ROMA v AC MILAN: THE BRIEFING

Seven days after the first leg at San Siro, Roma and AC Milan return to the field. The game at the Olimpico will determine a Europa League 2023/24 semifinalist, keeping open the possibility of winning a trophy. A delicate and important game awaits De Rossi and Pioli. A duel can be decided on key details. We propose three of them in our Briefing.

ATTACK, BUT WITH AN EYE ON DEFENCE
The narrow result of the first leg leaves no room for many hypotheses. To hope to advance to the next round, and a semi-final tie against the winner of West Ham v Bayer Leverkusen (the newly crowned German champions start with a 2-0 lead from the first leg), the Rossoneri must win. Doing so with a one-goal margin would take the match to extra time, while a greater margin would open the doors to the next round. Tactical choices and attitude must be geared towards attacking, with careful consideration given to keeping it tight at the back. The selection of the two centre-backs will likely be enforced, given Thiaw and Kjær conditions. Everything suggests that at the Olimpico, the starting duo will be Gabbia and Tomori. The Lombard centre-back has performed well in the two previous encounters in 2024 against the Giallorossi, nullifying the contribution of Lukaku as a target man. The English defender, on the other hand, is expected to have more responsibilities in distribution and playmaking, in addition to his usual reliability in defensive transitions. It would only be the second time Matteo and Fik start together from the first minute this season: the only previous occasion is recent, dating back to AC Milan v Lecce on April 6. A partnership with potential, as they combine different characteristics that complement each other well and, if it's their turn in Rome, could be decisive in terms of advancing to the next round.

AERIAL DUELS AND SET PLAYS AS OPPORTUNITIES
Roma and Milan are accustomed to creating goal-scoring opportunities from set plays and exploiting aerial duels. Two teams in good form will face off, as evidenced by their recent results and, most importantly, how they've achieved them, with comebacks or fitness levels over 90 minutes. Energy, physicality, athleticism, and intensity will define a match with high stakes, undoubtedly filled with action. The only goal of the first leg at San Siro came from a set play (Mancini's header), while Milan scored in both league encounters through aerial play: Leão's volley at the Olimpico and Giroud's header at San Siro. At the Rossoneri's home, Olivier Giroud's involvement will be crucial, both as a finisher and as a target man for lay-offs and assists. In this regard, particular attention will be paid to the duels between the Rossoneri's number 9 and the Giallorossi defenders, especially Smalling, who appeared in fine form at San Siro.

EXPLOITING THE RIGHT-FLANK
One of the keys to Roma's success in the first leg was their decision to allow AC Milan to attack down the right flank, and double up on the left, which caused Theo and Leão problems thanks to the defensive industry of Çelik and El Shaarawy. This choice forced Calabria and Pulisic to be more involved in the build-up play alongside the right centre-back (Gabbia), compelling the Rossoneri to adopt a different game plan from their usual approach. Anticipating a reiteration of this tactic from De Rossi,  Pioli has two possible new cards to play from his deck. Firstly, the rotation between Florenzi and Calabria at right-back. Secondly, starting Sammy Chukwueze, one of the most in-form players at the moment. The potential introduction of the Nigerian winger, who stood out in the final minutes at San Siro with the assist leading to Giroud's shot hitting the crossbar, would bring another tactical dilemma regarding the attacking midfielder position. On one hand, the choice for continuity with Ruben Loftus-Cheek; on the other hand, the possible return of Christian Pulisic to that role, a solution that proved successful in the victory against Lecce, for a more aggressive and creative setup.

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