CREMONESE v AC MILAN: THE KEYS TO THE GAME

The final midweek matchday of 2022 sees the Rossoneri travel to Cremona where they will take on a side looking to record a famous win so as to turn around a poor start to the campaign. The Grigiorossi are the only side yet to win a single Serie A match this season and they have picked up just two points at home so far in 2022/23. Alvini's side, however, haven't lost in either of their last two games and have shown some signs of strength which could be crucial for them in this game. Let's take a look:

WING-BACKS
Cremonese tend to opt for a 3-4-1-2 formation with the wing-backs playing a major role in the Grigiorossi's build-up play. The ability of midfielders Ascacibar and Pickel to drive forward with the ball at their feet allows Alvini's team to escape the high press and then shift the ball out wide. The aim is to then feed players such as Valeri and Sernicola in the box to finish. When not in possession, Cremonese usually press man to man while the wing-backs drop deep and slot in alongside the back three. As such, AC Milan could enjoy numerical superiority out wide by getting their own full-backs to push high and attack the spaces left by their opposite numbers. Ballo-Touré and Kalulu's dribbling ability seem well-suited to this situation, while Leão and Messias will try to capitalise on having a man extra.

SPACES BETWEEN THE LINES
Given that much of the build-up is done by creative wide players, the movement of Cremonese's number 10 is essential to provide an extra passing option to the outside, thus creating space for the two strikers to run into. Whether it is Pickel or Bonaiuto in that role, our central midfielders will need to limit the supply to whomever Alvini chooses to play as that attacking midfielder. Pioli will also be well aware the Rossoneri's trequartista will be able to exploit the space between the Cremonese midfield and back three. This will force one of the Grigiorossi's defenders to step up out of the line, thereby providing space to run into for one of our wingers or for Origi. Díaz and De Ketelaere are contenders to be this thorn in Cremonese's side, while Krunić and Adli may come on later in the game to link the midfield with the attack.

QUICK IN TRANSITION
Finally, Milan's ability to win the ball back high up the pitch could be the key tactical point that decides the game at the Stadio Zini. The Rossoneri could cause plenty of problems for Alvini's men with their aggressive high press, of which they are one of the best proponents in Italian football. Pioli's side could use this to their advantage as they seek to pounce upon any mistakes as Cremonese look to build up from the back. AC Milan, thanks to the recoveries made by their midfield engines such as Pobega and Tonali, would thereby be able to quickly move the ball out wide and strike at their opponents with pace, avoiding the possibility of complicating a must-win game.

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