Serie A Preview: Milan vs Pisa – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Stadio San Siro units the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ Serie A conflict between early pacesetters Milan and rock-bottom Pisa. Will probably be the primary assembly between these two sides in any competitors since April 1991, when the Rossoneri claimed a slender 1-0 win away from dwelling.

Regardless of a irritating 2-1 dwelling defeat to newly promoted Cremonese on the opening weekend, Milan headed into Matchday 8 because the desk toppers. Massimiliano Allegri has steadied the ship since that underwhelming end result, with the 19-time Italian champions racking up 5 wins of their final six league outings (D1).

Star winger Rafael Leao stole the present in his first Serie A begin of the season as Milan fought again to beat an out-of-sorts Fiorentina 2-1 at San Siro final Sunday. Nevertheless, the VAR controversy overshadowed their fourth consecutive dwelling win, with Lega Calcio suspending referees Livio Marinelli and Rosario Abisso over a contentious penalty name that determined the match.

In stark distinction to Milan’s return to kind, newcomers Pisa are nonetheless ready for his or her first win of their first season again in Serie A because the early Nineties. Alberto Gilardino’s prices shared the spoils with fellow bottom-half strugglers Hellas Verona in a uninteresting 0-0 draw final weekend, registering solely their third level within the opening seven video games (D3, L4).

With the percentages closely stacked in opposition to them on this fixture, there’s a sense that Pisa are prone to head again south with little reward. Certainly, the guests will want a miracle to finish an extended 34-year wait for his or her first win in Serie A.

Match Preview

Milan

Allegri’s crew bounced again from a heartbreaking 0-0 draw at Juventus on the eve of the worldwide break, which noticed Christian Pulisic squander a second-half penalty. Nevertheless, Milan’s efficiency in opposition to Fiorentina flattered to deceive, despite the fact that they generated a commendable 1.98 xG. An improved exhibiting in opposition to the division’s basement boys is non-negotiable if Milan are to keep up their place on the high of the desk.

With Inter, Napoli, and Roma respiration down their necks, Milan can be out to increase their lead on the desk’s summit to 4 factors, a minimum of for a day. Pisa’s go to bodes nicely, contemplating the seven-time European champions have solely misplaced one among their 18 historic conferences with the Nerazzurri (W14, D3). That sole defeat arrived in 1981 when each groups competed in Serie B.

Regardless of Allegri’s status as a defensive-minded coach, Milan have netted a minimum of two objectives in seven of their final eight dwelling matches, highlighting the potential for one more free-scoring show. But, gradual out of the blocks, Milan have scored simply 36% of their league objectives within the first half (4/11). With that in thoughts, it’s unsurprising {that a} joint-high 5 of their seven Serie A video games have been degree at halftime.

Pisa

Talking of scoring, objectives have been at a premium for Pisa this season. Gilardino’s males have bagged the second-lowest three objectives within the opening seven matches. It’s additionally price noting that they’ve didn’t get on the scoresheet of their final 4 outings throughout all competitions, suggesting Milan’s sturdy backline might have a discipline day tonight.

Confidence stems from the truth that every of Pisa’s three league objectives this season got here on the street! Nevertheless, that’s hardly comforting when factoring in a dreadful run of three consecutive away defeats in home motion, together with a humiliating 4-0 defeat on their most up-to-date Serie A journey. Moreover, the guests have failed to search out the online in 4 of their final six away video games.

Given Pisa’s infamous scoring issues, Milan’s potential opener would possible put this encounter past the Nerazzurri’s attain. Including to this sentiment, they’ve didn’t rescue a single level from shedding positions this season, shedding all 4 league matches when conceding the opening purpose.

Group Information

Pisa’s go to will come too early for Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan, Ardon Jashari, and Pulisic. With Ruben Loftus-Cheek fighting a minor muscle subject, Samuele Ricci seems to be prone to register his second successive begin for Milan. On the intense aspect, Christopher Nkunku can be at Allegri’s disposal after lacking the Fiorentina conflict because of a toe harm.

In the meantime, Pisa can be with out Tomas Esteves, Calvin Stengs, and Mateus Lusuardi. Gilardino will put his aspect’s destiny within the palms of seasoned campaigner M’Bala Nzola. Signed from Fiorentina on mortgage, Nzola has netted simply as soon as this season.

Milan vs Pisa Potential Beginning Line-ups

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Leao, Gimenez.

Pisa (3-5-1-1): Semper; Canestrelli, Albiol, Caracciolo; Toure, Akinsanmiro, Aebischer, Marin, Leris; Moreo; Nzola.

Milan vs Pisa Prediction

This showdown has all of the makings of with Milan overwhelming favorites to say all three factors at San Siro. Allegri’s aspect have constructed vital momentum in latest weeks, and it’s nearly not possible to anticipate the southern minnows to knock them off their perch.

Prediction: Milan to Win

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