AC MILAN v MONZA: OPPONENT REVIEW

AC Milan face back-to-back Lombardy derbies and this week's promises to carry with it particular emotional weight. On Sunday 17 December, AC Milan and Monza meet for the first time in Serie A since the passing of Silvio Berlusconi. The Brianzoli are in great form going into it too, as they currently sit in ninth position having lost just twice in their last twelve outings in the league.

Since the second half of September, AC Milan have only lost to Roma and Juventus, with four wins and six draws completing their record in that period. The defeat to Roma on 22 October was also their only defeat in their last five away games in Serie A, following a run of three straight losses away from home prior to that. While Monza's form will give them hope, the same cannot be said for their record in Serie A against AC Milan: the Rossoneri beat the Brianzoli home and away last season with an aggregate scoreline of 5-1.

POSSESSION AND PRECISE PASSAGES OF PLAY
Since taking the reins on matchday 7 last season, Raffaele Palladino has given his side clear impetus, which is founded on some of the principles already internalised by the Biancorossi. Monza are a team that like to keep hold of the ball, patiently waiting for an opening, through which to strike. And don't just take our word for it: Monza have entered the opposition penalty area after moves of ten or more passes on 51 occasions, fewer only than Inter (55) this season.

Obviously, this style of play is dependent on Monza's technical players, and the Biancorossi aren't that far off the Rossoneri in terms of precision. AC Milan and Monza are, in fact, two of the four teams with the highest pass completion rate in the league this season: 86.4% for the Brianzoli and 86.2% for the Rossoneri, behind only Napoli and Inter (both with 87%). Both teams' desire to keep possession means we'll probably see the ball kept on the deck, rather than going for long balls. Monza have made only 178 crosses from open play, just three more than AC Milan, and only six sides have fewer in 2023/24.

UNBEATABLE DI GREGORIO, DANGEROUS COLPANI AND CAUTION WITH COLOMBO
AC Milan will have to contend with the fourth-best defence in the league this season. Monza have conceded just 14 goals this season, fewer only than Inter (seven), Juventus (nine) and Bologna (12). Among the reasons for this defensive impermeability is Michele Di Gregorio, who has produced a raft of stunning stops this season. The Monza goalkeeper has helped his team to greatly outperform their expected goals conceded. With Di Gregorio in net, Monza have allowed an xG of 17.91 but conceded 13 goals, for a difference of 4.91 (the highest of any keeper in Serie A in 2023/24).

Sticking with the topic of key performers for the Brianzoli in the first few months of the season, a special mention has to go to Andrea Colpani, who has been lethal with his late runs into the box. The Monza star has the most goals of any midfielder who has scored 100% of their goals from open play this season (6/6). AC Milan youth product Lorenzo Colombo will also feature for the guests. Unlike his teammate, Colpani, Colombo has scored all of his goals this season away from home: at the Mapei Stadium in October and a brace at the Bentegodi in November. The Meazza, the stadium in which he made his Serie A debut, will be a lucrative and enticing stage for the 2002-born centre-forward.

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