AC Milan are looking to set things right with new manager Gattuso, as they take on last-placed Benevento away from home.
Date: Sunday, December 3rd, 2017.
Time: 12:30 CET.
Venue: Stadio Ciro Vigorito.
TV Guide: BT Sport 2 (UK), PremiumSport HD (IT).
Newly promoted Benevento struggle to find their footing in Serie A, while Milan start things fresh with a new manager in former player Gattuso.
THE TEAM
After a poor start to the season, Montella was sacked late last month and have now paved the way for Gattuso to make his debut on Sunday.
The former Milan midfielder is expected to make three changes to the XI that was fielded against Torino, including a formation change. Milan will play with a 3-4-3 tomorrow, which Gattuso used a lot during his spell as Primavera manager.
In defence, we will most likely see a trio consisting of Musacchio, Bonucci and Romagnoli. Zapata started against Torino, but Gattuso has opted to go with Musacchio, who arguably is the better player when in form, although Zapata has been brilliant lately.
Moving on to the midfield, Montolivo, Kessie and Rodriguez will keep their spots in the lineup, while Borini will replace Bonaventura at RWB, as the latter will play further up the pitch. Kalinic and Suso will join Bonaventura in the attack, leaving Andre Silva and Cutrone on the bench.
Likely AC Milan XI (3-4-3): Donnarumma; Musacchio, Bonucci, Romagnoli; Borini, Kessie, Montolivo, Rodriguez; Suso, Kalinic, Bonaventura.
THE OPPONENT
Benevento currently sitting at the bottom of the Serie A table with a whopping zero points in 14 games, only managing to find the back of the net six times so far this season.
Statistically, Benevento is the worst team in Europe’s top five leagues. The small team have already changed their manager, as Roberti De Zerbi took over a few weeks ago. With that said, they have been very unlucky so far this season, and you could argue that they deserve at least one win. Tomorrow’s game will be an important clash for their survival in Serie A, just like all of their upcoming games.
LAST TIME OUT
Milan only managed to claim one point at home against Torino, which resulted in the sacking of Montella. Overall, it wasn’t a terrible performance, but the Rossoneri didn’t manage to break down Salvatore Sirigu who was a wall for Torino in the goal.
For Benevento, on the other hand, they lost once again away to Atalanta, although not by much. AC Milan product Bryan Cristante scored the winner in the 75th minute.
KEY PLAYERS
For Milan, like so many times this season already, Suso will be the key figure, at least up front. At the back, we will have to see a Bonucci in good form. Safe to say he’s definitely improved since his two-match ban, after elbowing Genoa’s Rosi. However, looking at form, hopefully we will see another good performance from Fabio Borini down the right-hand side.
For Benevento, its hard to name one player as many of them haven’t performed and the one who has, Ciciretti, is out injured. Up front, Bonucci and co will have to look out for Swedish striker Samuel Armenteros, who joined Benevento this summer from Eredivisie.
