AC MILAN v ROMA: MATCH PREVIEW

Introducing our first big match of 2023. The San Siro stage is set for AC Milan v Roma, a real classic with great significance. The points at stake could give an important boost in the top areas of Serie A: AC Milan at 36, Roma at 30. We present this fixture, being played tonight at 20:45 CET, with our Match Preview:

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The Rossoneri want to keep their place in second, both beating their direct competitors and keeping a close eye on Napoli in the lead. Like in Salerno. There have been a few days to come back from the Arechi and prepare for San Siro, and it is no coincidence that there are no new recoveries, and the offensive department is the one to pay the most. The line-up could be exactly the same as the one last Wednesday: from Tătărușanu in goal to Calabria-Saelemaekers on the right flank, to Díaz - favoured over De Ketelaere - behind Giroud. Among the certainties, Tonali will have to try and stay out of the book.

"Roma are strong and well-rounded," said coach Pioli in his press conference on the eve of the match, "they combine game organisation with quality and physicality; they score a lot from set pieces. We must be determined, play with enthusiasm and energy".

LATEST FROM ROMA
The Giallorossi have just beaten Bologna (1-0) at home, joining Lazio in fifth place. They have already beaten Inter at San Siro this season. No serious injuries or suspensions apart from the one on the bench for Mourinho, who does not change the solid defence manned by Mancini, Smalling and Ibañez. Cristante leads in the midfield, but it is the attack - despite a fairly low goals-against average - that is the best and most dangerous unit: Dybala is ready to support Abraham, who was rested in the recent fixture at the Olimpico, then Pellegrini's position - whether more advanced or not in the 3-4-2-1 - should determine the choice of one between Zaniolo and Matić.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
The referee will be Davide Massa from the Imperia section. Assisting him will be Lo Cicero and Di Iorio as linesmen, Aureliano as fourth man and Irrati (assisted by Piccinini) on VAR. It will be his 181st Serie A match for the Ligurian referee: 16 previous matches in total with the Rossoneri and 24 with the Giallorossi. In both cases, the most recent - the only one in the current championship - dates back to last October and is a 2-1 away win (in Verona for the Rossoneri, in Milan for Inter against the Giallorossi).

Matchday 17 of Serie A already kicked off on Saturday with Fiorentina 2-1 Sassuolo, Juventus 1-0 Udinese and Monza 2-2 Inter. On Sunday, after Salernitana 1-1 Torino at 12:30 CET, at 15:00 CET Lazio v Empoli and Spezia v Lecce; at 18:00 CET Sampdoria v Napoli and at 20:45 CET AC Milan v Roma. On Monday, finally Hellas Verona v Cremonese, at 18:30 CET, and at Bologna v Atalanta, at 20:45 CET.

Here are the current standings in Serie A: Napoli 41; Juventus* 37; Milan 36; Inter* 34; Lazio and Roma 30; Atalanta 28; Udinese* 25; Fiorentina* and Torino* 23; Bologna 19; Lecce, Empoli, Salernitana* and Monza* 18; Sassuolo* 16; Spezia 14; Sampdoria 9; Cremonese 7; Hellas Verona 6. (* denotes game in hand)

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