AC MILAN V SAMPDORIA: DUELS

This will be a difficult, tight affair and will need to be approached with the correct mentality. At San Siro, the Rossoneri host Sampdoria at 12:30 CET, a team clearly on the up and always a difficult proposition whenever AC Milan face them. The outcome of the match, whoever it favours, will be determined by many small duels, challenges within a challenge. Let's take a look at four of the most interesting.

DAVIDE CALABRIA vs BARTOSZ BERESZYŃSKI
A muscle injury kept Davide out of the squad for months, but since his return to the pitch on 17 January against Spezia, his performances have improved from game to game. In the derby against Inter, he mustered the assist for Giroud's second, and against Lazio, he was immovable on his side of the pitch. This season he has worn the captain's armband on 8 occasions, scored 2 goals and assisted 2. The absence of Theo Hernández through suspension could push him over to the left side, where he'll be up against the Pole, Bereszyński, fresh from signing a new contract with Sampdoria until 2025. Bartosz is a stalwart in the team's defence, who are now coached by Giampolo. He is always reliable and the best Dorian when it comes to tackling (40).

FIKAYO TOMORI vs OMAR COLLEY
Both are returning, but for different reasons. Fik got a few minutes under his belt in the Coppa Italia against Lazio after spending time on the sidelines due to a knee injury. Colley returned to the starting lineup on Sunday against Sassuolo following his time with the Gambia national team at AFCON. In alignment with his return, Sampdoria returned to victory after 4 defeats on the bounce. Omar plays an almost invaluable role in Samp's rearguard: he is in fact Sampdoria's leader for passes in his own half (516), clearances (84) and interceptions (61). Tomori didn't start in AC Milan v Genoa on 13 January in the Coppa Italia but could find his first minutes in Serie A of 2022 this weekend. In this 2021/22 season, the English defender leads the Rossoneri leaderboard for most passes (947), tackles (40), defensive blocks (50) and intercepted balls (26).

RAFAEL LEÃO vs ANTONIO CANDREVA                                                                                                                                                   It has been a fantastic season for both of these players. Rafa confirmed his excellent form with 1 goal and 1 assist (for Giroud) in the Coppa Italia against Lazio, thus improving his season tally, which now stands at 9 goals and 7 assists in all competitions. The Portuguese is still the Rossoneri player with the most attempted dribbles (88) and shots on target (21). The next game will also be his 100th for AC Milan in all competitions. There are also many statistics that support Antonio Candreva's so far remarkable season: he is the player to have created the most chances for his teammates (62) in the league this season and he is also the player to have had a hand in the second-most shots total (116), just behind Domenico Berardi (119). Candreva has hit the woodwork more than all bar one other player in the league (4) and has scored 7 goals and has 7 assists in Serie A. He contributed to three goals in the most recent match against Sassuolo (one goal and two assists), which is one more than in his previous eight games (two assists).

OLIVIER GIROUD vs FRANCESCO CAPUTO
Two veterans in front of goal. Oli has already scored 6 goals in 2022, between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, and even scored two braces in his last two games played. His goals decided the Derby in true striker's fashion and he also stole the limelight against Lazio. One particular statistic will interest him, however: he has scored seven goals in the league, all at Meazza and he is one of five players to have scored in just the single stadium, along with Allan Saint-Maximin, Antonio Sanabria, Mattia Aramu and Lorenzo Insigne. Leading Sampdoria's attacking line will be Ciccio Caputo, who has been caught offside (26) more than any other player in this championship season. The Sampdoria striker has scored 2 goals in his last 3 games (as many as in the previous 12) but he has not scored in consecutive Serie A matches since March 2021 (four in this instance).

Match KITs, clothing, accessories, gift ideas and much more: visit AC Milan online Store!