AC MILAN v CAGLIARI: MATCH PREVIEW

The desire to return to winning ways, the pride in giving it all until the end. The dual objective of securing second place and also qualification for the Italian Super Cup. This is what AC Milan v Cagliari means, an important fixture at a crucial moment. Let's head towards the evening at San Siro with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
AC Milan haven't smiled for a month, since before the Europa League Quarterfinals. It's necessary to chase success, especially playing at San Siro again after Genoa, to redeem themselves in front of their own fans. The Rossoneri can still aim to reach 80 points, a symbolic but nonetheless motivating figure. Second position and access to the next Supercoppa are not yet mathematically secured, but this could be the right weekend. Loftus-Cheek and Maignan remain unavailable, as well as Kjær and Mirante. Calabria is expected to return, likely to start on the bench, along with Musah. There might be room again for Sportiello and Chukwueze, with possible adjustments in midfield and some changes overall. Giroud will remain upfront. The only player on a yellow card warning is Gabbia.

Coach Pioli said in his pre-game press conference: "We want to return to winning. For ourselves, for the Club, and for the fans. The second place is still an important objective. We are motivated to play this game. The team is in good shape, nobody has told me they want to pull back before the end of the season, the squad is available and engaged."

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LATEST FROM CAGLIARI
Cagliari are in the midst of a relegation battle, currently sitting three points clear of the relegation zone. Every point can make a difference, and those up for grabs in Milan are difficult but very significant. The Rossoblù have put behind them the 1-1 draw at home against Lecce. Bittersweet because, despite being down to ten men, Krstović's goal came late after Mina's opener. Mina himself doesn't seem to be fully fit, but should make it. Petagna and Pavoletti are also not fully fit, with Mancosu still recovering from injury. Absentees include Jankto, Makoumbou, and Viola, while Augello and Gaetano are suspended. There are some line-up issues, and Ranieri will likely deploy the 3-5-2 formation, with Scuffet in goal, Luvumbo, and Nández in the mix.

Ranieri said in his pre-game press conference: "We're in good shape. We're playing for our season, and we're ready to fight. AC Milan have many champions, so we'll need to put in an excellent performance. Have we missed a striker? Perhaps, but above all, we've conceded too much defensively. We need to be more attentive". 

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PRE-MATCH NUMBERS

• Since the 1998/99 season, AC Milan have 17 victories and 2 draws against Cagliari. This yields an average of 2.79 points per game, the highest in the competition against a single opponent faced at least fifteen times at home.
• 1-0 is the most frequent scoreline, the most recent being 19 March 2022.
• AC Milan (96%) and Cagliari (95%) are the teams to have scored most of their goals from inside the penalty area.
• Rafael Leão has provided eight assists in the Serie A this season, matching his record from the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. The Portuguese player is the only one with 4 goals and 4 assists in the league in 2024.
• The first of Noah Okafor's six goals in Serie A came against Cagliari on 27 September. It was also his only goal while starting. 

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WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN v CAGLIARI
In Italy, the match will be broadcast by DAZN, Sky and NOW. To watch AC Milan v Cagliari in a different country, you can consult the "AC Milan on TV" webpage, by clicking on the heading "Abroad". On the Rossoneri channels, Milan TV will provide live matchday coverage starting from 20:00 CEST and continuing up until shortly before kick-off. After full-time, there will be interviews and Coach Pioli's press conference. Also, not to be missed is the coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, our official Social Media profiles and WhatsApp.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Simone Sozza will be the referee for AC Milan v Cagliari. The 36-year-old has taken charge of 43 Serie A matches. He has officiated two previous matches for the Rossoneri, Inter v AC Milan in 2023 and AC Milan v Fiorentina in 2022. He has also officiated two for the Rossoblù (Cagliari v Roma in 2023 and Cagliari v Napoli in 2022). Carbone and Giallatini will be the linesmen, while Tremolada will perform the role of the fourth official. Irrati, assisted by Chiffi, will oversee VAR.

Frosinone 0-5 Inter kicked off Serie A Matchday 36. Saturday at 18:00 CEST Napoli v Bologna, at 20:45 CEST AC Milan v Cagliari. Sunday at 12:30 CEST Lazio v Empoli, 15:00 CEST Genoa v Sassuolo and Hellas Verona v Torino, at 18:00 CEST Juventus v Salernitana and at 20:45 CEST Atalanta v Roma. Monday at 18:30 Lecce v Udinese and, to conclude the Matchday, Fiorentina v Monza at 20:45 CEST.

Current league table: Inter* 92; AC Milan 71; Juventus 66; Bologna 64; Atalanta° and Roma 60; Lazio 56; Napoli 51; Fiorentina° 50; Torino 47; Monza 45; Genoa 43; Lecce 37; Hellas Verona 34; Cagliari 33; Frosinone* and Empoli 32; Udinese 30; Sassuolo 29; Salernitana 15. (*= a game in hand; °= one less game played)

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