AC Milan dominated Sampdoria last week, showing off what they are capable of offensively, putting four past a lacklustre defence.
The Rossoneri’s attention now turns to Carpi, who earned promotion from Serie B to the top flight for the very first time. Their first season in Serie A is not going too well. The Biancorossi currently sit in second-last place in 19th on nine points and have only managed two wins this season. As it stands, they are looking at relegation after one season.
Since Sinisa Mihajlovic injected the young and energetic Gianluigi Donnarumma into the squad as the first choice goalkeeper, the defence has performed far better than earlier in the season when Diego Lopez was between the sticks, who made a smorgasbord of errors.
The main issue for the Rossoneri lately has been the communication between the midfield and the forwards. The team struggled to create chances through the midfield, unable to find the final ball for the strikers.
While Carpi are struggling to get out of the relegation zone, the pressure will be firmly on Milan to replicate their form from the Sampdoria match. Milan are perceived to be weak mentally, and rightly so considering the near miss they had against Crotone in the Coppa Italia midweek (needing extra time to defeat the second-tier team), and their ladder placings the last couple of seasons.
Milan will be aiming to take all three points from the game and from two remaining Serie A games before the Christmas break, the good news for them is all three matches are against the teams sitting right at the bottom of the ladder. They also take on Sampdoria in the fourth round of the Coppa Italia.
The Rossoneri currently sit in seventh spot on the Serie A ladder with 23 points. Winning the remaining games before Christmas would give them nine more points for a tally of 32, and some breathing space for the team and for coach Mihajlovic, who, previous to the Sampdoria match, was under some intense scrutiny from fans and the media alike. This is their chance to prove they are top four contenders.
M’Baye Niang was the star of the show against Sampdoria, setting up the first goal of the match for Bonaventura, then scoring two of his own, and also scoring a goal in the mid week Coppa Italia match against Crotone. Mihajlovic will be looking to utilise the forwards energy and speed again this week against a side who have managed just two wins all season.
Carlos Bacca has struggled recently, but his counterpart Luiz Adriano has had a couple of solid games up front, scoring in the last two games (Serie A against Sampdoria and Crotone in Coppa Italia). It finally looks like the midfield and the forwards are communicating clearly and look to be a force to be reckoned with, when they are switched on at least. Giacomo Bonaventura will be looking to continue his excellent season against Carpi. Menacing in the midfield, he has three goals and five assists so far this season. Provided he continues to improve his skills in the final third, the combination of himself and the forwards should continue to become a threat throughout the rest of the season.
Key signing Mario Balotelli, who is sidelined for several weeks with a groin injury, has started some light training after undergoing surgery. The enigmatic Italian had just started to find some of his excellent form before he pulled up with the injury and has been frustrated at the lengthy absence he has had to endure. His return is not until at least early January, although there are reports that he may be back as early as round 16. Andrea Bertolacci has also missed a few games through a muscular injury and is expected to be out for another week or two.
Milan need to win their remaining games before the Christmas break to stay in touch with ladder leaders Napoli, who are outright first on 31 points. This game is a chance for the Rossoneri to make a statement and show the potential that the fans have seen glimpses of. A draw or defeat to a team sitting second-last on the table would be disastrous, and would wreck them mentally. It could also spell the end of Mihajlovic’s Milan career.
Look for Bonaventura and Niang/Adriano to spark the offense.
Key Facts – Carpi vs AC Milan
Milan have conceded at least one goal in their last 11 home games.
Carpi have conceded six goals in the first 15 minutes of play this season, more than any other team in the Serie A.
Carpi and AC Milan have never met in either the Serie A or Serie B.
The only time they have met was in a friendly in 1966; Milan won 5-2.
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