AC MILAN v FIORENTINA: KEYS TO THE MATCH

AC Milan and Fiorentina face each other at San Siro on matchday 15 of Serie A, in the round that concludes an important first phase of the season and make way for the World Cup break in Qatar. Heading into the break with a win will be the objective of both teams: the Rossoneri are called upon to redeem their lacklustre performance against Cremonese in the midweek match, while the Viola are coming off three consecutive league wins. Let's analyse the possible key elements of a match that, in recent years, has often turned out to be balanced and decided by single moments.

SPEED AND SKILLS ON THE WINGS
On one team Messias and Leão, on the other Ikoné and Kouamé. The Brazilian, who has returned with new vitality from the injury he picked up at the end of September, will have space on the right flank to bring flair and quality to the Rossoneri's flank. On the same wing - but on the opposite team - will be Jonathan Ikoné, in an indisputable state of form and a constant nightmare for the Salernitana defence in the last match, just as Junior was one of AC Milan's best in the dull draw at Cremona. Two wingers, both left-footed and playing their second year with their respective teams, with comparable characteristics: the Rossoneri's #30 is better suited in close quarters, the Frenchman excels in open attacks. On the left-hand side, Leão and Kouamé provide two attacking options with the right amount of unpredictability and freedom. The Portuguese forward, who already scored in last year's San Siro match, is more solid than the Ivorian, and is eager to make an impact again after three league games without a goal or an assist to his name.

COMPARISON OF KEEPERS
A contest between experienced goalkeepers awaits us on Sunday at San Siro. Ciprian Tătărușanu (36) and Pietro Terracciano (32) will be defending their respective goals from opposing attacking outfits. In last season's decisive clash between the two teams, a miracle save by Maignan and an error from Terracciano dictated the outcome of the match, which ended 1-0 in favour of the Rossoneri. This year, due to Mike's absence through injury, it will be up to the Romanian shot-stopper to protect the Rossoneri's goal once again, as he has done for the past eleven matches in all competitions. Tătărușanu approaches the match fresh off the back of a clean sheet obtained - without any major trouble - against Cremonese, whose Italian goalkeeper remained unbeaten in the last away trip. For Pioli and Italiano's sides, four clean sheets have been achieved so far: two for Tătărușanu and two for Maignan for AC Milan, the same split between Terracciano and Gollini for the Viola.

POSSESSION AND RAPID RECOVERY
Similar playing philosophies unite the two coaches. AC Milan and Fiorentina both favour possession - both teams having an above-average percentage - and attack their opponents with decision and intensity to lead them into mistakes and make themselves dangerous. AC Milan's possession in the last match (72.6%) proved too unproductive, however, and did not allow them to surprise Cremonese's organised backline, which sat very deep. In all likelihood, this will not be the case in Sunday's fixture, as the Viola also benefit from excellent dribbling and consistently maintain control of the ball - 59.1% on average in Serie A - and are unlikely to drop defensively as the Grigiorossi did. Bennacer and Amrabat are the favourites to dictate the pace and tempo in the set-up, not to mention the useful work they do in attack. Tonali and Mandragora the midfield duo called upon instead to assert themselves and regain possession higher up the pitch.

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