AC MILAN v ROMA: THE BRIEFING

Imagining how it will play out is difficult, almost impossible, because AC Milan and Roma know each other so well. But it is a first leg quarter-final after all. The competition is different, the scenario changes and the tie becomes less predictable. Delicate, very important: in this Briefing, we try to predict how the big Europa League clash at San Siro will play out.

FROM LEÃO TO DYBALA
It is down the flanks where AC Milan and Roma run. Not only the wingers, but also the full-backs and in general it the position of the best players. The one under observation and one that will guarantee a sporting show and battle is obviously the one on the left-hand side: Hernández and Leão are there, as is Dybala. They are the stars, the pawns capable of checkmate, the powerhouses ready to pounce in moments of the slightest hesistation. Theo and Rafa have goals and assists under their belt, as well as the physical power to break the deadlock at any time. Dybala represents the foundations of the Giallorossi attack; he is unpredictable and essential and hard to stop. There is, however, a very valid alternative on the opposite side of the pitch: Pulisic (or Chukwueze) and El Shaarawy - the American has clearly superior numbers for the season - are key men and in any case highly threatening.

AVERAGE STATS
Being the hosts, AC Milan will have more pressure on them than their opponent in trying to gain a first-leg advantage. The Rossoneri's approach will probably to be aggressive from the start, but also patient going forward in attack. The game will not be decided at San Siro, every obstacle will have to be faced without losing composure. Also because the "new" Roma does not stand by and watch: in great condition, they will often try to keep possession and look to play balls forward. The tempo and management of the game will be played out by the midfield. The work of Bennacer and Reijnders in possession will be essential, but perhaps even more so off the ball because the Giallorossi must not be given the upper hand. Paredes is the playmaker; Pellegrini the technician; and Cristante the man of substance. The return of Loftus-Cheek boads well for balance and, perhaps, for those late runs into the area.

DEFENSIVE UNITS AND GOALKEEPERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Two heavy absences in defence for each side: Tomori and N'Dicka, both suspended. Regardless of who is in the battle to replace them, Thiaw-Kjær and Smalling-Llorente, the rearguard's resistance will provide the basis for qualification. At San Siro, as at the Olimpico, attention, compactness and organisation will be needed. It would be dangerous to drop too deep; it would give a big hand to those players up top like Giroud and Lukaku to move into their favorite hunting ground. A clean sheet is probably not very likely; both teams like to attack and haven't been exactly waterproof this season, but it would be gold. Here, then, is where the goalkeepers enter the fray. Maignan and Svilar are both in great form: the Frenchman is hardly putting a foot wrong; the Serbian is now a mainstay. Both come into the game on the back of a clean sheet, capable of making saves to determine the outcome of the game.

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