Milan last won the Scudetto back in 2011. Hard times soon followed. They’re now number one in Serie A, and even though this may be unlikely to last, there’s an understandable feeling of elation in the Rossoneri camp. Against mid-table side Sampdoria they’ll be without their talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but motivated by the knowledge that victory could ensure they celebrate the New Year’s in the top spot.
Sampdoria – Milan
Serie A Round 10
Sunday, 6th of December 2020
Kick-off at 20.45 (CET)
Luigi Ferraris Stadium (Genoa)
Recent Form – Sampdoria
Sampdoria are a popular team in Italy and have even won a Scudetto in the modern era (1991). The club usually shoots for an upper-middle table position and, occasionally gets lucky to reach the European competitions. With one of the most experienced football managers at the helm, Claudio Ranieri, this is the objective with which they approached the 2020-21 season.
But, they’ve struggled to gain a decent run of form. They lost their opening two games but won every one of their Serie A fixtures in October. However, they haven’t won a single match since then. Last time around they drew 2-2 to relegation-battling Torino.
In Antonio Candreva and Fabio Quagliarella, they have two of the most experienced and consistent performers in the league. However, they remain over-reliant on their veterans. Sampdoria’s youngsters have generally failed to make much of an impression this season. With things as they are, the Blucerchiati would gladly settle for a draw against the league leaders.
Team News and Predicted Lineups – Sampdoria
Expected Starting XI (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Yoshida, Tonelli, Augello; Candreva, Thorsby, Ekdal, Jankto; Gabbiadini, Quagliarella
Unavailable: Keita, Thorsby (?)
Recent Form – Milan
Milan could be Serie A leaders on Christmas Day. It’s a goal that looked like a chimera in seasons prior when the Rossoneri were simply unable to shake off mediocrity. With that in mind, Milan’s fans and players have every reason to celebrate.
Despite this, there are two main problems. One of them is the fact that the team is dependent on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s form to thrive. The 39-year-old has played brilliantly and his fighting character has, no doubt rubbed off on his teammates. But, at his age, he is a player prone to injuries, and not one that is easily replaceable. This was obvious in Milan’s victory over Celtic this week.
The other problem is that the run of form is unlikely to carry on throughout the campaign. Sorry Milan fans! The team features a host of talented players (Theo Hernandez, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu), but their squad depth is no match for those of Juventus, Inter, or, perhaps even Lazio.
Grabbing points against teams like Sampdoria is vital. They’ll still occupy the top spot next week even should they fail to win, but it would damage their stride.
Stefano Pioli likes to play a 4-2-3-1 that takes advantage of the speed of his wing-backs (Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria) and the versatility of the double pivots (usually Franck Kessié and Ismael Bannacer or Sandro Tonali).
Milan are good at adapting their tactics to suit their opponents. Should Sampdoria decide to relinquish possession, Pioli’s men will look to attack through short passes and use the inventiveness of players Bannacer or Calhanoglu to break down their opponents. If forced to defend, they can also profit from their players’ speed and technique to create goal-scoring chances.
Team News and Predicted Lineups – Milan
Expected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Gabbia, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Bennacer, Kessié; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Brahim Diaz; Rebic
Unavailable: Ibrahimovic, Kjaer, Leao
Sampdoria – Milan: Previous Meetings
Sampdoria has a lengthy history of playing Milan. It should come as little surprise that the Rossoneri, one of Italy’s most prestigious football institutions, lead this battle having won 73 of the last 137 matches.
More recently, however, things have tended to even out. During the 2018-19 season, Sampdoria won once through a goal by Gregoire Defrel and lost once. Last season Milan managed a draw at home but earned a late-season 4-1 victory at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium. Ante Rebic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Giacomo Bonaventura scored on that occasion. The Rossoneri will be without at least two of those players on Sunday but will be hoping for a similar result.
Conclusion
There’s no other way of saying this. Milan start out the game against Sampdoria as clear favorites. They’re a versatile team tactically and their players can strike a good balance between flair and hard work, a quality that s very prized in Italian football.
The Genovese club is no pushover and will desperately need to improve their recent form. But, if Pioli’s team are to be taken seriously as title contenders this season they need to earn the victory in these kinds of matches, with or without Zlatan Ibrahimovic.