View from the Opposition: AC Milan

We get the lowdown on our first opponents of 2022...

"Milan need a big performance: Stefano Pioli has almost everyone available again now. They will be without Simon Kjaer - but it looks like Ibrahimovic, Leao and Rebic will all be back."

We spoke to Claudio Lopraino, a journalist with MilanLive.it, to get a better look at how the home side are shaping up ahead of Thursday's contest at the Giuseppe Meazza (kick-off: 18:30 CET).

How are Milan looking heading into this game?

"Well, first and foremost, it's definitely a really important game for the Rossoneri. Not just because of the size and standing of the two sides, not just because you always want to start the New Year in the right fashion, but also because Stefano Pioli and his players need a result that convinces them the poor recent run of results and injuries is finally behind them.

"They need a big performance - almost everyone will be back for this one."

Compared to the first meeting between the two sides this season (which Milan won), the Rossoneri seem to have lost a bit of their edge since then. What has changed?

"I agree, they are a little less solid now. But I don't think we are talking about a loss of conviction or self-belief: in any season it always happens where you go through periods where you are affected by things a bit beyond your control. Clearly all the injuries in recent weeks have had an impact, while going out of the Champions League also was a bit of a setback.

"But not much time has passed since that game at the Olimpico really - it was only at the end of October. Between then and now Milan have kept themselves at the top end of the table and are currently in a position to ensure they qualify for the Champions League again next season."

Who is the key player for Milan?

"I'll give you two. The first of those is Fikayo Tomori: he's the defensive leader for the side now. With Kjaer out he is the one who marshalls the backline - so he needs to be strong and calm and give confidence to all those around him. That's not an easy task, but he's shown already that he is more than capable of it.

"The other player is Sandro Tonali. With a few midfield absences now, especially as Kessie and Bennacer are heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations, Tonali should be in line to play fairly regularly over the next month and really build on a solid start to the season for himself personally. It's the moment of truth for him: he needs to dictate things for the team."

Are you expecting many changes to the line-up and tactical setup compared to the last game against Empoli?

"Pioli has made it pretty clear over time that the 4-2-3-1 is the system he likes and he doesn't really move away from it much. Sometimes, in a game where the team is losing, it has happened that he has switched to a 4-4-2 in order to get two big strikers (usually Giroud and Ibrahimovic) on the pitch.

"As far as the line-up goes, I think Davide Calabria will be back at right-back, Tonali will be there in central midfield and he will be partnered by either Bakayoko or Krunic. Up top it all remains to be seen: it depends on the fitness of the various options.

"Maybe it will be Giroud's turn, with Ibra ready to come on. Rebic may well be on the bench, while it looks like they will have to make a late decision on Leao. I would suggest that right now it's more likely to be Saelemaekers, Messias and Brahim Diaz behind the striker for this one."

What have you made of Roma under Jose Mourinho so far?

"The Roma fans were probably expecting a little bit more from Mourinho's side over the first half of the season. But they are only six points off the Champions League spots right now, which really isn't a lot. Roma need to make sure they can capitalise on every single mistake the teams in front of them end up making. The Portuguese coach knows what he needs to do in that regard, I'm sure he'll build their confidence up as the season continues."

Is there a player you would love to steal from this Roma side?

"From the Roma starting XI I would happily remove Jordan Veretout - he's one of those players who can make a decisive difference when he is on his game. He was tracked by Milan in the past and I would have loved to have seen him play for the Rossoneri. I like the quality he has in the final third: he knows how to get his teammates in positions where they can convert and he makes it look easy."

What's your prediction for this one, then?

"As I just said, I have confidence in Mourinho and that he will continue to bring positive improvements to this Roma side - but I hope, obviously, that those improvements start after this game.

"That's why I will say this one will finish 2-0 to Milan, but I am sure both sets of fans will have fun either way. Milan and Roma is a Serie A classic, it's always a spectacle."