In a highly anticipated Coppa Italia quarter-final, AC Milan will host Roma at the iconic San Siro on Wednesday evening. With both teams struggling in Serie A, this cup tie represents a golden opportunity for domestic silverware, offering a much-needed boost to their respective campaigns.
⚽ Current Form & Recent Performances
AC Milan:
- Last Match: 1-1 draw vs Inter Milan (Derby della Madonnina)
- Serie A Position: 8th, trailing Inter by 16 points
- Recent Highlight: Dramatic Supercoppa Italiana victory over Inter last month
Despite their league struggles, Milan’s Supercoppa triumph showcased their resilience. However, their Coppa Italia record remains underwhelming, with their last title coming 22 years ago.
Roma:
- Last Match: 1-1 draw vs Napoli
- Serie A Form: Unbeaten in their last 7 matches
- Away Form: A major concern with only one win on the road this season
Since the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as interim manager, Roma has shown signs of improvement, but their inconsistent away form remains a stumbling block.
🗝️ Key Battles to Watch
- Midfield Duel:
- Youssouf Fofana (Milan) vs Leandro Paredes (Roma)
- Both are midfield maestros with excellent passing ranges. Their battle will determine the tempo of the game.
- Wing Showdown:
- Rafael Leão (Milan) vs Devyne Rensch (Roma)
- Leão’s pace and trickery will test Rensch’s defensive skills. If Rensch can contain him, Roma’s chances improve significantly.
- Attacking Threats:
- Paulo Dybala (Roma) has an outstanding record against Milan with 10 career goals.
- Santiago Gimenez (Milan), Milan’s new signing, could make his mark if given the opportunity.
📋 Team News & Lineups
Milan (Manager: Sergio Conceição)
- ✅ Returning: Youssouf Fofana (from suspension)
- ❌ Injured: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, Alessandro Florenzi
- 🔥 Debut Watch: Santiago Gimenez could feature in attack
Expected XI:
Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Musah, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Abraham, Leão
Roma (Manager: Claudio Ranieri)
- ✅ Fit Again: Manu Koné, Stephan El Shaarawy
- ❌ Suspended: Gianluca Mancini
- 🧱 Defense Boost: Mats Hummels likely to start after rest
Expected XI:
Svilar; Rensch, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Koné, Paredes, Pellegrini, Angeliño; Dybala, Dovbyk
📊 Head-to-Head & Historical Context
- Coppa Italia Quarter-Final Meetings: Last faced in 2004, with Milan emerging victorious over two legs.
- Recent Serie A Clash: 1-1 draw in December at San Siro (Reijnders for Milan, Dybala for Roma).
- Coppa Italia Records:
- Milan: 24 semi-final appearances
- Roma: 22 semi-final appearances
(Only Juventus and Inter have more)
🔮 Match Prediction
While Roma has shown improvement under Ranieri, their poor away record remains concerning. Milan, buoyed by their Supercoppa success and home advantage, should edge out Roma in what’s expected to be a tight, tactical battle.
- Prediction: Milan 1-0 Roma
- Goal Scorer Prediction: Rafael Leão
- Key Factor: Home support at San Siro and Milan’s recent momentum
🏆 What’s at Stake?
A win for either side secures a spot in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, bringing them one step closer to silverware and a potential Europa League qualification boost.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling encounter under the San Siro lights!
