Serie A Preview: Milan vs Pisa – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Stadio San Siro sets the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ Serie A clash between early pacesetters Milan and rock-bottom Pisa. It will be the first meeting between these two sides in any competition since April 1991, when the Rossoneri claimed a narrow 1-0 win away from home.

Despite a frustrating 2-1 home defeat to newly promoted Cremonese on the opening weekend, Milan headed into Matchday 8 as the table toppers. Massimiliano Allegri has steadied the ship since that underwhelming result, with the 19-time Italian champions racking up five wins in their last six league outings (D1).

Star winger Rafael Leao stole the show in his first Serie A start of the season as Milan fought back to beat an out-of-sorts Fiorentina 2-1 at San Siro last Sunday. However, the VAR controversy overshadowed their fourth consecutive home win, with Lega Calcio suspending referees Livio Marinelli and Rosario Abisso over a contentious penalty call that decided the match.

In stark contrast to Milan’s return to form, newcomers Pisa are still waiting for their first win in their first season back in Serie A since the early 1990s. Alberto Gilardino’s charges shared the spoils with fellow bottom-half strugglers Hellas Verona in a dull 0-0 draw last weekend, registering only their third point in the opening seven games (D3, L4).

With the odds heavily stacked against them in this fixture, there’s a feeling that Pisa are likely to head back south with little reward. Indeed, the visitors will need a miracle to end a long 34-year wait for their first win in Serie A.

Match Preview

Milan

Allegri’s team bounced back from a heartbreaking 0-0 draw at Juventus on the eve of the international break, which saw Christian Pulisic squander a second-half penalty. However, Milan’s performance against Fiorentina flattered to deceive, even though they generated a commendable 1.98 xG. An improved showing against the division’s basement boys is non-negotiable if Milan are to maintain their position at the top of the table.

With Inter, Napoli, and Roma breathing down their necks, Milan will be out to extend their lead at the table’s summit to four points, at least for a day. Pisa’s visit bodes well, considering the seven-time European champions have only lost one of their 18 historical meetings with the Nerazzurri (W14, D3). That sole defeat arrived in 1981 when both teams competed in Serie B.

Despite Allegri’s reputation as a defensive-minded coach, Milan have netted at least two goals in seven of their last eight home matches, highlighting the potential for another free-scoring display. Yet, slow out of the blocks, Milan have scored just 36% of their league goals in the first half (4/11). With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that a joint-high five of their seven Serie A games have been level at halftime.

Pisa

Speaking of scoring, goals have been at a premium for Pisa this season. Gilardino’s men have bagged the second-lowest three goals in the opening seven matches. It’s also worth noting that they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet in their last four outings across all competitions, suggesting Milan’s sturdy backline could have a field day tonight.

Confidence stems from the fact that each of Pisa’s three league goals this season came on the road! However, that’s hardly comforting when factoring in a dreadful run of three consecutive away defeats in domestic action, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat on their most recent Serie A travel. Furthermore, the visitors have failed to find the net in four of their last six away games.

Given Pisa’s notorious scoring problems, Milan’s potential opener would likely put this encounter beyond the Nerazzurri’s reach. Adding to this sentiment, they’ve failed to rescue a single point from losing positions this season, losing all four league matches when conceding the opening goal.

Team News

Pisa’s visit will come too early for Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan, Ardon Jashari, and Pulisic. With Ruben Loftus-Cheek struggling with a minor muscle issue, Samuele Ricci looks likely to register his second successive start for Milan. On the bright side, Christopher Nkunku will be at Allegri’s disposal after missing the Fiorentina clash due to a toe injury.

Meanwhile, Pisa will be without Tomas Esteves, Calvin Stengs, and Mateus Lusuardi. Gilardino will put his side’s fate in the hands of seasoned campaigner M’Bala Nzola. Signed from Fiorentina on loan, Nzola has netted just once this season.

Milan vs Pisa Potential Starting Line-ups

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Leao, Gimenez.

Pisa (3-5-1-1): Semper; Canestrelli, Albiol, Caracciolo; Toure, Akinsanmiro, Aebischer, Marin, Leris; Moreo; Nzola.

Milan vs Pisa Prediction

This showdown has all the makings of with Milan overwhelming favorites to claim all three points at San Siro. Allegri’s side have built significant momentum in recent weeks, and it’s virtually impossible to expect the southern minnows to knock them off their perch.