Gennaro Gattuso’s Milan have turned a corner and are knocking on the European qualification door, with a positive result against relegation contenders Spal, things could become much more easier for the Rossoneri.
The previous draw against Udinese in Serie A left the Red and Blacks with a bitter aftertaste. Now the Rossoneri are ready to take on SPAL in what is to be considered a must-win match at the Paolo Mazza Stadium on Saturday at 3.00 PM.
AC MILAN’S FORM
The Red and Blacks have not lost a match since December last year (3 wins, 2 draws in Serie A) and especially against the Biancocelesti hold a positive record with only one defeat in the last 33 league matches (20 wins, 12 draws). As we are entering the business end of the season, keeping up the momentum will be very important. For this reason, players like Hakan Calhanoglu could be key. The Turkey international has fired in a shot every 23 minutes on average, the highest ratio among midfielders in the league this campaign.
OUR OPPONENTS’ FORM
SPAL have drawn four of their last five home league games – including the dramatic 1-1 tie against Inter –, scored and conceded at least a goal in each of them. When it comes to set pieces, the Biancocelesti have not done so well. Three of their last five goals conceded came from dead-ball scenarios – only Crotone (16) have done worse than the Ferrara side (14) this season –. Overall, SPAL have conceded six goals from the spot (including AC Milan’s two penalties in the reverse fixture), a joint-high in the current Serie A.
TEAM NEWS
After being sidelined in the last two matches due to an abdominal colic, Ricardo Rodriguez is back in full training with the group and will be available to coach Gattuso for the SPAL game
DANGERMEN
Although Alberto Paloschi has played eleven times against AC Milan without scoring, more than against any other side, the 28-year-old striker has netted 5 goals this season and, after Mirco Antenucci (6), is SPAL’s top scorer this season.
The Rossoneri squad
After the last training session before leaving for Ferrara, Rino Gattuso has announced the squad for the clash against SPAL at the Paolo Mazza Stadium to take place on Saturday at 3 PM. Here’s the squad list:
GOALKEEPERS: A. Donnarumma, G. Donnarumma, Guarnone
DEFENDERS: Abate, Antonelli, Bellanova, Bonucci, Gomez, Musacchio, Rodriguez, Romagnoli, Zapata
MIDFIELDERS: Biglia, Bonaventura, Calhanoglu, Kessie, Locatelli, Mauri, Montolivo
FORWARDS: Borini, Cutrone, André Silva, Suso.
Andrea Conti, who is not part of the squad list for this game, will be travelling to Ferrara with the rest of the team.
Spal vs AC Milan: head-to-head matches
AC Milan will face Spal, in the next round of Serie A, on Saturday at 15:00 CET. The Rossoneri have lost, in the league, only one match against the club from Ferrara, in June 1957, in the 33 clashes between the two teams. The overall balance in the league speaks for twenty wins for AC Milan and twelve draws. The last match played at San Siro ended 2-0 for the red and blacks thanks to goals from Kessie and Rodriguez.
Medical update: Nikola Kalinic injured
AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinic has suffered an injury and will miss next match against Spal and probably even the Eorpa League challenge against Ludogorets. Doctor Mazzoni provided a fitness report on Kalinic declaring: “Kalinic did not take part in today’s training session. because he has an inflammation of the adductor region which is particularly irritating and painful so we decided to treat him and we will evaluate the progress during the next hours“. A blow for the team but a great opportunity for Andre Silva and Cutrone to demonstrate their values.
CorSera: Ricardo Rodriguez from the first minute against Spal
After missing the last two games against Lazio (Italian Cup) and Udinese (Serie A) due to health issues, Ricardo Rodriguez has finally recovered and has returned to train with the group. The Swiss left beck is expected to start from the first minute on Saturday afternoon against Spal reports today Il Corriere della Sera.
