AC MILAN v SPEZIA: MATCH PREVIEW

It’s back to league action for AC Milan, who are aiming to bounce back in Serie A and put pressure on their rivals at the top. In midweek, the Rossoneri quickly put the defeat to Torino behind them and qualified for the Champions League round of 16 with a 4-0 victory over FC Salzburg at San Siro. And it’s on home turf that Coach Pioli’s men will face Spezia this evening. Despite the Aquilotti’s poor run of form, they remain a tricky side to play. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CET, and we’re getting you ready for it with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The match against Spezia arrives in the penultimate week before the World Cup break. The Rossoneri want to return to winning ways in the league after the setback in Turin, and, in order to do so, will be hoping to replicate their excellent performance against FC Salzburg in Europe. Due to the team’s Champions League exertions, Coach Pioli will probably be forced to rotate his squad, also bearing in mind the upcoming match against Cremonese on Tuesday. The Diavolo’s backline is likely to contain Gabbia, which will allow Kjær to rest, plus Kalulu, Tomori and Theo Hernández (who is one booking away from suspension). There’s competition in midfield, with Pobega and Vranckx hoping to break up the duo of Tonali and Bennacer. Supported by Messias and Leão on the flanks, Origi could return to the starting line-up, while De Ketelaere and Brahim Díaz are competing to get the nod behind the striker in the Rossoneri’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

LATEST FROM SPEZIA
The Ligurian side haven’t won in Serie A since their 2-1 comeback victory over Sampdoria on 17 September. In their last match, they suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina at home. Their away form makes for particularly poor reading: they’ve lost all six of their games on the road so far, also failing to score. Greek centre-back Dīmītrīs Nikolaou was sent off against the Viola, meaning he’ll be suspended for the match at San Siro. Hristov is likely to replace him. There are question marks over whether Bastoni will return from injury, while Ekdal, with all his experience, is set to be a key presence in the visitors’ midfield. In Luca Gotti’s 3-5-2 formation, Holm and Reca will occupy the wings, while Nzola will once again be selected up front.

“Every match represents an opportunity to pick up points,” said Gotti on the eve of the game. “We’re aware of how difficult every Serie A game is, including against the Italian Champions. However, we’ll go to Milan with the aim of doing our best and turning our poor away form around.”

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Michael Fabbri will be the referee for the match at San Siro. The 38-year-old is set to take charge of his 113th fixture in Serie A and ninth game involving the Rossoneri, who he last refereed when Pioli’s men beat Sampdoria 2-1 in Genoa on 10 September 2022. Milele and Vono will be the linesmen, while Zufferli will perform the role of fourth official. Banti, assisted by Marini, will oversee VAR.

Matchday 14 in Serie A kicked off with Udinese 1-1 Lecce on Friday evening. Today, in addition to AC Milan’s match against Spezia, Empoli v Sassuolo and Salernitana v Cremonese (both 15:00 CET kick-offs) are scheduled to take place, as is Atalanta v Napoli at 18:00 CET. Sunday will see Bologna v Torino be played at 12:30 CET, with Monza v Hellas Verona and Sampdoria v Fiorentina set to follow at 15:00 CET. Roma v Lazio (18:00 CET) and Juventus v Inter (20:45 CET) will bring the latest round of fixtures to a close.

This is the current Serie A table: Napoli 32; Atalanta 27; AC Milan 26; Roma 25; Lazio and Inter 24; Udinese* 23; Juventus 22; Torino 17; Salernitana 16; Sassuolo 15; Bologna and Fiorentina 13; Empoli 11; Monza 10; Spezia and Lecce* 9; Sampdoria 6; Hellas Verona and Cremonese 5. (* = one more game played)

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