Week 32: Roma – Milan

Milan, and Leao in particular, bounced back from recent points dropped to gain an important three points versus Lecce. The 2-0 win combined with Roma’s result – a loss at Atalanta – kept Milan hanging on to 4th place in the Serie A standings.

The final stretch of the season is now in full swing with a busy schedule matches in the coming month that includes the Champions League semi fianls of course. The Champions League opponent, Inter, have not shone in the league in recent weeks and sit in sixth place. Champions League tips has the semi finals derby difficult to gauge because both teams have struggled in the league while progressing in Europe.

As it turns out this week 32 match in Roma is a big battle for the top four spot. Fate has the two teams tied at 56 points. Paulo Dybala limped off at the end of Roma’s last match at Atalanta but he is not completely ruled out. Roma will need him if they are to keep their top European qualification spot. Milan will be missing Pobega and Ibra. The latter is pretty much out of the footballing picture unable to stay healthy. He would be well advised to take up a management post with Milan but Ibra is a lion and one never knows what will happen now or next season. Elsewhere on the pitch Kjaer could start in central defense and be the experienced leader for this now very crucial match. Tomori, Calabria and Theo will round up the defense behind Krunic and Tonali who in turn will be behind Bennacer. The more advanced role played by the Algerian has been a success and he will likely keep pushing Diaz to the right. Leao, and his 12 league goals so far, is of course on the left hand side. Giroud should be available again to play up front.

Andrea Belotti is likely to get a start for Roma and another familiar name to Milan fans will too. Stephan El Shaarawy will be meeting Milan again. Mourinho’s men had won three in a row prior to the loss against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Nerazzurri.

There is always more about this match and others on the forums.