Pisa vs AC Milan — Preview, Team News and Predicted XI

AC Milan travel to the Arena Garibaldi as clear favourites in the Serie A clash against lowly Pisa. While the hosts are level on points with rock-bottom Hellas Verona, Milan have a chance to cut Inter’s lead at the top to five points.

Sitting eight points behind neighbourhood rivals Inter, Milan emerge as the only opposition that could give them a challenge for the Scudetto this season. The Rossoneri have a game in hand, and winning tomorrow will reduce the league leaders’ lead to just points; however, losing will give them an absolute breather for the long run.

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Following the shocking loss to Cremonese in the opening weekend, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have gone unbeaten in their next 22 Serie A games. This is currently the longest streak in Europe this season till now. Milan could get some revenge for the Coppa Italia final loss last campaign from their previous outing when they beat Bologna 3-0, thanks to strikes from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot.

Allegri had ten days to prepare for their upcoming fixture as their match versus Como was cancelled, which was once expected to be played in Australia as part of the league’s outreach programme.

Meanwhile, Pisa welcome Milan to their home after securing a point in a 2-2 draw in October at the San Siro. Much has changed since Zachary Athekame’s strike saved the Rossoneri from humiliation. While Pisa are fighting for survival, a battle which they seem to be losing at the moment, Milan are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League next season and possibly win the Scudetto in this one.

Alberto Gilardino was relieved from his duties ahead of a relegation six-pointer clash against Verona, and newly appointed Oscar Hijemark had to settle for a goalless draw. Pisa’s only win this season came last November in a 1-0 victory over Cremonese, and apart from that, they have made their 15-point tally with the help of 12 draws.

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Pisa have failed to give their fans something to cheer about in this top-flight campaign, and even a point against the Rossoneri could prove valuable in their road to survival.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Pisa:

D L L D D

Milan:

W D W W D

Team News

Top scorer Christian Pulisic is set to return to the squad, but was ruled out by Allegri of having the fitness to play a full match.

Alexis Saelemaekers is still out with an injury.

Nkunku and Rafael Leao are expected to start upfront.

Pisa will miss Raul Albiol, Daniel Denoon and Isak Vural due to their respective injuries. Marius Marin is set to serve his one-match ban.

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Predicted XI

Pisa (3-4-2-1): Scuffet; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori; Stojilkovic, Moreo; Durosinmi.

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Leao.