On December 29, 2024, AC Milan will host AS Roma at the legendary San Siro stadium for a thrilling Serie A showdown. The match, part of the 18th round of Italy's premier football league, carries significant importance for both teams as they look to shake off inconsistent performances from the first half of the season.
Milan, managed by Paulo Fonseca, currently sits at eighth place with 26 points, trailing the league leaders Atalanta by a substantial 15 points. Their campaign has been marked by some impressive displays, such as their Champions League victories over Real Madrid, but they’ve struggled for consistency domestically. Recent results have raised concerns among fans; the team drew 0-0 with Genoa and edged out Verona 1-0. Such low-scoring matches have left fans craving more offensive fireworks from the Rossoneri.
Meanwhile, AS Roma, under the revitalizing leadership of Claudio Ranieri, managed to recover from a rough patch and now occupies the tenth spot, amassing 19 points. The team has shown significant improvement recently, winning two out of their last three Serie A matches, including a spectacular 5-0 victory over Parma. This resurgence has kindled hopes among supporters as they seek to bridge the gap to the European competition slots.
The upcoming encounter promises to be intense. Historically, Milan has had the upper hand against Roma, with 85 wins out of 200 matches played, compared to Roma's 54. Last season, Milan triumphed both times they faced the Giallorossi in the league, winning 2-1 and 3-1 respectively. Yet, Roma showed their mettle by defeating Milan twice during their Europa League quarterfinal meetings, leading to speculation on how the teams will fare against each other this time.
Bookmakers slightly favor AC Milan to win this encounter, with odds placed at 2.20 for the home side, whereas Roma's odds stand at 3.20. Predictions suggest it could be a high-scoring affair, with recent stats indicating over 70 percent chance of both teams scoring. Bets on over 2.5 goals have received strong suggestions as well.
Fans will also have their eyes on key players as matchday approaches. Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Roma's Paulo Dybala are expected to play pivotal roles. Dybala’s creative play will be key to Roma’s attack, whereas Milan will rely on their strong defensive unit to keep Roma’s threats at bay.
Kick-off is scheduled for 22:45 Moscow time, and the match will be available for live streaming. Both teams will surely want to claim three points not only for the league standing but for pride as they face their historic rivals.
This match is not just another Serie A fixture; it's a clash filled with psychological stakes and ambitions as both teams move forward, reflecting the spirit and passion of Italian football.