View from the Opposition: The quick-fire scouting report on AC Milan

Milan-based Tuttosport correspondent Federico Masini tells us what has changed during the summer at AC Milan and how Vincenzo Montella will set up his team against Roma on Sunday.

How have AC Milan changed compared to last year and what are the objectives for the season?

"Milan have changed hugely because the club itself has changed following the takeover by Chinese owners: Li Yonghong is now the president, Marco Fassone is managing director, while Massimiliano Mirabelli is the sporting director. They have tried to stamp their imprint on the club and make a clear break with the past, which has affected the squad as well.

"The decision was made to be very active during the transfer window and over €200 million was invested. Eleven new players came in and seven or eight of them went straight into the first XI, including Bonucci, Kalinic, Biglia, Mustacchio, Calhanoglu, Kessie and Rodriguez.

"Therefore, Milan’s objective for the season is to finish in the top four and get back into the Champions League after so many years away."

What formation will Montella use on Sunday and who will he pick?

"After the loss against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, Milan have opted for a change in formation, going from a 4-3-3, which Montella used for the whole of last season, to a 3-5-2.

"The directors probably had this system in mind during the summer transfer window, seeing as they bought so many players that are well suited to the formation. So Montella should use it again on Sunday, but if the coach decides to play an attacking midfielder like Giacomo Bonaventura or Hakan Calhanoglu, it becomes almost a 3-4-1-2.

"Milan should line up against Roma with Donnarumma in goal; a back three of Mustacchio, Bonucci and Romagnoli; Kessie and Biglia in the centre of midfield with Abate and Rodriguez on the wings; and either Bonaventura or Calhanoglu behind a front two of probably Kalinic and one of Andre Silva or Cutrone."

Who will be Milan’s key man against Roma?

"The last two defeats against Lazio and Sampdoria have showed that the Rossoneri still need to find their identity. In fact, right at the moment there isn’t a player who can make a difference by themselves.

Possibly the player most capable of taking Milan by the scruff of the neck is Suso, who excelled in the 4-3-3 last season, operating as an attacking playmaker on the wing. However, the Spaniard stills need to find his spot in the new tactical set-up, but if Montella manages to slot him in during the next few days, I think Suso could be decisive against Roma, even coming off the bench."

If you could choose one player from Roma, who would you pick?

"I think Radja Nainggolan, even though he’s not scoring as many goals as last season, could pose the biggest threat to Milan, because of his shot, the attacking positions he gets into and the way he could press Lucas Biglia when the latter has the ball."