AC Milan Vs. AS Roma Prediction: Rossoneri Wants To Show Jatidiri At San Siro

AC Milan relies on Tijjani Reijnders creativity (photo: x @T_Reijnders)

JAKARTA - AC Milan and AS Roma are preparing to close 2024 with a fierce match at the San Siro on Sunday night, December 29. Both teams want to make up for the performance under expectations throughout the year and end the calendar with positive results.

Milan, who are seven points ahead of Roma in the Serie A standings, remain under great pressure to appear consistent. Meanwhile, Roma wanted to build momentum after encouraging results in their last match.

AC Milan relied on Tijjani Reijnders' creativity, which has become one of their stars this season. The Dutch midfielder's goal brought Milan an important victory against Hellas Verona before Christmas, keeping their hopes of finishing in the Champions League zone alive.

However, consistency is a problem for the Rossoneri. In the last five games before the win over Verona, they only won one win, putting coach Paulo Fonseca under pressure.

Currently, Milan lags far behind city rivals Inter Milan and leaders Atalanta. They also face the challenge of defending their place in European competition next season.

Meanwhile, AS Roma ended the turmoil year with a landslide 5-0 win over Parma, thanks to two goals from Paulo Dybala. Claudio Ranieri, who returned to the club as interim coach, managed to raise the team's spirits after a bad period under Ivan Juric.

However, Roma's away record is of major concern. They have lost the last four away games in Serie A, making it their worst record since 2008.

Milan is still facing an injury crisis, although there is hope some players can return to performance. Christian Pulisic may only be available on the bench, while Ismael Bennacer and Luka Jovic have returned to full training.

However, the Rossoneri were confirmed without Rafael Leao, Yunus Musah, Noah Okafor, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Alessandro Florenzi. Theo Hernandez, who was previously backed up due to speculation of transfer, hopes to return to the starting XI.

Roma came with a squad that was almost complete, with only Bryan Cristante absent from an ankle injury. Claudio Ranieri is likely to keep the line-up that brought a big win over Parma.

Paulo Dybala, who became the motor of the Giallorossi attack, will be a major threat to Milan. Even so, Dybala has had a less impressive record at the San Siro, with only one Serie A goal he has scored at this stadium since 2014.

AC Milan has had a dominant record against AS Roma in recent years. The Rossoneri scored at least two goals in their last six meetings at the San Siro against the Giallorossi. Of the last nine meetings in Serie A, Roma have only won once.

However, both teams have their own weaknesses that can be exploited. Milan had to improve their sharpness at home, having failed to score in three of the last four games at the San Siro. On the other hand, Roma had to break their deadlock in an away match.

With a more solid formation and advantage of playing at home, AC Milan has a greater chance of ending this year with a win. However, Roma led by Ranieri should not be underestimated, especially with Dybala's return to his best performance.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

AC Milan:Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Terracciano; Chukwueze, Reijnders, Jimenez; Morata

AS Roma: Svilar; Mancini,xides, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Kone, Angelino; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk

Predictions: AC Milan 2-1 AS Roma