Milan, 11 May 2024 – One week after the home draw against Genoa, complete with a fan strike and the Curva Sud abandoning the stands 10 minutes from the end, the Milan – who hasn’t won since April 6th – will return this evening at 8.45pm (live on DAZN and Sky Sport) on the friendly lawn of San Siro to secure second place against a Cagliari in the midst of the fight for salvation: “We want to win again for many reasons – the Rossoneri coach explained in the press conference Stefano Pioli –. We come from a very long period without success. Second place is an important goal and we haven’t managed to achieve it yet. We are professionals and we must do it out of pride and a form of respect towards the club and the fans. The team is doing well even though it has been a long, demanding and complicated season. There are those who are better and have more energy obviously and I will try to field those who are in better condition and have more energy to try to interpret the match in the right way, with quality and concentration, and try to win it.” On the other hand, as underlined, a Cagliari of Ranieri looking for vital points to secure salvation: “The team is doing well – explained the Roman coach – by force of circumstances. We are aware that we will be playing for salvation in the next three matches. To find ourselves in this situation, we probably would have signed up three months ago and now we are ready. Decisive race? I don’t think so, I think the last match of the championship is and for this reason I hope that the League will play the three matches at the same time. Milan? He has so many champions. I certainly don’t find out. They score a lot from active balls. More than anyone. From our side, we will have to play an excellent match from every point of view, like against Inter, Atalanta and Juventus.”
The choices of Pioli and Ranieri
There are many new features from Mister Stefano Pioli who will switch to 4-3-3 and will leave several big names on the bench, revolutionizing the left chain in particular which has long been the Rossoneri’s strong point: In fact, Theo, Leao, captain Calabria and Tomori are out. Between the posts there will be Sportiello, who will have a defense in front of him made up of Kalulu, Gabbia, Thiaw and Florenzi. Musah and Reijnders will be the midfielders alongside Bennacer who should have directing duties, while Giroud will be at the center of the attacking trident with Chukwueze and Pulisic at his sides. Ranieri, forced to deal with the absences due to disqualification of Augello and Gaetano, will rely on the 4-2-3-1: Zappa, Mina, Dossena and Obert – deployed on the left – will be the four defenders to protect goalkeeper Scuffet. The barrier in front of the defense will instead be provided by Deiola and Sulemana, with Nandez, Oristanio and Luvumbo acting in the midfield, supporting the striker Shomurodov. Times and where to see the race: Milan-Cagliari, valid for the thirty-seventh day of the Serie A championship, it will be broadcast on Saturday 11 May at 8.45pm live on DAZN and SKy Sport.
Probable lineups:
Milan (4-3-3): Door; Kalulu, Thiaw, Gabbia, Florenzi; Musah, Reijnders, Bennacer; Chukwueze, Giroud, Pulisc. All. Pioli. Cagliari (4-2-3-1): Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Dossena, Obert; Deiola, Sulemana; Nandez, Oristanio, Luvumbo; Shomurodov. All. Ranieri
