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After doubts for months about when and even where the game would be played, AC Milan will finally host Como at San Siro tonight.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, in other eras you might have thought it was a classic David versus Goliath showdown. In reality, Como are now chasing a European spot for the first time in their history.
This shouldn’t worry the Rossoneri too much: Milan are the team that has picked up the most points against top-ranked opponents, 25 in 11 games, conceding just six goals. If the Scudetto were to be won solely through big matches, Massimiliano Allegri’s men would see their chances improve.
By beating Como tonight at San Siro, however, Milan would move within five points of league leaders Inter, keeping the race for the title alive. All with the Derby della Madonnina on the weekend of March 8th in sight.
Confirmation or revenge?
The first leg, played just over a month ago, sparked discussion among football fans everywhere. Como took the lead, then Milan came back and won at the Sinigaglia 3-1. The peculiarity? Como had more shots (18 to 7, 8 to 4 on target), hit the post more often, had the ball more and had more corners.
They lost, reviving the age-old debate between managers focused on style of play versus results. Regardless of football ideologies, it’s fair to say that Como still caused Milan considerable trouble, saved several times by Mike Maignan and then led by Adrien Rabiot, who scored a brace.
The absence of the French midfielder leaves Allegri feeling uneasy. In the middle, where Fabregas knows how to move the ball, Luka Modric will be without his trusted guide. Rabiot has played 17 league games, resulting in 12 wins without a single loss.
With him in the side, the Rossoneri’s average points per game in the league has risen from 2.21 to 2.41, a league-winning average. Without him, it has dropped from 2.21 to 1.71, an average that would keep Milan below the threshold to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Speaking of which, if the match against Como is a crucial turning point for the club’s hopes of chasing Inter, it’s also an opportunity to perhaps definitively secure one of the top four spots in the table. With three points, Milan would move 10 points clear of Juventus in fifth.
Over to you, Rafa
Everything hinges on tonight’s match, one which could also mark Rafael Leao’s return to the starting XI. After being benched against Bologna and Pisa, the Portuguese is battling with Nkunku for the starting spot.
It’s widely believed that for Milan to hope to catch up with Inter, they need Leao back at 100%. Rafa hasn’t scored since January 8th, when he netted in a 1-1 home draw against Genoa in the dying seconds.
Since then, the only real sign of life has been the assist for Rabiot’s goal in Como on January 15th. Leao continues to struggle with a groin strain, which is obviously affecting his form and performance.
After Friday’s match in Pisa he managed to train regularly, however, and Allegri may decide to put him back in the starting XI. He should be alongside Loftus-Cheek, with the other star player, Christian Pulisic, still on the bench.
Milan fans are hoping the two improve in the coming weeks, ready to form the attacking duo for the derby. Whether the March 8th game (date yet to be confirmed, but it could be played on Saturday the 7th) will be the super Scudetto clash or ‘just’ a derby, we should know by the end of the night.
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