Coppa Italia preview: AC Milan vs. Roma – Team news, opposition insight, stats and prediction | OneFootball

AC Milan will continue their conquest of another trophy on Wednesday night when they take on Roma at San Siro in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

Milan are coming into the game off the back of a rollercoaster last 48 hours, beginning with the derby draw against Inter and continuing with what might have been the most hectic deadline day in several years.

Sergio Conceicao’s first bit of silverware with the club came via a domestic cup competition and he would no doubt like to make lifting trophies a more regular thing, but a tough game awaits against a resurgent Roma.

Game date: Wednesday, February 4 Kick-off time: 21:00 (CET) Venue: San Siro Referee: Marco Piccinini (VAR: Fabbri)

Team news

As mentioned, the final part of the window in particular was chaotic, with Joao Felix, Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil all arriving. Not only that, but Noah Okafor, Ismael Bennacer and Kevin Zeroli departed the club, making it one of the most active deadline days in a while.

A lot has changed within the squad as a result, from the players who might now take a spot in the starting line-up to the system itself. Conceicao made it clear he wanted the late arrivals at Milanello on Tuesday afternoon, so they can be ready to play against Roma.

Milan come into the game having suffered derby heartbreak on Sunday night, too. The Rossoneri led until the 93rd minute after Tijjani Reijnders’ opener, but Stefan De Vrij fired in a last-gasp equaliser to earn the Nerazzurri a draw they probably deserved overall.

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In terms of injury news, the three absentees that remain from the last game are Alessandro Florenzi, Emerson Royal (both out for a while longer after severe muscle injuries) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The big question mark concerns how much of a role some of the winter additions will play, like Santiago Gimenez who could lead the line, Kyle Walker who impressed vs. Inter and Joao Felix too.

Reports have suggested that Conceicao will play a near full-strength team for the Coppa Italia clash, and it seems this will be the case.

Mike Maignan will start in goal expectedly, with Kyle Walker, Fikayo Tomori, Strahijna Pavlovic and Theo Hernandez making up the back four. Matteo Gabbia is ill, so he will likely not make the starting XI if he makes the game at all.

In midfield, Youssouf Fofana will come into the midfield for Ismael Bennacer, who departed after a bust-up at the weekend, whilst Yunus Musah retains his spot in the double pivot once again. Then, ahead of the duo, Tijjani Reijnders will operate.

Christian Pulisic will be chosen on the right, with Rafael Leao on the left, and they will be supporting Tammy Abraham once again.

There have been suggestions that Santiago Gimenez, Joao Felix and Riccardo Sottil can all feature in some capacity tomorrow evening too.

Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Theo; Fofana, Musah; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Abraham

The opponents

During our preview of the league game at San Siro at the end of December, we spoke to Samuel Bannister about what had to that point already been a chaotic campaign for Roma.

What adds a touch of irony is that the Milan 1-1 Roma fixture around five weeks back ended up being Paulo Fonseca’s last game in charge. He went into the game under a cloud with reports he was going to be sacked regardless, and indeed he was dismissed after failing to beat his former club.

Since Claudio Ranieri’s arrival in the middle of November, Roma have certainly picked up from being a bottom-half team to now being four points behind the Rossoneri (who have a game in hand, against Bologna).

Ranieri and Roma have an unbreakable bond that was always likely to get a resurgence from them, and they have lost just one of their last nine games in the league, including a derby win over Lazio too.

They also managed to secure a finish in mid-table in the UEFA Europa League after winning three, drawing three and losing too, with Conceicao’s former side Porto awaiting in the play-off round.

According to Sportsmole, Roma did have worries about Manu Kone and ex-Milan man Stephan El Shaarawy after both sustained problems in the 1-1 draw with Napoli at the weekend. However, they are fine and fit to start.

Suspended centre-back Gianluca Mancini will miss out on the game, which is good news given that he has a knack of scoring against the Diavolo, with Mats Hummels likely to return and take his spot.

Ranieri seems to have changed his system slightly against Napoli, and by all accounts, he should do the same against Milan it seems – staying with a back four.

Svilar, who has been phenomenal for the Giallorossi recently, starts between the sticks, with Rensch, Hummels, Ndicka and Angelino in front of him. The aforementioned Mancini would probably make a back three more likely though, it must be said.

A midfield three of Kone, Rossoneri-linked Cristante and Pisilli is also expected for the clash, with the January signing of Gourna-Douath likely not able to play.

Leading the line, Ranieri is expected to continue with Soule and El Shaarawy on the wings, though Artem Dovbyk, who was linked to Milan in the summer, should return in the place of Shomurodov.

Predicted Roma XI (4-3-3):

Photo by AC Milan

Head to head

There are only two teams Milan have played more in their 125-year history than Roma, which are Juventus and Inter. There have been 200 meetings with a record of 84 wins, 63 draws and 53 defeats, and a +57 goal difference.

Milan did the league double over the Giallorossi last season, winning 2-1 away (goals from Giroud and Leao) and 3-1 at home (Adli, Giroud and Theo scoring). However, Roma got some revenge by winning in the Europa League quarter-final, 3-1 on aggregate.

Prior to that Milan had gone nine games unbeaten against the team from the capital, and had only lost once away against them since 2016, a streak they will be looking to restart now.

Key facts and stats

➤ Both teams managed to score in 11 of the last 12 meetings between AC Milan and Roma.

➤ Roma have won two and drawn one of their last three encounters with AC Milan.

➤ Milan have scored one goal in four of their last five home assignments.

➤ Eight players were carded when AC Milan last played Roma in December.

➤ Correct score prediction: Milan 1-1 Roma

➤ Milan and Roma drew 1-1 when they last met in December and that was the Rossoneri’s third 1-1 draw inside their last five home matches.

Ones to watch

Starting with the visitors, Matias Soule could have a huge impact on the game if he is allowed to. So far in Rome, he has struggled to find his form after last season’s displays, but the talent is still there, and he may only need one chance to punish the Rossoneri.

Dovbyk is another player who needs no introduction. After links to the Ukrainian in the summer, there needs to be extra caution about his qualities and with him growing into Italian football a little more, he poses a real threat.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

For Milan, Tijjani Reijnders is in need of a good game. But he scored in the Derby? It is arguable that the Dutchman is much better in a deeper position, and he shows more in that role than he does in a more advanced position. If he is to continue in the role after the arrival of Joao Felix, a good performance against Roma is needed.

Yunus Musah also needs to show a good game we feel. After Zagreb, many were, understandably, very critical of the American, so he has to improve moving forward. With Warren Bondo joining, his position in the team could be lessened significantly, so he needs to use his minutes well.

Prediction

Neither team is allowing either to have an ‘easier’ game and will both name a near full-strength side. However, we think that the Rossoneri may just pip the Giallorossi. Conceicao’s focus is on the competition and falling at this hurdle would have significant issues for the season you feel.

Milan 2-0 Roma