ROMA v AC MILAN: KEYS TO THE MATCH

The first leg represented the beginning of the most difficult period of the season, and the return leg will represent a new turning point: whether positive or negative will depend on the outcome. Much of the Rossoneri's qualification for the next Champions League will depend on Roma: beating them would mean pulling away from them, having just levelled them on points, with a month to go in the championship. Victory would be worth three points, but it would also be a message, to themselves and to their direct competitors. Who and what will decide such a delicate big match? Let's try to find out in advance.

SET PIECES AND THE AERIAL GAME
Remembering how it went three months ago is a great place to start. Up 2-0 after a game of clear dominance, AC Milan were caught out at the death. A travesty from which to extrapolate one issue in particular: set pieces. Both Ibañez's 1-2 and Abraham's 2-2 came from a set-piece, corner and free-kick. Roma are very strong and fearsome in taking advantage of every opportunity in the air, so the Rossoneri will need to take care - from the first to the 90th minute - in marking; a behaviour of the whole team, not just the defence. Between Banda's post and Osimhen's goal in the Champions League, something has been conceded recently in terms of aerial play in the middle of the box, an alarm to try and keep off at the Olimpico. One could respond with the same coin, because Giroud (vs Salernitana) and Leão (vs Lecce) invite us to be equally confident in this fundamental.

IN MEDIO STAT VIRTUS
Although they employ different formations and tactical approaches, the pair in the middle is a common factor. And decisive, assuming a lot of fight there in the middle. Roma have in physicality and aggressiveness some of their best-known and most used weapons: Cristante embodies them fully, an indispensable pivot in the phase of possession and out of possession. Not forgetting the Matić option. AC Milan will be ready for battle, as they have depth and substance in midfield: Tonali, Bennacer and Krunić are among the most fit men. The objective: to disrupt or at least offset the passing lines in the opponent's manoeuvres, the main way to ignite offensive actions. An important percentage of dominance will depend on the performance of this department, which would allow space and freedom to better organise ball control and attacks. Then Díaz and Pellegrini should also be mentioned, valuable wild cards for receiving difficult balls, breaking the lines and finding the opening.

FROM LEÃO TO DYBALA, SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS
A direct clash, the stakes are high. If up to now we have considered more group elements, it is impossible not to highlight the individuals. After all, it is the quality of certain players that has the greatest power to break the mould. Those featured players, technical and dangerous, expected but always unpredictable. Goal-scoring experts. For the Rossoneri, Leão is flying, 12 goals and 7 assists in the current championship. The Portuguese man is capable of lighting up in an instant and splitting the game, characteristics also found in Díaz who is always capable of finding gaps. For the Giallorossi, the leader is Dybala, not in perfect condition and probably expected to be on the bench at the start, but a man who can carry and with numbers practically identical to Rafa. If the Argentine is the flame, Pellegrini is the spirit capable of leading the group and making life easier.

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