After tearing apart our Scudetto-winning team and "rebuilding" by sending all of the players on loan to rival clubs for free or very little, while spending big to bring in players with a much lower overall resale value, management finally tried to at least bring in quality players in January. The result was a win vs. Roma on Wednesday in the Coppa Italia. But now, Milan face an even bigger test: an away match to a relegation-threatened side. Will the old Milan that struggles in these matches show up in Tuscany? Or will the new players help usher in a new era of confidence? Either way, this match should prove to be a rite of passage.
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| Time for everyone to step up and change our fortunes. |
Empoli come into this match in 16th place on the table, with only four wins, nine draws, and ten losses this season. Their most recent match was a disastrous 4-1 loss away to Juventus on Sunday, where they ended on ten men. For that match, coach D'Aversa lined up a 3-4-2-1 with: Milan-owned Devis Vásquez; former Milan youth player De Sciglio, Ismajli, Marianucci; Gyasi, Henderson, Anjorin, Cacace; Esposito, Maleh; and Milan-owned Colombo. Maleh was the player who was sent off in that match, so he is suspended for our match. D'Aversa also has a number of injuries as well. He will be missing Ebuehi, Haas, Solbakken, Sazonov, and Pellegri to injury, with Ismajli and Anjorin also at risk due to fitness issues. He will have new signing Cristian Kouamé available as a reinforcement, who transferred at the end of the window from Fiorentina.
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| One of our own could easily be the one who stops us from a victory. |
Conceição's fortunes have changed significantly. While Florenzi, Emerson Royal, and Loftus-Cheek are still out injured, and Bondo is still not fit, he has the rest of his January reinforcements available. Word on the street is that the manager could possibly finally start with his preferred 4-4-2 system. There is also a lot of talk about Leão starting from the bench again, as well.
The media are immediately insisting that it is because Leão does not track back. However, I think Conceição could be worried about the short term contract of João Félix, so he just wants to make sure he gets our six months worth out of him. Reijnders is another one who could get a break by starting on the bench ahead of our midweek Champions League match in Holland. Also, after Tomori and Pavlović have been defending out of their minds, the reports say that Thiaw and Gabbia could start now that both have recovered from their injuries.
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| Time for the new guys to help Milan step up. |
A number of Milan clubs have vowed to boycott a number of matches, especially away matches, due to the recent changes in ticket sales. Whether or not the entire Curva Sud chooses not to travel is unclear. Fans may have changed their minds since the end of the transfer window, too. But Milan will be traveling to face a relegation-threatened (read: desperate, nothing to lose) side, potentially without fans. Again. The excitement and energy of the new signings does not change the importance of overcoming this pitfall. Both for the players who have been at the club, as well as the new players, this match will be a rite of passage.
Serie C Week 26
Reviewed by Elaine
on
11:00 PM
Rating:
