Roma And Milan Clash In High Stakes Serie A Showdown

All eyes in Italy turned to the Stadio Olimpico on January 25, 2026, as Roma and Milan squared off in a Serie A showdown with major implications for the Scudetto race and Champions League qualification. With the evening Roman sky buzzing and the stakes sky-high, both sides entered the contest riding impressive form, but only one could seize the upper hand in this heavyweight clash.

Roma, under the stewardship of Gian Piero Gasperini, have transformed into one of Serie A’s most resilient outfits this season. The Giallorossi, currently sitting fourth in the table, entered the fixture on the back of three consecutive league victories, including an authoritative 2-0 win away at Torino on January 18. That victory not only avenged their Coppa Italia quarter-final exit to Torino but also gave them a three-point cushion over fifth-placed Juventus. Just days before facing Milan, Roma also dispatched Stuttgart 2-0 at home in the UEFA Europa League, taking a significant step toward direct qualification for the competition’s last 16. Gasperini’s tactical nous was on display, as he rotated key players like Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, Wesley, and Paulo Dybala during the midweek fixture, ensuring they’d be fresh for this crucial league encounter.

Consistency, however, hasn’t always been Roma’s best friend in 2026. While they’ve won four of their last six competitive matches, they’ve also dropped points in two. Still, their defensive solidity has been remarkable: Roma have conceded just 12 goals in 21 Serie A matches, the lowest tally in the division. The back three of Mancini, Ndicka, and Daniele Ghilardi—who stepped in for the injured Mario Hermoso—have been nearly impenetrable. In fact, Roma’s last three league wins have all come with clean sheets, putting them on the verge of four straight shutouts in Serie A for the first time since October 2013.

Up front, January signing Donyell Malen has made a swift impact, scoring on his debut against Torino. He led the line again against Milan, flanked by the creative duo of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. Gasperini’s likely midfield pairing of Cristante and Kouadio Koné, with Wesley and Zeki Çelik occupying the wings, provided a blend of steel and flair. There was a minor selection dilemma regarding whether Soulé or Lorenzo Pellegrini would start, but Soulé was tipped to get the nod after his recent performances.

Roma’s squad was not without its absentees. Mario Hermoso, out for a month with a muscular lesion, joined Artem Dovbyk, Angeliño, and the surprisingly omitted Devyne Rensch on the sidelines. Stephan El Shaarawy and Neil El Aynaoui returned to the bench, while new signing Robinio Vaz was also named among the substitutes. Despite some minor knocks, both Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ferguson were expected to feature.

For Milan, the stakes were equally high. The Rossoneri, led by Massimiliano Allegri, came into the match on a 20-game unbeaten streak in Serie A (13 wins, 7 draws), making them genuine Scudetto contenders. Their most recent outing saw them edge Lecce 1-0, with winter signing Niclas Fullkrug netting his first goal for the club. Milan, sitting second in the table, needed a win to keep pace with leaders Inter, who had pulled six points clear after a commanding 6-2 victory over Pisa the previous day.

While Milan have generally thrived in marquee fixtures, their Achilles’ heel has been dropped points against lower-ranked sides. Still, their away form has been formidable, with four wins and a draw in their last five league games on the road. Historically, Milan have enjoyed the upper hand in this matchup, boasting more Serie A victories over Roma than any other club—81 in total. In fact, Milan had only lost two of their last 16 top-flight meetings with Roma, though one of those defeats came at the Olimpico last season.

Allegri’s lineup saw a few notable tweaks. With Santiago Gimenez still sidelined, Alexis Saelemaekers—fresh off shaking off a thigh knock—started against his former loan club. Strahinja Pavlovic, still not at full fitness after a recent head injury, ceded his spot to Koni De Winter. The attacking duo featured Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku, while Luka Modric, returning from a brief absence, anchored the midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot and Samuele Ricci. Christian Pulisic, usually a fixture in the starting XI, was dropped to the bench, raising a few eyebrows among the Rossoneri faithful.

The official lineups reflected both teams’ intent to seize control of the midfield and dictate the tempo. For Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Çelik, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen. For Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Leao.

With so much at stake, the match was billed as a must-win for Milan to keep their title hopes alive and a potential turning point for Roma’s Champions League ambitions. The Giallorossi, eighth in Serie A in goals scored (26 in 21 games), faced a Milan side with the league’s second-best defensive record (16 goals conceded). Milan, meanwhile, boasted 34 goals scored, third in Serie A, and a formidable +18 goal differential. Roma had a +14 goal differential, reflecting their robust defense and improving attack.

Individual storylines added further intrigue. Kouadio Koné, Roma’s energetic midfielder, had scored twice in 21 appearances this season and was listed at +950 odds to find the net against Milan. For Milan, the partnership of Leao and Nkunku promised pace and creativity, while Modric’s return to the engine room was expected to provide control and experience.

As kickoff approached, the Olimpico crackled with anticipation. Could Roma finally claim a signature win over a top-four rival and tighten their grip on a Champions League berth? Or would Milan’s unbeaten run and superior firepower see them keep the pressure on Inter in the title race?

With both teams nearly at full strength—barring a handful of notable absentees—the stage was set for a classic. The outcome of this contest could reverberate throughout the rest of the campaign, shaping the destinies of two of Italy’s storied clubs. For now, the action at the Olimpico remains ongoing, and fans across the footballing world are glued to every moment as Roma and Milan battle for supremacy.