Preview: AC Milan – A.S. Roma, Time To Score

AC MILAN and A.S. ROMA will face each other on Sunday night at San Siro stadium for a match that both sides must win.

The pressure on Milan reaches new level every round, especially on their coach, Leonardo, who has been given 180 minutes to secure his spot on the bench for more time, according to the Italian press, even though the board deny that and claim that Leo position will be staying put at least until the rest of the season.

The international break gave Leo more time to figure out what to do with his team. This is the second real task of Leonardo since week 2 when Milan were hardly damaged by the four goals of Inter, which influences the next match – a draw against Livorno.

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Milan have hard time in attack, scoring only six goals in all competitions. Clarence Seedorf states that the problems lie on the attack, and the facts are certainly backing his words, as Milan failed to score against two easy challenges Bari & Zurich.

The goal against Atalanta in the last round of the Serie A might inspires the team a bit, especially Ronaldinho, who said he’s going to work very hard, however, in Leonardo’s new system, ‘Dinho will have to persuade Leo to choose himself.

It has been reported that Leonardo will try out a new formation against Roma on Sunday, as he’s going to change the 4-3-1-2 system, which has been played since the promotion of Leonardo to a usual 4-4-2 formation.

The flanks will be much more in use in this system, and the likes of Marek Jankulovski, Gianluca Zambrotta and Ignazio Abate will probably take positions on the wing. Abate is favorite due to his speed, and might even be in use as a midfielder, while Zambrotta could return his role on right after spent few matches on left.

This is a busy week for AC Milan who will face also Real Madrid only three days later. This is Leonardo’s real task, the board is backing him and the fans really don’t expect for anything, so Leo will be eased to do what he wants, without being too criticized.

Marco Borriello and Thiago Silvio return to the available chooses, but Leo is likely to select Ronaldinho and Pato up front, while Silva will take positioning alongside Nesta, instead of Kaladze.

A victory against Roma will be a real surprise for Italy and the fans, but Roma didn’t open the season on the best side as well, so there is always a chance.

This is a whole different Roma. The Giallorossi changed their coach and their changed the formation. La Maggica are unbeaten under former Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri, having scored in all the Serie A matches.

Ranieri was very doubted, as for Roma appointment and as for tactical decisions. The Italian coach shifts a 4-4-2 formation too, but the most important striker and the heart of the team, Francesco Totti will not take place against Milan.

Totti have already scored six league goals in seven rounds and looks in-form, however, an injury has befallen on him and according to the Italian press, the forward cannot run more than 15 minutes.

Roma are wining, even tough playing not such a brilliant games. The first two rounds with Luciano Spalletti were tough, as they were placed last in league, but the arrival of Ranieri did only good for the team.

The full potential of Roma players is yet to be observed. Mirko Vucinic didn’t find the net this season, and although picked up some injuries, he runs like there is no tomorrow, as he’s very keen to score.

Stefano Chuka Okaka found his first breakthrough against CSKA Sofia and likely to start up front, however, he will be needed to get his top level to score at San Siro.

Roma have a good record against the Rossoneri. The home side have not won against the Rome team since 2006 – 8 matches: six in Serie A and twice in Coppa Italia. Roma have also won the last three games at San Siro against Milan, as last season the thriller end with 2-3 on the results board.

Besides injured-Totti, Marco Motta is missing. Coach Ranieri is likely to replace Totti with Mirko Vucinic, while goalkeeper Doni reached full fitness and will probably retake his position between the sticks.

PREDICTION

It’s really hard to believe that Milan will get something out of it. No one supports the Rossoneri while Roma are on the wave. Too hard at the moment. AC Milan 0 – A.S. Roma 2.

By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog