Following the crucial mid-week win against Girona, AC Milan will be looking to build some momentum as they take on Parma on Sunday afternoon. For Sergio Conceicao’s men, it’s all or nothing as a win is needed.
Milan continued their positive run in the Champions League on Wednesday, beating Girona by the odd goal at San Siro. They have won five on the trot in the competition and could clinch a top 8 finish next week against Dinamo Zagreb.
Now, however, they will need to focus on Parma and a win is desperately needed. The situation in the standings is still dire and the Rossoneri simply can not afford to drop more points, even if Serie A were to get five UCL spots for next season.
The good news for Conceicao is that things are looking up on the injury front. Emerson Royal was added to the list, of course, but Davide Calabria and Filippo Terracciano are both available and will be able to cover that role until Kyle Walker gets into top shape.
In addition to Noah Okafor who was on the bench against Girona, Samuel Chukwueze has also recovered from his injury and this is indeed a boost. Granted that he hasn’t been in the best of form, not having Yunus Musah as the only right-wing alternative is certainly good.
Christian Pulisic came off the bench against Girona and has regained top fitness, or close to it anyway, and will start tomorrow. Adding the fact that Ismael Bennacer looks in much better condition now, the squad situation is the best it has been under Conceicao’s time at the club.
In the heart of the defence, Matteo Gabbia is expected to team up with Fikayo Tomori despite the good performance of Strahinja Pavlovic mid-week. This could have something to do with the mercato, or it’s merely a case of giving the Serbian some rest after playing his first game in a while.
A few reports suggested that Youssouf Fofana could get some rest for this game, but there have been conflicting updates on this front in recent hours. What’s clear is that Ismael Bennacer will be one of the starters, while Tijjani Reijnders will have the more advanced ‘No.10 role’.
In attack, there are absolutely no surprises as Pulisic and Rafael Leao will occupy a flank each, with Alvaro Morata in the middle. The Spaniard certainly needs to step things up after struggling to contribute with goals, hence why Milan are keen on signing Santiago Gimenez.
It should be noted that Fofana is one yellow card away from suspension, so he needs to be very careful if he starts. The derby against Inter is up next and not having the Frenchman in that game would be a huge blow, which perhaps could lead to him starting on the bench tomorrow.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernandez; Fofana/Musah, Bennacer; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Morata.
