It’s back to league action for the Rossoneri after the dissapointing exit from the Europa League. It’s a mixed feelings for the fans, as some preferred to go all out on this trophy while others preferred to embrace the exit and focus on the league. For those who wanted to prioritize the league, you got what you wanted. So what now? This is Fiorentina Vs AC Milan – Can The Rossoneri Bounce Back?
Match Preview
After their win last time, Fiorentina are out of the drop zone for now. However, they still have a lot of work to do, as Benevento, Spezia and Genoa are right behind them. On the other hand, Milan seems stuck lately, as the gap to 2nd place keeps getting closer. Juventus are just 1 point away with a game in hand, Atalanta is also closing in from behind while Roma and Napoli have a score to settle before we see who’s closer. Will the Europa League extir give them the needed “rest” to focus on the league? Or will it come back to haunt them? Let’s take a closer look.
Fiorentina
La Viola are having a tricky season so far, as they are a team we are used to see competing for European places instead of avoiding relegation. Nonethless, a win against Benevento last time lifted them to 13th with 29 points, just 5 points away from 10th position. Now that may not mean European football, however they will take any better position they are close to, which is an additional reason for them to fight harder against Milan. Fiorentina secured a 4-1 win courtesy of Dusan Vlahovic’s first Serie A hat-trick. Can he keep it rolling as the season comes to a decisive stage?
With 7 points from their last 5 matches, Fiorentina are back on track to reserve their place as a safe mid-table side. Scoring goals does not look like a problem for them lately, as they scored 3 or more goals in 3 of their past 5 matches. This is something that I Gigliati must preserve if they want to end the season on a high note.
AC Milan
On the other hand, we can all agree that the Rossoneri are struggling a lot lately. Winning just 2 of their last 6 league games might see them lose grip of the top 4 eventually. Their most recent encounter was a loss to Napoli at home, a team that is also closing in on the top 4. Unlike Fiorentina, scoring goals does seem like a problem for them lately, as they score just 1 goal in their last 3 games. Of course that could be due to the injuries they are currently facing. Ibra, Leao, Rebic, add to that Bennacer and Calhanoglu are all players that can score and create chances from nothing. Milan had only one striker for their Europa League clash against United, and that was a “not 100% fit” Zlatan. So not to use that as an excuse or anything, however many teams will struggle like that if not more if they miss so many players.
Now the tricky question here remain, will this exit be a blessing or a curse for this team? Being knocked out of a competition is never nice, especially not in the closing stages. However, Milan must remember that this is all just a work in progress, the process is not yet finished. If you remember their struggles last couple of season, you could tell that they are already “overachieving”. Now with the Europa League out of the way, Milan have only one game a week. Players can rest more, the coaching staff can better prepare and the mood will adjust. Can they take advantage of that until the end of the season? If so, Sundya is the perfect day to show that.
Team News
Fiorentina are facing a lot of injures lately. Prandelli could be without Igor (ankle), Cristiano Biraghi (ankle), Sofyan Amrabat (hamstring), Gaetano Castrovilli (thigh), Christian Kouamé (thigh) and Aleksandr Kokorin (thigh). Which means that he will most probably use the same lineup he did against Benevento.
As for Milan, despite the return of Ibra, they are still without Alessio Romagnoli (calf), Davide Calabria (knee), Ante Rebić (suspended) and Rafael Leão (thigh). We could see Castillejo slot in as a false 9 if Zlatan is still not 100% fit to start.
Prediction & Current Odds
Fiorentina Vs AC Milan – Can The Rossoneri Bounce Back? Bottom line is, both teams are in need of a win. Fiorentina will take any good result as it will allow them to move up the table. While Milan will focus on the league now that they are out of Europe. Can the Rossoneri regroup after the United loss and get going again? What we can know for sure is that this fixture will not be shy of goals, so expect both teams to score and the match to finish with more than 2 goals. As for the end result, it remains to see how ready and fresh will Milan be. On papers, they have the stronger team and should be able to get a win in the end.
- Over 2.5 goals: 1.90
- Both Teams To Score: 1.75
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