Preview: Serie A Round 25 – AC Milan vs. Sampdoria

Milan are unbeaten in there last nine games in all competitions and are looking to continue that streak on Sunday, when they play Sampdoria at the San Siro.

The Team

Gattuso has pushed the players further and further each day in training and it’s starting to finally pay off, with back-to-back wins and multiple goals coming with it. However, it’s still clear that the team has work to do before they can give it a fair push for a top-four finish this season.

Goals from Cutrone, Rodriguez and Borini helped Milan get three points during the week and with a fantastic performance from them, we would expect to see a similar team once again for the weekend follow up against Sampdoria.

Only one change is expected, as Rodriguez is set to replace Abate in the lineup, meaning that Calabria will play on the right. The Rossoneri will also be forced to make another change, as Kessie is suspended for the game. 

Likely AC Milan XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Calabria, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Montolivo, Biglia, Bonaventura; Suso, Cutrone, Calhanoglu. 

The Opponent 

Sampdoria have been one of the stories of the season, and it’s largely down to their attacking style. It has brought them a lot of success, and it is showing no sign of stopping. The visitors have found the net in all of their last eight league games and hit the back of the net a total of 44 times so far this season.

However, Sampdoria have lost the most points from leading positions in Serie A this season (17) – AC Milan, however, have lost just four points when leading this term (only Napoli (0), have lost less)

Last Time Out 

AC Milan’s most recent game was away to Ludogorets in the Europa League, which they won by three goals to nil. In the league, last time out, Milan also won by big numbers as they beat SPAL 4-0, also away from home. 

Sampdoria, on the other hand, won 2-0 against Chievo Verona, who have been sitting uncomfortably at the bottom of the Serie A table. Last time Milan and Samp met, the latter won 2-0 thanks to goals by Duvan Zapata and Ricky Alvarez. 

Key Player

Gattuso will be looking to start Cutrone and continue his outstanding run of form of as of late, scoring last time out when they played Ludogorets in the Europa League, taking his goal-scoring tally up to 13 this season (all competitions). 

In fact, Patrick Cutrone (five) is the second youngest player to have scored at least five league goals in the Top-5 European Leagues this season. 

It will also be important to have Suso and Calhanoglu at their best for this clash, as Cutrone depends on their service. 

Prediction

Milan are in great form at the moment but shouldn’t take the next game lightly, as a win would help push them further up the table closer to a European spot. Three points will also bring them level with Sampdoria on points, but the Rossoneri will need to improve their goal difference to pass the guests. A win with four goals or more would see them leapfrog Sampdoria, which definitely is optimistic. 

With that said, it will be tough for the Rossoneri and in this case, we’re not sure what to expect from the scoresheet.