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On Friday night, after a decent break from Serie A action, AC Milan will travel to the Arena Garibaldi to face a struggling Pisa side.
It has been a long 10 days with no Milan action to fill the gap. However, the Rossoneri will return to Serie A action tomorrow night to face Pisa, who have just hired a new manager in
Oscar Hiljemark, who had a lot of praise for his opposition.
Both managers will hope to improve the result from earlier in the season.
Opposition insight on Pisa
➤ Manager: Oscar Hiljemark
➤ Form (all comps): D-D-L-L-D (most recent)
➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Stefano Moreo – 5
➤ Most assists (Serie A): Mehdi Leris – 3
➤ Injuries & suspensions: Marin, Albiol, Vural, Denoon.
In our preview for the first meeting back at San Siro in October, we recapped the business that Pisa had done upon their return to Serie A, with over €20m net spent.
In the winter they were quite active, signing Radio Durosinmi from Viktoria Plzen for €9m, Rosen Bozhinov from Antwerp for €5m and Filip Stojilkovic from Cracovia for €3m.
The biggest change though came recently, with former Milan striker Alberto Gilardino being given his marching orders. After beginning the second half of the season with two draws against Udinese and Atalanta, two heavy defeats against Inter and Sassuolo saw them make a change.
The Tuscans had not changed coach during the season since September 2022, when after just six rounds – in Serie B – Luca D’Angelo was recalled to replace Rolando Maran. On 3 February the club announced the new coach Oscar Hiljemark, formerly of Aalborg and Elfsborg.
His first game suggested that there has been a bit of solidity found at least as they drew 0-0 away from home against Hellas Verona last weekend. The fact remains though that Pisa have won one game out of 24 and have scored just 19 times. Only one team – ironically Verona – have scored less (18).
In terms of selection issues for the new boss, Marin will miss this game because he has to serve a suspension. Veteran defender Raul Albiol is also out, as is Vural, while Denoon remains in doubt for the moment.
After their draw with Verona, it appears Hiljemark will keep the squad relatively similar.
Scuffet starts in goal, behind Canestrelli, Caracciolo and Bozhinov, there is no need to change after a clean sheet last weekend, especially with them under pressure for most of the game.
Toure and Angori will again start on the flanks, though it is expected that they will be more defensively focused than creating a threat. Furthermore, the solidity remains in the middle with Aebischer partnering Loyola.
A front three will then be utilised once again, with Moreo and Durosinmi keeping their places. However, Tranmoni should replace Stojilkovic.
Predicted Pisa XI (3-4-2-1): Scuffet; Bozhinov, Caracciolo, Canestrelli; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori; Moreo, Tramoni; Durosinmi.
Predicted Pisa bench: Semper, Nicolas, Coppola, Calabresi, Leris, Hojholt, Cuadrado, Akinsanmiro, Piccinini, Meister, Iling-Junior, Stengs, Stojilkovic, Lorran.
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