SAMPDORIA V AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A
Matchday six of Serie A is upon us. Waiting for AC Milan is Sampdoria, led by former Head Coach Giampaolo, in what is the Rossoneri's third away trip of the league. It's an important and difficult game for the Champions, who will be looking to continue their good form and get another victory following on from the win in the derby in their last league outing. Here is our Match Preview:
LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The Rossoneri go into the trip to Genova with enthusiasm after the Milan derby victory and a 1-1 draw in the Champions League opener away at FC Salzburg. There was only one change to the team that played at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday so here is how the Starting XI could be subject to change by Coach Pioli this evening. The Rossoneri attack will still be led by Olivier Giroud, with Pobega and Kjær fighting for a place in the starting line-up.
"We'll be coming up against a very solid opponent with a clear identity who are highly motivated," said Coach Pioli on the eve of the game. "They coming into the game on the back of two home draws against strong opposition, and from a defeat, so they're going to be really motivated to do well. I know I've got a very strong group of players here with a clear identity and style of play. In training, everyone trains hard every day, I have my complete faith in them. The formation I will choose will be the best one for the game."
LATEST FROM SAMPDORIA
At Ferraris in Genova, Sampdoria have obtained two draws in their last two home games with a 0-0 draw against Juventus and then a 1-1 draw to Lazio. The Blucerchiati's last league game though saw a defeat away at the hands of Hellas Verona. One change they will have to make is central defender Omar Colley, while Harry Winks' debut will have to wait a little longer after his late summer loan transfer from Tottenham. Giampaolo is likely to go with a 4-3-1-2 formation, trusting the qualities of Sabiri and the scoring capabilities of Caputo.
"AC Milan have got to know their own game very well indeed," said Head Coach Marco Giampaolo, "they play every game with great fluidity and control and when they draw it's like a defeat to them because they are so used to winning. It will be a very difficult game and we'll have to play with the right attitude and courage."
LATEST FROM SERIE A
Officiating the game will be Michael Fabbri, assisted by Liberti and Del Giovane, with Massa the Fourth Official. In the VAR hot seat is Abisso and his assistant Longo. For the referee from Ravenna, the game today will be his eighth one involving the Rossoneri; the most recent being last February in the away game to Salernitana that ended 2-2. Overall, he has seen three wins, two draws and two defeats for AC Milan.
On matchday 7 of Serie A today, Napoli face Spezia at 15:00 CEST, Inter play Torino at 18:00 CEST and then there is Sampdoria v AC Milan at 20.45 CEST. Tomorrow, the schedule sees Atalanta host Cremonese at 12:30 CEST, Lecce v Monza, Bologna v Fiorentina and Sassuolo v Udinese all kicking off at 15:00 CEST. Lazio go up against Hellas Verona at 18:00, before Salernitana make the trip to the Allianz to face Juventus. Closing the round of fixtures is Empoli v AS Roma on Monday night at 20:45 CEST.
Here are the standings after five games: Atalanta 13, Napoli 11, AC Milan 11, Udinese 10, Roma 10, Torino 10, Juventus 9, Inter 9, Lazio 8, Salernitana 6, Fiorentina 6, Sassuolo 6, Hellas Verona 5, Spezia 5, Empoli 4, Bologna 3, Lecce 2, Sampdoria 2, Cremonese 1, Monza 0.
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