AC Milan Eye Serie A Lead Against Struggling Pisa

London, UK – AC Milan, the formidable Italian giants, are set to lock horns with a beleaguered Pisa side in a crucial Serie A fixture on Friday evening. With the Scudetto race intensifying, every point is paramount for Stefano Pioli's men, who will be looking to capitalise on any slip-ups from league leaders Inter Milan.

Match Preview: Second-Top vs. Second-Bottom

The Rossoneri currently sit second in the Serie A standings, eight points adrift of their city rivals, Inter Milan. However, with a game in hand, a victory against Pisa could narrow that deficit to a more manageable five points, injecting fresh impetus into their title aspirations. Pisa, on the other hand, find themselves languishing at the wrong end of the table, battling for survival in Italy's top flight.

Milan's Unbeaten Serie A Run

AC Milan boasts an impressive unbeaten streak in Serie A, stretching back 22 matches since an opening-day defeat to Cremonese. This remarkable run is the longest ongoing sequence across Europe's top five leagues, underscoring their consistency and resilience. Their only defeats since August have come in cup competitions, highlighting their domestic dominance.

A Historic Encounter and a Familiar Foe

The upcoming fixture marks the first league meeting between Pisa and AC Milan in 34 years. The reverse fixture in October ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Zachary Athekame's late strike denying Pisa a famous victory at San Siro. Historically, Pisa has struggled against AC Milan in Serie A, with a dismal record of three draws and ten defeats.

Pisa's Survival Battle

Pisa's return to Serie A has been a challenging one, with the club currently six points from safety. Their campaign has yielded only one win so far, leading to the recent sacking of manager Alberto Gilardino. New coach Oscar Hiljemark faces a monumental task in his first role with significant experience, tasked with galvanising a squad that has struggled for goals, particularly at home.

Tactical Outlook and Team News

AC Milan appears to have a relatively full squad at their disposal, with Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers nearing returns from injury. The availability of Saelemaekers, should he overcome an adductor issue, would provide a significant boost to the wing-back options. This leaves few players sidelined, allowing manager Max Allegri a wealth of tactical choices.

Forward Options for Milan

In attack, Milan has a wealth of talent to choose from. Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Fullkrug, and Rafael Leao are all in contention for attacking roles. Ruben Loftus-Cheek's recent performance in an advanced position against Bologna suggests flexibility in their offensive setup. Adrien Rabiot, a key midfielder, has also been a significant contributor with seven Serie A goal involvements away from home.

Pisa's Goal-Scoring Woes

Conversely, Pisa has found the back of the net sparingly this season. January signing Rafiu Durosinmi has shown promise, contributing to two of their three home goals. Stefano Moreo remains their leading scorer with five goals. However, the team's overall offensive output has been a major concern.

Injury Concerns and Suspensions for Pisa

Pisa faces a more significant challenge on the injury front. Raul Albiol, Daniel Denoon, and Isak Vural are all on the treatment table. Goalkeepers Simone Scuffet and Adrian Semper have been ruled out, and Marius Marin must serve a one-match suspension, further depleting their options.

Predicted Lineups

Pisa possible starting lineup: Nicolas; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Angori; Tramoni, Moreo; Durosinmi

AC Milan possible starting lineup: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek; Nkunku

Score Prediction

Given AC Milan's formidable form, their attacking depth, and Pisa's struggles, the Rossoneri are heavily favoured to secure all three points. Unlike their previous encounter, Milan is expected to be more clinical and secure a victory to keep their title hopes alive.

We say: Pisa 0-2 AC Milan

With a well-rested squad and multiple attacking options, AC Milan has the firepower to overcome a limited Pisa side. This victory would allow them to maintain pressure on Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table.