While the world seems focused on a very different football game later Sunday night, Milan host Crotone at the San Siro in the afternoon, the league leaders hosting the bottom of the table side. While this match on paper appears to be a potential feeding frenzy for i Diavoli, there is nothing more dangerous than a side with nothing to lose. Certainly, gli Squali will do everything to force an upset but Milan go into this match as shark hunters.
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| Shark hunters recently returned to duty do not fear Crotone |
Giovanni Stroppa's Crotone come into this match more as bottom feeders than the sharks they are named for. They have won three matches, had three draws, and lost 14 matches. Ouch. Their most recent loss was a 3-0 home loss to Genoa last Sunday. For that match, Stroppa lined up: Cordaz; Magallan, Marrone, Golemic; Pereira, Messias, Zanellato, Benali, Reca; De Carmine, and Simy. Crotone midfielder Messias is suspended for this match due to card accumulation. Additionally, Cigarini, Cuomo, and Molina are out with injuries and Pereira is fighting for match fitness ahead of their trip to Milano.
Pioli's extensive injury list has been cut down to two players: Kjaer and Diaz, who will both miss this match. Kjaer resumed individual training this week but is not expected to be fit until the Derby in two weeks, while Diaz is awaiting another exam midweek to determine when he can resume training. Since last week, however, both Calhanoglu and Gabbia have returned to full training, and both are expected to be available for this match. Tomori is the most likely to deputize for Kjaer, and it will be interesting to see if Pioli gives Hauge any time after controversially omitting him from our Europa League squad this past week.
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| Hoping Rebic will have much better luck against the sharks this time |
Milan need a win to hang on to top spot in the league. It's bad enough that Inter are blocking our stadium project off the pitch, we do not need to let them take our position at the top of the table as well. In the away fixture in September, Milan beat Crotone 2-0, while missing Ibrahimovic to COVID-19, as well as players like Romagnoli and others to injury. Rebic will have bad memories of facing gli Squali, as this was the match he dislocated his elbow in. Nothing is certain in football, and Crotone are desperate for points. Milan will need to return to their form before the injury apocalypse in order to secure their reputation as shark hunters.
This post inspired by the music of John Williams' "Jaws (Soundtrack)"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
12:22 AM
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