ROMA v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

No other way to reach the semi-finals than to turn the result from the first leg and win it at the Olimpico. Roma v AC Milan draws ever nearer, the second act of the Europa League quarter-finals. We go again after the 0-1 at San Siro, the Giallorossi have two of the three results needed to go through, and the Rossoneri are tasked with keeping the dream alive for the fans and leaving the pitch with no regrets, making the most of every chance in the 90 minutes. Let's get into the themes of the game with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The Rossoneri will have to make a comeback to seal qualification and continue their European journey. The deficit is minimal after the 0-1 in the first leg, one goal alone would put the double-header back on level footing. The 3-3 scoreline against Sassuolo in the league last weekend has once again highlighted the offensive potential of AC Milan, but also raised the alarm about the defence. However, the defensive department will see Fikayo Tomori back after his suspension and Mike Maignan, but it's upfront that the Rossoneri coach has many choices and cards up his sleeve. Standing to attention, ready to do their bit from the first minute or later in the game.

Pioli spoke in a press conference:  "We will need to play a high-level game, tightening up the details with regards to last week. I have faith in my players, we revisited the game at San Siro and we know what we have to do on the pitch. I am sure that we will give it our all, we are aware that we only have 90 minutes to go through to the next round".

LATEST FROM ROMA
Defending the narrow advantage secured at San Siro, without losing authenticity. This will be imperative for De Rossi's side, who with the home support will want to secure a spot in the top four sides in Europe, from all competitions, for the third year running. Minimal essential changes are to be expected with respect to last weekend's starting line-up, the Giallorossi coach gave space to players who have had less minutes and rotated various men against Udinese, the game that was suspended at 1-1 just before the last 10 minutes after the sudden illness of N'Dicka, recovering from the scare. Bove is favourite over Aouar to come in for the only suspended player, Cristante.

Daniele De Rossi spoke in a press conference on the eve of the game: "They have to win this game, so they will treat it as a final battle, as it usually is when you have to turn a result around. We played well in the first leg, we deserved to have more goals, but AC Milan also had a good game. We need to put in a similar performance as the one at San Siro, we won't throw away our desire to score".

PRE-MATCH NUMBERS

• AC Milan have won three of the last four games against Roma at the Olimpico considering all competitions (1D).
• The Rossoneri have already won 2-1 away to Roma in Serie A this season - the last side to win two away games in the same year against the Giallorossi was Fiorentina in 2014/15.
• AC Milan has lost once one of the last six away games in European competitions against Italian sides (2W, 3D).
• Since the start of the Europa League playoffs, AC Milan is the side to have scored the most goals (12), as well as the side with the highest rate of 'Expected Goals For' (10.34) in the competition - Roma have conceded three goals despite an 'Expected Goals Against' of 6.1: the difference of -3.1 between goals conceded and xGa is the best recorded in the knockout phase of the competition so far.

WHERE TO WATCH ROMA v AC MILAN
In Italy, the match will be broadcast on DAZN, Sky and Rai. To watch Roma v AC Milan in a different country, you can check the "Where to watch AC Milan on TV" section under "Abroad." On the Rossoneri channels, the appointment is with Milan TV's Matchday: the live coverage will start at 19:45 CET until just before kick-off, followed by interviews and Mister Pioli's press conference. Don't miss the coverage on acmilan.com, AC Milan Official App, and official social media.

LATEST FROM EUROPA LEAGUE
90 massive minutes on four fields that host the Europe League quarter-finals second legs. Other than the Rossoneri clash, at the same time on Thursday 18 April, 21:00 CEST, there will be West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille v Benfica, and Atalanta v Liverpool.

REFEREE
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will officiate Roma v AC Milan. It will be his fifth game with the Rossoneri, previous games include the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund this season and the 1-1 against Napoli in Europe last season. Completing the match officials are linesmen Listkiewicz and Kupsik, and Raczkowski as fourth official; Kwiatkowski is on VAR, and Frankowski on AVAR.

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