AC Milan welcome title-chasing AS Roma to San Siro later today and it is a must-win match for both teams for different reasons. AC Milan need a win today to keep their hopes of finishing in a European position alive while AS Roma need the win to remain in the hunt for the title after Juventus drew to Torino yesterday.
AC Milan are currently sixth in the Serie A table with 59 points, five points behind fifth-placed Atalanta and must avoid any more slips in the remaining fixtures to get the European position. With AC Milan chasing a fifth place finish, AS Roma are looking to close the gap to within seven points of league leaders Juventus.
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A win today will certainly still keep them in the title race with just three games remaining and history favours Roma in this match. AC Milan have won only one out of the last nine Serie A meetings against Roma drawing four and losing four. And the fact that AC Milan manager Vincenzo Montella has never won against Roma as manager in Serie A in 10 meetings will be another cause for concern.
AC Milan have a number of injuries and suspensions to address ahead of the match with midfielder Juraj Kucka banned and Alessio Romagnoli, Ignazio Abate, Giacomo Bonaventura and Luca Antonelli ruled out through injury.
AC Milan boss Montella said ahead of this crucial match against Roma that he is not entirely convinced by Roma striker Edin Dzeko.
"He's a very good player, his record speaks for itself, but I think I would pick a little guy like myself. They are more cunning. Everyone is talking about all sorts of players coming here. My ideal striker has to both score goals and work hard for the team. Some of the prices for players being floated around are illogical. You've also got to bear in mind that we'll have to outbid Juve, Napoli, Roma and Inter," ESPN quoted Montella as saying.
Roma also face a few injuries and suspensions to key players ahead of the match. Alessandro Florenzi is a long absentee while defender Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Kevin Strootman will miss out through suspension. Roma will be without two of their top players today.
Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said during a pre match press conference that everyone is beatable and also spoke about Francesco Totti.
"We are Roma. And for us everyone is beatable. We are expecting a tough match against a young and talented team, who in my opinion have done quite well this season. It will be a vital encounter for us, and we have to win it, ESPN quoted Szczesny as saying.
"For me it's been a great privilege to play with a player like him. I've been watching him on TV since I was a boy. There is also a responsibility, as a Roma player with Totti in the dressing room, to go out and play well. When his career ends it will be difficult for the club, but he will continue to do good work for us. We all know that he will always be one of us and that will help us.''
In the last five encounters between the two teams, AC Milan have won just one match while AS Roma have won two while two ended in a draw. Roma are the clear favourites ahead of this match with Milan just winning one match and Roma three in their respective last five matches. The capital club will also be looking to put the loss to Lazio last week behind them.
Where to watch
The Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma is set to start at 7.45 pm local time, 12.15 am IST and 2.45pm EST.
TV and live streaming information
INDIA: TV: Ten 1, Ten 1 HD. Live streaming: Sony Liv
ITALY: TV: Sky Sports 1 HD, Sky Calcio 1. Live streaming: Sky Go Italia
UK: TV: BT Sport 3. Live streaming: BT Sport Live
USA: TV: Bein Sports, RAI International. Live streaming: Bein Sports Connect
