Verdict: Draw
Finest odds:
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
AC Milan and Fiorentina discover themselves locked in a fierce battle for European spots, making their Saturday evening showdown at San Siro a pivotal fixture within the Serie A race.
Remarkably, Fiorentina arrive in Milan with a factors benefit over their hosts for the primary time since December 2017, including further intrigue to an already high-stakes encounter. With simply 4 factors separating the 2 groups, the Viola will likely be wanting to widen the hole, whereas Milan search to shut the space and reinforce their very own continental ambitions.
AC Milan
Stepping away from their struggles within the league, Milan performed out a 1-1 draw within the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final towards Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Though the Rossoneri prolonged their unbeaten run towards their metropolis rivals to 4 matches, they fell wanting securing a win, as Tammy Abraham’s opener was canceled out by a thunderous equalizer from former Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
Underneath-pressure coach Sergio Conceicao had his captain to thank for holding the tie stage forward of the second leg later this month, with ‘Magic’ Mike Maignan producing a number of essential saves at San Siro.
Earlier than dealing with Inter once more of their fifth and remaining Derby della Madonnina of the season, Milan should try to salvage their faltering Serie A marketing campaign, as they sit ninth within the standings—9 factors behind the essential top-four spots.
Consequently, they have to battle previous rivals reminiscent of Juventus, Lazio, Bologna, Roma, and this week’s opponents to safe a useful European berth.
Following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to title-chasing Napoli, the Rossoneri have now suffered 4 losses in six league matches underneath a single supervisor for the primary time since 2019, throughout Marco Giampaolo’s transient tenure.
Like the present Lecce boss, Conceicao’s stint in Milan seems short-lived, with the membership’s board, guided by particular advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, already planning one other teaching change for the summer time.
Milan have gained every of their final 4 residence conferences with Fiorentina, however even a morale-boosting victory this week would nonetheless go away them a degree behind their guests with solely seven rounds remaining—making Champions League qualification appear out of attain.
Workforce Information
Nonetheless looking for his supreme attacking setup, Sergio Conceicao should resolve between Santiago Gimenez and Tammy Abraham to guide the road on Saturday, with the English ahead’s objective towards Inter giving him a slight edge to begin.
Rafael Leao and Alex Jimenez have been deployed out huge in midweek, however the latter is now suspended, providing alternatives for Riccardo Sottil or Samuel Chukwueze – alternatively, Christian Pulisic may shift over to the proper.
Though Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Royal stay unavailable, U.S. worldwide Yunus Musah is predicted to get well from the sickness that saved him out of Wednesday’s derby and compete for a spot in midfield.
Fiorentina
After securing a 2-1 victory in October’s reverse fixture, Fiorentina now have the prospect to finish a league double over Milan for the primary time in 24 years, as they give the impression of being to keep up stress on each Rome golf equipment positioned simply forward of them within the standings.
Both aspect of the worldwide break, the Viola have overcome a key rival within the top-four race, bouncing again from a poor spell of type that had threatened to derail their home ambitions.
They first swept apart long-time adversaries Juventus earlier than defeating Atalanta BC two weeks later, with star striker Moise Kean netting the decisive objective by dispossessing an opponent at midway, sprinting clear, and ending clinically.
Having already amassed 51 factors, one other victory at San Siro would see Fiorentina attain their highest tally at this stage of a season since 2016—a marketing campaign by which they finally secured fifth place.
With a Convention League quarter-final spot already secured, Raffaele Palladino’s males nonetheless have lots at stake, as they search to go one step additional in UEFA’s third-tier competitors and eventually convey residence the trophy.
The Tuscan outfit will face Slovenia’s NK Celje within the first leg of their last-eight tie subsequent week, however first, they purpose to take down Milan for a second time this season.
Workforce Information
After lacking the conflict with former membership Atalanta on account of a minor knee harm, Fiorentina wing-back Robin Gosens is hopeful of returning to San Siro, the place he beforehand performed for Inter.
The Viola stay with out Andrea Colpani, however except for his absence, Palladino ought to have a completely match squad at his disposal.
Main the road as soon as once more, Moise Kean is about to mark his 2 hundredth look in considered one of Europe’s prime 5 leagues. The Italian ahead will likely be focusing on his twentieth Serie A objective contribution of the season, having already scored 16 instances and supplied three assists.
Conclusion
Solely one of many final 14 league conferences between these groups has resulted in a draw, however one other stalemate appears possible this weekend, with Milan set to falter as soon as extra.
Fiorentina have discovered their rhythm, recording back-to-back clear sheets and claiming full factors towards two top-four rivals, placing them in a robust place to earn not less than a draw at San Siro.
Verdict: Draw
Finest odds:
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
