AC Milan vs. Roma - Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 - 21:00 (CET) - Coppa Italia Quarter-Finals

danilo1899

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Let's wash off that bitter taste in our mouths, no return leg on this one, straight to penalties if no one wins it in 90'.

Streams:

The following preview is an excerpt from sempremilan, written by good ol' Ollie Fisher.

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

Team news​

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.

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.

Milan-Attack.jpg


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):

milan roma reijnders and teammates


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.

Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan


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.
 

Ryo

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Quarterfinals is a one-off match.
Pretty sure it can't end 1-1.
 

Massaro94

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Play the reserves
 

Raghav

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You guys are making it out to be as if this one game will injure all our players 😂

The semi final second leg is more than 2 months away on 23 April. We will have one more game before that…

We may not even be in champions league by that point..

Trophies are important and this is the only one we can win now.

If some one has a niggle or is tired don’t risk them but don’t just fucking bend over and take a Loss 😂
 

Pingu

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You guys are making it out to be as if this one game will injure all our players 😂

The semi final second leg is more than 2 months away on 23 April. We will have one more game before that…

We may not even be in champions league by that point..

Trophies are important and this is the only one we can win now.

If some one has a niggle or is tired don’t risk them but don’t just fucking bend over and take a Loss 😂
It's @Massaro94 entertaining the idea. Take no stock in it.
 

bullard

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We would play max 3 games apart from today's in Coppa. I don't get the "play reserves, this match is not important" comments. Fuck no. This season is already a disaster, and our top4 placement in the league is not really depending on playing 3 extra matches. Outside of prestige, this is an opportunity to further boost our morale. And don't forget, if we want to qualify for the next Super Cup, we need to make it to the finals in the Coppa, since we won't be in top2 in Serie A.

And winning the Super Cup financed 50% of our winter mercato. So even on a financial level, this is a must win game. But fuck financials, we as fans deserve trophies. The super cup win is the highlight of our season so far, we will not win Serie A this year. Give us Coppa Italia as well please. I don't even remember when was the last season we won 2 trophies.
 

WILL2K

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I agree that we should take this competition seriously. We do not have the luxury or excuse of the good old days where we can afford to let this slide because we have been winning CLs. We need to turn our players into winners and bring in the champion mindset. We start small, Supercoppa Italia was a step in the right direction, Coppa Italia and CL should be our targets, apart from the 4th/5th place.

And I am sure we all fancy the chance to knock Inter out of the semis should we meet them. Over a 2-legged tie, I fancy our chances especially now that we have new weapons they are not used to. We pretty much know their players, the key ones at least, inside out.
 

kevin_dk

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Morale is low and we must make it rise again. Reserves getting obliterated by Roma who is probably taking the match seriously would not help with the low morale.

Need to match your opponent's seriousness in a match. Professionalism and respect.

If we defend like we did against Inter we will do just fine.

Forza Milan.
 

MRAMG7

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Joao Sottil and Gimenez are called up but not starting apparently. Hopefully we can see some minutes from them!
 

forward

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You guys are making it out to be as if this one game will injure all our players 😂

The semi final second leg is more than 2 months away on 23 April. We will have one more game before that…

We may not even be in champions league by that point..

Trophies are important and this is the only one we can win now.

If some one has a niggle or is tired don’t risk them but don’t just fucking bend over and take a Loss 😂
Coppa is useless.

The prize money for winning Coppa is 5M.
While we already made 50-60M in the Champions League, without even counting the playoff games.

Enough said.
 

Hitchens

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Leao rested for Serie A, smart. I read somewhere that he wasn't 100%, but not injured.

I also read that this was true of Pulisic as well.

Pulisic should get some rest as well, I worry we pushed him too soon.
 

Graeco

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Leao rested for Serie A, smart. I read somewhere that he wasn't 100%, but not injured.

I also read that this was true of Pulisic as well.

Pulisic should get some rest as well, I worry we pushed him too soon.
We did push him too soon. But, we've also seen the drop off that happens when Chuk takes his place.
 

Myalon

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I don't really understand the choices of Concecaio. He puts Abraham holder he demonstrates nothing without giving a chance to Jovic capable of scoring.

Now it's Pavlovic holder in defense when he did not consider it ...

Bennacer played holder by being not really efficient and hearing you later he did not get along with the coach.

Calabria, Bennacer, Okafor he took the head regularly, barely arrived.
He must also calm down and put a regular team his repetitive changes without real consistency are incomprehensible
 

Hitchens

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Wrong thread.
 
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Stitches

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Need jimenez and saele next to each other
 

Ashish

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Hitman

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judging from that starting lineup, I think it's going to be closer to a 442 than a 433. curious to see if Pulisic is going to play as LW or second striker.
 

Ashish

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Pingu

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Could never do what Pingu does

Ppl asking for links 1 post apart from his post w the links would send me on a killing spree :lol:
That's why I ignore @Qaas joining 20 mins late asking for streams. Bitch should know where to find them by now :o
 

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Ten minutes.
 

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