10 STATISTICS AHEAD OF AC MILAN V SAMPDORIA

The Rossoneri are set to take to the pitch for the first time in 2020: Coach Pioli's men are playing Sampdoria at San Siro this afternoon in Serie A after ending 2019 with seven points from four matches, the latter of which was a heavy defeat in Bergamo. The objective is clear: get back to winning ways and start off the new year in the right fashion against a side who have begun to climb the table. Last season, the Diavolo came from behind to beat the Blucerchiati 3-2 on home soil in what was an exciting clash. Here are 10 facts that you need to know ahead of the Rossoneri's 18th Serie A match of the season.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS AT SAN SIRO

1- AC Milan have a good record against Sampdoria at San Siro: the Rossoneri have won 40 times, drawn ten and lost on just eleven occasions when they've faced the Blucerchiati on home soil. Furthermore, the Diavolo have kept a clean sheet in 14 of their last 26 home games against Sampdoria in Serie A.

2- The Rossoneri have won seven of their past ten home league fixtures against Sampdoria in Serie A (one draw, two defeats).

GENERAL STATISTICS

3- In the 21st century, the Diavolo have won 15 of the 19 games they've played at the start of the calendar year (two draws, two defeats). They've emerged victorious and kept a clean sheet in the last three of these fixtures.

4- AC Milan have had recent success against Sampdoria during the first half of the season: the Rossoneri have won four of the last six games they've played against the Blucerchiati before the halfway stage.

5- Sampdoria have been defeated 63 times in 122 meetings against AC Milan in Serie A. There have been 29 draws between the sides, with the last coming in April 2015. Since then, there have been five Rossoneri wins and three Blucerchiati victories.

PLAYER FOCUS

6- Giacomo Bonaventura has scored four goals against Sampdoria in Serie A. Napoli (five) are the only team he's found the net more against in the Italian top flight.

7- Should Theo Hernández score, he would become the first AC Milan defender to score at least five goals in a single Serie A season since Christian Panucci, who achieved this feat in the 1995/96 campaign.

8- Ismaël Bennacer is the Rossoneri player who has been involved in the most challenges (27) this season. His next appearance will be his 50th in Serie A.

COACH FOCUS

9- Stefano Pioli is undefeated against Claudio Ranieri in Serie A having beaten his Italian counterpart once and drawn against him twice. Furthermore, Pioli's sides scored at least two goals in each of these three matches.

10- AC Milan have scored a total of 32 goals in 19 matches against teams coached by Claudio Ranieri, making the Rossoneri the team Ranieri has seen his sides concede the most against.

Remember that tickets are on sale for the home games against Sampdoria, Udinese and Hellas Verona. Buy yours now and save with our mini season tickets! See you at San Siro!