Milan welcome Juventus to San Siro on Wednesday night in another huge test of their Serie A title qualifiers.
Stefano Pioli’s side have looked rejuvenated since football restarted last year and turned form into a real burden for what would be Milan’s first Scudetto since the 2010/11 season.
Juventus, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to retain the title they have held since 2011/12, with the team struggling to keep up with those at the top under Andrea Pirlo’s tutelage. A win is the key to closing the ten point gap with the Rossoneri.
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Here is 90 minspreview of the clash.
When is the kick-off? Wednesday January 6
What time is the kick-off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it played? San Siro
TV channel / live broadcast? Premier Sports 1, LiveScore app (UK), fuboTV (US)
Arbitrator? Massimiliano Irrati
Milan remain without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who continues to recover from a muscle injury. They also have to do without Ismael Bennacer, Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers, who are all also on the set with injuries.
Bennacer’s usual replacement, Sandro Tonali, was also sent off against Benevento on Sunday, adding to the Milan midfielder’s struggles. This means that Rade Krunic is likely to step in and partner with Franck Kessie. Simon Kjaer’s return to defense was a boost, however, and the 31-year-old will likely leave on Wednesday.
Juventus are also in trouble. Alex Sandro is the latest to test positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating, while forward Alvaro Morata is set to miss an injury against Udinese.
Juan Cuadrado will also miss a suspension, but the Old Lady is expected to welcome Giorgio Chiellini and Adrien Rabiot.
Milan: Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Krunic, Kessie; Castillejo, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Leao.
Juventus: Szczesny; De Ligt, Bonucci, Danilo; Kulusevski, McKennie, Rabiot, Ramsey, Chiesa; Dybala, Ronaldo.
Milan
Benevento 0-2 Milan (1/3/21)
Milan 3-2 Lazio (23/12/20)
Sassuolo 1-2 Milan (20/12/20)
Genoa 2-2 Milan (12/16/20)
Milan 2-2 Parma (12/13/20)
Juventus
Juventus 4-1 Udinese (3/1/21)
Juventus 0-3 Fiorentina (12/22/20)
Parma 0-4 Juventus (12/19/20)
Juventus 1-1 Atalanta (12/16/20)
Genoa 1-3 Juventus (12/13/20)
While Milan have shown they have the character to win even when the chips are low, facing Juventus under pressure is a different challenge no matter how weakened Juve are this season.
As good as Pioli’s side are, the Old Lady is able to find scoring prowess when they need them and will be aware that a win is key to recovering from Serie A.
Milan, however, look much more stable thanks to the return of Simon Kjaer at the rear and again have depth of attack, even without Ibrahimovic. The Rossoneri will prevail again.
Prediction: Milan 2-1 Juventus
