5 Things to know about AC Milan vs Arsenal
The excitement and the incentives increase. It’s the Europa League Last-16, it’s AC Milan v Arsenal. A match between two of the teams with more tradition in the international scene. On one hand, coach Gattuso’s men, who are enjoying a positive streak and are determined to go all the way in Europa League, and on the opposite side, Arsène Wenger’s Gunners, who are going through a tough period in terms of performances and results. To prepare us for this unmissable clash, let’s find out five stats and curiosities about the game:
1– AC Milan and Arsenal have played six times in European competitions: two wins for each side and two draws. None of these six games saw both teams scoring.
2– The Red and Blacks have not found the net in 3 of the last 4 matches against Arsenal. Yet, on that remaining game, they scored 4 goals.
3– The Rossoneri have faced Arsenal twice in knockout rounds, both in the Champions League Last-16: in the 2007/08 season (being knocked out) and the 2011/12 campaign (going through into the next round).
4– AC Milan have won only one of the last nine games against English sides in European cups (precisely that 4-0 win against Arsenal in February 2012). As for the rest, five losses and three draws.
5– Without Giroud, Walcott and Sanchez (all sold in January), Arsenal have lost seven of their 18 goals in this Europa League.
The biggest obstacle Milan face against Arsenal
AC Milan vs Arsenal it’s definitely the main even of Europa League round of 16. The Rossoneri when it comes to European competitions are in their natural habitat while the English club despite their difficult period are a regular in Europe’s top competitions and can count on an experienced coach like Arsene Wenger.
‘Experience’ – that’s precisely what AC Milan lack these days. Gigio Donnarumma, Cutrone, Romagnoli and Calabria, hugely talented players, have never played in big games like this or against Europe’s top clubs. Even more elderly players like Jack Bonaventura, Lucas Biglia or Hakan lack experience in European competitions. Hopefully captain Bonucci, with his unparalleled international background, will lead the Rossoneri towards European success.
AC Milan vs Arsenal: the Rossoneri squad
After today’s training session at Milanello, coach Gattuso has named the 18-man squad that will take on Arsenal at San Siro in the first leg of the Europa League Last-16 (kick-off on Thursday 8th at 7.00 PM CET). Out Musacchio, here is the list in full:
GOALKEEPERS: A. Donnarumma, G. Donnarumma
DEFENDERS: Bonucci, Calabria, Rodriguez, Romagnoli, Zapata
MIDFIELDERS: Biglia, Bonaventura, Calhanoglu, Kessie, Locatelli, Montolivo
FORWARDS: Borini, Cutrone, Kalinic, André Silva, Suso.
Gazzetta: The duel to decide the match
Tomorrow evening at San Siro there will be a great atmosphere for the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 between. It is a highly anticipated match by both teams, in which there will also be several individual duels that will be decisive for the final outcome. Among these, there is for example that at a distance between Patrick Cutrone, the starting center-forward of the Devil, and Danny Welbeck, one of the key players of the Gunners who will arrive in Milano today.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that is a duel that no one would have expected in the summer. In fact, in August, Cutrone had in front of him Kalinic and Andre Silva, while Welbeck was left behind Sanchez, Giroud and Walcott in club hierarchy. Without Aubameyang and Lacazette, tomorrow evening at San Siro, the English striker will lead Arsenal’s attack and therefore the Milanese defenders will have to be very careful. Same task for the Arsenal defense who must neutralize the in form Patrick.
Tuttosport: Gattuso will deploy his best team against Arsenal
The Rossoneri were supposed to play one of their most important games yesterday in Serie A but due to the unexpected passing of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori the derby with Inter has been cancelled and will be played in a latter date allowing coach Gattuso to focus more on the upcoming Europa League encounter against Arsenal.
On Thursday night at San Siro, Rino Gattuso will deploy the best possible formation with the regular starters, the “typical” line up he has used in the last two games against Roma and Lazio reports today Tuttosport, explaining that in attack Patrick Cutrone should be preferred once again over Nikola Kalinic who is still not fit to play for 90 minutes.
