikoné, Barak, Kouamé; Jovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
