Monza vs Milan Preview: Biancorossi Can Make things Difficult for the Rossoneri

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – After being 11 points behind the leaders of the Italian Serie A standings, due to losing in the middle of this week, AC Milan is determined to immediately return to winning ways when they visit Monza, Sunday (3/11/2024) at 02.45 WIB. However, the Rossoneri have to be careful, because the Biancorossi can make things difficult, like last season.

Defeated by Napoli at the San Siro, the Rossoneri had to overcome a significant deficit in the race for the Scudetto. Milan is in eighth position with 14 points, while Monza is in 17th place and has eight points.

On the opposite side, Monza will hope to repeat last season’s stunning victory over their tough neighbors.

Milan enter Tuesday (29/10/2024) evening’s important match against Serie A leaders Napoli in the hope of reducing the gap to five points on their rivals in the title race. However, the Rossoneri finally had to admit defeat 0-2 through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

This defeat added heat to the future of Paulo Fonseca, Milan coach.

Milan have now lost five of their 12 games under Fonseca, who again benched his Portuguese compatriot Rafael Leao against Napoli.

During an inconsistent October, when they finally toppled arch-rivals Inter Milan, the Rossoneri belatedly recovered and advanced in Europe by beating Club Brugge. However, they will face Champions League champions Real Madrid in the next match.

Now, Monza’s new coach, Alessandro Nesta, who is a tough former Milan defender, will fight all odds so that his team, which is slumped near the Serie A relegation zone, can rise again.

Last week the Biancorossi finally picked up their first league win of the season, and Nesta’s men have gone three games unbeaten, having progressed to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

However, their midweek trip to Bergamo ended in a 0-2 defeat, despite holding in-form Atalanta goalless for over an hour. That left Monza with only eight points from 10 matches.

Milan will welcome back Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders this weekend, after both were absent through suspension. Filippo Terracciano and Yunus Musah had to leave the starting XI.

Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic are still not fit. Alvaro Morata will lead the Rossoneri attack, supported by Christian Pulisic, who is recovering from illness. However, it remains to be seen whether Rafael Leao will be recalled or Noah Okafor remains in his place on the left wing.

Players who have been absent for a long time, Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi, are still certain not to be able to play until next year.

Monza will be missing Samuele Birindelli, Alessio Cragno and Stefano Sensi due to injury. However, the good news is that Warren Bondo has returned from his ban.

Mirko Maric was handed a rare start up front against Atalanta, but experienced striker Milan Djuric is expected to return to the home line-up.

What’s interesting is that Monza midfielder Daniel Maldini will play against the club that educated and raised him.

Monza vs Milan player forecast:
Monza:
Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Pessina, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Maldini; Djuric

AC Milan: Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata

Head to Head Monza vs Milan:
Last 5 meetings
14/8/24 AC Milan 3-1 Monza (Silvio Berlusconi Trophy)
19/2/24 Monza 4-2 AC Milan (Serie A)
17/12/23 AC Milan 3-0 Monza (Serie A)
9/8/23 Monza 1-1 AC Milan (Silvio Berlusconi Trophy)
19/2/23 Monza 0-1 AC Milan (Serie A).