AC MILAN v ROMA: OPPONENT REVIEW

After getting past Slavia Praha in the round of 16, AC Milan now face Roma in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in an all-Italian derby, which has not occured in the competition since 2014/15, when the Giallorossi were knocked out by Fiorentina in the round of 16 of that edition (1-1 in the first leg, 3-0 for the Viola in the return leg at the Olimpico). AC Milan enter this crucial stage of their European campaign in excellent shape. The Rossoneri have won seven in a row in all competitions, with 17 goals scored against just five conceded, and could potentially get the most number of wins in succession in a single season for the first time since the period between February and March 2005 (nine in that case, under Carlo Ancelotti).

Roma have kept the back door shut in their last three matches (W2, D1) and have not had more clean sheets in a single season since October 2017. Looking at the Giallorossi's European performances away from home, however, we can see the difficulties in achieving a positive result on the road. In fact, Roma have won only two of their last 14 away matches in the main European competitions (6D, 6L). Pioli's side have won their two home Europa League matches this season and could grab three home victories in a row in the tournament for the first time ever (excluding preliminary qualifying games). The last time the Rossoneri achieved three consecutive home win in a single edition dates back to the old 2001/02 UEFA Cup (three victories in the first three matches against BATĖ Borisov, CSKA Sofia and Sporting Lisbon).

THE AERIAL GAME AND SET-PIECES
Despite a change in the dugout, from Mourinho to De Rossi, Roma have shown that they still keep some characteristics intact in the way they interpret both sides of the game. The Giallorossi are a team used to making the most of both aerial plays and forwards runs following set-pieces. It is no coincidence then that Roma are one of the two teams to have scored the most headed goals in this season’s Serie A: twelve including the most recent one in the Rome derby scored by Mancini last weekend.

The Romans have also scored 19 goals from dead-ball situations, less than only Inter in the current campaign (23). However, there are not only positive numbers for AC Milan's next European opponents, given that the Giallorossi team have shown varying difficulty in managing the ball, especially in their own half of the pitch, conceding 52 shots on goal following a high recovery (first in this negative ranking in Serie A 2023/24) and conceding four goals from these situations. It is a important element for Pioli's lads, who have already shown that they know how to take advantage of counterattacks and direct forward play, resulting in the team having the most direct attacks in this year’s Serie A (68).

DYBALA IN EXCELLENT FORM AND LUKAKU ALWAYS A THREAT
The main architect of the Giallorossi's fortunes this season and their most dangerous player still remains Paulo Dybala. In his career, the Argentine has actively participated in 13 goals against AC Milan in all competitions (eight goals and five assists) and since his arrival in Italy (July 2012) only Berardi (18) has had more direct involvement in a goal than the Argentinian against the Rossoneri. This season "Joya" is one of the two Giallorossi players - together with strike partner, Romelu Lukaku - to have taken part in the most goals in the league and cups: 22 each with 14 goals and eight assists for Dybala, and 18 goals and four assists for the Belgian.

The latter has demonstrated time and again his feeling for San Siro. The former Inter player has scored 39 goals in 70 games at this stadium, less than the career tally he boasts at Goodison Park (48) with clubs from Europe’s top-five leagues. In addition to the two best Giallorossi scorers this season, another mention must be made for one of the former players of this match, Stephan El Shaarawy: the Giallorossi winger has provided five assists in nine appearances in this Europa League campaign - after providing only one in 29 previos matches in the competition - thus becoming the only Roma player, and also the only Italian one, to have collected five assists in a single edition of the tournament.

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