FROSINONE v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

The 3-1 victory in the first leg had sent significant signals after a fluctuating period of results; the Stirpe fixture can certify the consistent growth of Coach Pioli's squad. Both coming off draws in the last Serie A matchday, Frosinone and AC Milan clash in Matchday 23 to give further momentum to their respective ambitions. Let's approach the 18:00 CET kickoff with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO                                                                                                                                                                        The Rossoneri are unbeaten in seven league games, and January brought 10 points out of the available 12. However, the draw at San Siro against Bologna, conceded in injury time, left a bit of a bitter taste. In Frosinone, AC Milan aim to resume their climb up the table immediately, trying to secure the full three points. With the closure of the transfer window and the departures of Pellegrino and Traorè, no surprises are expected in Coach Pioli's starting eleven, maintaining the 4-2-3-1 formation from the last three outings. Noteworthy is Bennacer's return to the squad, while Musah might be in place for Adli, giving him a rest. No suspensions, with Musah and Reijnders still on a caution.

"Tomorrow, we'll need to put on the best possible performance to return victorious from this away fixture," said Mr. Pioli in the pre-match press conference. "Frosinone play very well, and Di Francesco is doing a great job. I believe in my players, and the training sessions I see during the week convince me even more. We are focused on the present to make this season a positive one."

LATEST FROM FROSINONE                                                                                                                                                                       The four points collected in the two most recent matches - a 3-1 win against Cagliari and a 1-1 draw away to Hellas Verona - have lifted Frosinone's spirit. Previously, they had suffered five consecutive defeats in the league. The Benito Stirpe Stadium is where the Ciociari achieve their best results: 20 out of the 23 points in Serie A have been collected at home. Frosinone have employed various formations so far, maintaining an assertive attitude. Soulé is the man to keep an eye on, but there are several other interesting individualities. Some injuries will influence Di Francesco's choices, but the winter transfer market has brought in new options: from Bonifazi to Valeri, and Zortea to Seck.

"I don't believe AC Milan are in trouble," stated Eusebio Di Francesco on the eve of the match. "I thank Pioli for the compliments; I appreciate it because he has always emerged greatly from difficult times. Looking at the two teams, there wouldn't be a way to compete, but we must raise our qualities and give it a go. We are working a lot on consistency and staying in the game from the start to the end."

PRE-MATCH NUMBERS

• AC Milan are undefeated against Frosinone in Serie A (3 wins, 2 draws); only against Pisa (12), Crotone, and Lecco (both six) have the Rossoneri played more matches without ever losing in the top-flight.
• AC Milan have scored at least two goals in eight of the last nine league matches, with the exception of the home win against Sassuolo (1-0) on 30 December - an average of 2.4 goals per game. Overall, since early December, Coach Pioli's side have the most goals scored in the competition (22, at least two more than any other team).
• This will be a match between the team that has scored the most goals in the first half in this Serie A (Milan, 24) and the one that has conceded the most goals in the first half of play (Frosinone, 20).

WHERE TO WATCH FROSINONE v AC MILAN                                                                                                                                      In Italy, the match will be broadcast on DAZN. To watch Frosinone v AC Milan in a different country, you can consult the "Where to Watch Milan on TV" section under "International." On AC Milan's channels, you can also follow along with the Milan TV Matchday program: the live coverage will start at 17:00 CET until just before kickoff, followed by interviews and Mr. Pioli's press conference. From 17:55 CET, you can also catch the Live Reaction on AC Milan's Twitch channel. Don't miss the coverage on acmilan.com, AC Milan Official App, and official social media.

LATEST FROM THE SERIE A                                                                                                                                                                       Luca Pairetto is the designated referee for Frosinone v AC Milan. For Pairetto, this will be his 114th match in the Italian top division. Pairetto has reffed three previous matches for the Ciociari, nine with the Rossoneri, including the away fixture against Bologna (2-0 AC Milan, courtesy of Giroud-Pulisic) that opened the current season. Tolfo and Lo Cicero will assist him, along with the fourth official Cosso. Mariani will be on VAR, assisted by Sozza.

Matchday 23 of Serie A began yesterday - Friday, 2 February - with come from behind victory by Lecce against Fiorentina (3-2). Four matches are scheduled for this Saturday, 3 February: in addition to the Rossoneri's match, Empoli v Genoa and Udinese v Monza will take place at 15:00 CET, with Bologna v Sassuolo at 20:45 CET. The same on Sunday, 4 February: Torino v Salernitana (12:30 CET), Napoli v Hellas Verona (15:00 CET), Atalanta v Lazio (18:00 VET), and Inter v Juventus at 20:45 CET. The Monday, 5 February night fixture will be Roma v Cagliari (20:45 PM) to conclude Matchday 23.

The current Serie A table looks as follows: Inter 54*; Juventus 53; AC Milan 46; Atalanta* 36; Roma 35; Fiorentina and Lazio* 34; Bologna* 33; Napoli 32*; Torino* 31; Genoa and Monza 28; Lecce° 24; Frosinone 23; Sassuolo* 19; Hellas Verona, Udinese, and Cagliari 18; Empoli 17; Salernitana 12. (* = one game less; ° = one game more)

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