MONZA v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

Utilising the enthusiasm generated from the previous two games in Serie A and the Champions League to keep the run going is the aim for Stefano Pioli's Rossoneri, as matchday 23 approaches. The victories over Torino and Tottenham have given the Club and the squad a lift, and the trip to face Monza will be another important test to keep building towards the season objectives. The fixture at Brianteo will be the first of its kind, too, with the sides facing each other for the first time in the top-flight in Monza. With the 18:00 CET kick-off fast approaching, here's our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The recent successes have allowed the Rossoneri to work quietly and confidently ahead of the upcoming game. Beating both Torino and Tottenham 1-0 at home, the fixture list now presents Coach Pioli's men the chance to extend their positive run of results against Monza. The starting eleven isn't expected to bring up any significant changes or surprises from the wins over the English side and the Granata. With no suspensions, the list of unavailable players for the evening match includes Bennacer, Calabria, Florenzi and Maignan. Several, however, are cautioned: among those available at the Brianteo are Giroud, Kjær, Leão and Rebić. Confirmation is expected for a Rossoneri 3-4-3, in which Tomori could line up alongside Kalulu and Thiaw.

"We are going into this one off the back of two very good games, but we will have to be careful" Coach Pioli said in a press conference. "It was a good week, but we will play a difficult match, against a team that is in good shape: we will need the best possible performance to win also because it's the league that will get us into the Champions League next year. Monza, Atalanta and Fiorentina will be important fixtures: only after will we start to think about the match in London"

LATEST FROM MONZA
Still unbeaten in 2023, Palladino's Biancorossi are currently one of the in-form teams. In the new year, an away win to Juventus and a home draw against Inter certainly stand out. The 1-0 win at Bologna last week showed the main characteristics that Monza possess: they are solid and clinical. A wide range of choices available for Coach Palladino in view of the match against the Rossoneri, despite the important absence of Carlos Augusto. Pessina - in the midfield duo with Rovella or Sensi, or in the CAM role - and Petagna, a central forward in front of Caprari and Mota Carvalho, are favourites to start. In the 3-4-2-1, Donati is likely to be lined up on the right, while Ciurria should reposition himself on the opposite side. Marlon and Caldirola will battle it out for a spot, with Izzo and Pablo Marí completing the three-man line.

"We face a great team, full of champions, who we will try to give a hard time," said Raffaele Palladino on the eve of the match. "You always have to be ambitious, we try to play everyone with desire. In the first leg, it was a good match with a few individual mistakes, but against Bologna we did better than months before. I fear AC Milan, well coached by a very good coach and a very good person like Stefano Pioli".

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Antonio Rapuano will referee the game. It will be his 22nd top-flight fixture in charge, and the second involving the Rossoneri. His one and only game was the 0-0 draw in Cremona last November. Assisting him will be Di Iorio and Scatragli, together with Fourth official Marcenaro. Marini is on VAR duty, and will be assisted by Doveri.

Matchday 23 opened up on Friday with Sassuolo 0-2 Napoli. As well as the Rossoneri on Saturday, there's also Sampdoria v Bologna at 15:00 CET and Inter v Udinese at 20:45 CET. On Sunday, Atalanta v Lecce kicks off the day at 12:30 CET, followed by Fiorentina v Empoli and Salernitana v Lazio at 15:00 CET, Spezia v Juventus at 18:00 CET and Roma v Hellas Verona at 20:45 CET. Monday night's game is Torino v Cremonese at 20:45 CET.

Current Serie A standings: Napoli* 62; Inter 44; Atalanta, Roma and AC Milan 41; Lazio 39; Torino and Udinese 30; Juventus, Monza and Bologna 29; Empoli 27; Lecce, Fiorentina and Sassuolo* 24; Salernitana 21; Spezia 19; Hellas Verona 17; Sampdoria 11; Cremonese 8. (* = played one game more)

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