AC Milan to strengthen top 4 bid
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AC Milan host Cagliari on Sunday at San Siro. A win would take Milan into the top four ahead of Lazio who played on Thursday night. The two Italian giants are set to battle for the final Serie A Champions League place this term. Manager Gennaro Gattuso is under fire and a poor performance against Cagliari could see him shown the exit.
Milan have been inconsistent despite losing just four times all season. The Rossoneri have the third most draws in Serie A (nine), which has prevented them from solidifying a top four place. With all the money Milan have spent in the last two seasons on players, they desperately need Champions League football for financial reasons.
The Rossoneri are five games unbeaten with two of those matches ending in wins. Their last meeting against Cagliari came back in September and ended in a 1-1 draw with the Islanders. Cagliari are 15th in Serie A and four points above the relegation zone. Five of Cagliari’s last seven games have ended in defeat. Manager Rolando Maran has plenty of capable players such as Marco Sau, Leonardo Pavoletti, and Luca Cigarini. However, Cagliari haven’t been able to put together consistent form.
Cagliari have struggled against Milan in their last six meetings. Just once have the Islanders picked up a win. Milan have won four times while drawing once against Cagliari. Games have been close between the teams as Milan have scored 10 goals to Cagliari’s six in their six games. Both teams have seen two red cards in that timespan.
January transfer signing Krzysztof Piatek has been in excellent form for Milan. The Polish international has found the back of the net three times already. Two of those strikes came in the Coppa Italia. Piatek has blended well with the talent around him at Milan and he is likely to continue scoring goals.
Maran’s team averages just 0.9 goals per game as only 19 have been tallied after 22 games. Target man Pavoletti leads Cagliari in goals with seven. The 30-year-old has been key to Cagliari’s attack.
Pavoletti hasn’t scored in his last two matches and both ended in Cagliari losses. The striker’s goals have become more and more inconsistent, but when he does find the back of the net, Cagliari gain points. His last three goals have coincided with Cagliari obtaining points.
Unfortunately for Cagliari, Milan are too strong at home. The Rossoneri have collected 21 of 33 points at the San Siro. Cagliari have obtained just six of 33 points on the road and have lost three straight games away from home. Milan will win again dooming Cagliari to a fourth straight loss on the Italian mainland.
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