San Siro will host the encounter between Milan and Monza, the “two Ms” of the Serie A 2022/23 season, on Saturday evening.
Monza’s progress since the departure of Giovanni Stroppa has been noteworthy. En route to securing their three consecutive victories in the league before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Empoli last weekend, Monza beat Juventus, Sampdoria, and Spezia.
In the midweek, Monza had a game against Serie A rival Udinese in the Coppa Italia, while Milan had a midweek with no European or domestic competition. Thanks to what was a 3-2 win for Silvio Berlusconi’s club, the Biancorossi qualified for the next round of Coppa Italia. Now, it would be interesting to see whether the midweek match has taken a toll on Monza’s fitness or not.
Results in the last five matches in all competitions
Milan: W-L-W-L-W
Monza: W-W-W-L-W
Team News
Mike Maignan has received another blow to his World Cup hopes, having sustained a new calf injury. As confirmed by Stefano Pioli, the goalkeeper will make his comeback in 2023. He has joined the likes of Alessandro Florenzi, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Davide Calabria, and Alexis Saelemaekers on the treatment table. Ismaël Bennacer has got a fever and will miss the game against the Serie A newbies. Simon Kjær is back and should feature for the Rossoneri from the start.
As for Monza, Nicolò Rovella will be suspended after receiving a red card in the game against Empoli last weekend. Andrea Barberis should replace the Juventus loanee in Monza’s starting XI on Saturday.
Milan predicted XI vs Monza (4-2-3-1):
Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Pobega; Messias, Diaz, Rebic; Origi.
Monza predicted XI vs Milan (3-4-2-1):
Di Gregorio; Marlon, Pablo Marì, Caldirola; Ciurria, Barberis, Sensi, Carlos Augusto; Pessina, Caprari; Gytkjaer.
This will be Monza’s first-ever visit to San Siro in Serie A, and there is a good possibility that they could salvage something positive out of the affair. On the other hand, the Rossoneri are only three points off the top spot. The aim for Pioli’s men is to defend the Scudetto this season at all costs. If that is so, they need three points from this fixture.
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
