When AC Milan travels to Salernitana on Wednesday, they will try to close the gap on Serie A leaders Napoli to five points.
AC Milan have been in fantastic form so far this season, and they will be looking to take all three points against a Salernitana side that have struggled at times this season.
Salernitana currently sits in 12th place in the table going into the first round of 2023 fixtures after winning four, drawing five, and losing six of their 15 Serie A games this season.
After a 23-year absence, Salernitana finally made their Serie A debut last season, finishing in 17th place with 31 points from 38 games, one point ahead of Cagliari. As a result, the team has had a successful season thus far, sitting 10 points above the relegation zone. However, they have dropped their last two league games to Fiorentina and Monza.
It should be easier for Davide Nicola’s team to fight for survival now that they are only focused on the league after being eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the beginning of August. Last season, Salernitana lost 2-0 to Milan at the San Siro, but the rematch between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw, earning Salernitana a point.
Milan are currently ranked second in the standings with 33 points after 15 league games, with a record of 10 victories, three ties, and two losses.
Milan currently trail leaders Napoli by 8 points, but they have a chance to close that gap to 5 points before Napoli’s Serie A season continues on Wednesday night at Inter Milan.
Last season, Stefano Pioli’s team won the championship by finishing two points ahead of Inter Milan in second place, but they will face a tough challenge to keep the trophy this year. While facing a Salernitana team that has lost just two of its seven games in front of its own fans, Milan only has the fifth-best away record in Serie A this season after losing four of their seven games.
Salernitana Team News
Pasquale Mazzocchi of Salernitana will once again be sidelined with a knee injury, and Norbert Gyomber of the home team is still questionable with a hamstring problem. With six goals this year, Boulaye Dia, 26, is the team’s leading scorer in Serie A, and he will once more play for the home team in the final third of the field.
There aren’t likely to be any major surprises in the Salernitana XI, but Antonio Candreva won’t be available for Nicola’s team after receiving a red card against Monza the last time they played.
Possible lineup:
Sepe; Bronn, Daniliuc, Pirola; Mazzocchi, Coulibaly, Radovanovic, Maggiore, Bradaric; Boulaye Dia, Piatek
Milan Team News
Florenzi, Origi, Ballo-Toure, Rebic, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are still out injured for Milan. Mike Maignan and Messias are unlikely to be available for selection in the meantime.
Theo Hernandez and Giroud, two players from Milan who participated in the 2022 World Cup final, are anticipated to start this match. However Giroud should be itroduced later as a sub and new signing De ketelaere should be given a nod at striker position from the start. Leao should get another start in the meantime.
Possible lineup:
Tatarusanu; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Salamaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; De Ketelaere
So, who will come out on top in this matchup? It’s tough to say, as both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. However, based on their current form, we give the edge to AC Milan. They have been the more consistent team this season and have a well-balanced squad that can score goals and defend well. That being said, Salernitana will not be an easy opponent and could very well pull off an upset if they can find their offensive groove.
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