And then we play. At home Milan, these days, the pitch seems to have taken a back seat, at least keeping up with the myriad of rumours already projected onto next season. This week there has been a lot of talk about the new sporting director (Paratici and Tare, the favourites, but watch out for surprises) and the coach, with Massimiliano Allegri in pole, little (or perhaps it would be better to say nothing) of Como, today's opponent in San Siro. The reason, evidently, is to be found in a very negative ranking that leaves little room for dreams of glory, and yet the championship still has 30 points up for grabs, enough to take nothing for granted.
Milan – Como (18pm, Dazn)
The Rossoneri will have the task of bringing attention back to the matches, thus putting aside the market rumours. Beating the As an, in this sense, it would be a first step, also because the weekend will offer two direct clashes as Fiorentina-Juventus e Bologna-LazioThree points today would not be enough to put the Devils back in the running for fourth place, but they would certainly make the standings more interesting, giving new life to the ambitions of Conceiçao. The Portuguese coach, as we will see shortly, has not taken well the many rumours about his hypothetical successor, convinced that he can still have his say for the next one season. It would take a half miracle, like qualifying for the next one Champions and win the Cup Italy, even if for some even this would not be enough. Sergio knows that, most likely, this is exactly the case, yet he still nurtures the dream of playing until the end, perhaps just to rehabilitate his image in view of the next transfer market. Although the Champions League objective still seems distant and almost unattainable, Conceiçao said he was satisfied with the team's training, where he noticed a particular intensity. Furthermore, for the first time in a long time, he had the entire group at his disposal with the exception of'injured Emerson Royal, since even the disappeared Loftus Cheek has finally returned to being available. A Milan with full ranks is therefore taking shape, ready to play for the remaining chances of Europe against Como Fabregas, another name that is definitely appreciated in the Via Aldo Rossi area.
Conceiçao: “The rumors about my future? Lack of respect, the accounts will be settled at the end”
“It's the second week that we don't have any midweek commitments and for us it was important to work on the game and physical situations that we needed – he explained Conceiçao -. The response from the group has been fantastic, the guys are happy and content. We are training on aspects that we have never worked on together before and it is important. We fight every day to evolve as a team, then the results will come. Let's think about the present, we have an important and difficult match against a good Como, I don't need to think too far ahead. Working with these guys is pleasant and we are doing it really well. The chatter about me? There has been a lot of talk about it not only now, but also in the last month and a half. I cannot control what others say and think; instead, I can control the players and prepare the matches. Sometimes it seems like there is a bit of a lack of respect, but I am used to it. The accounts are done at the end”.
Milan – Como, probable formations
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Thiaw, Cage, Hernandez; Bondo, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Gimenez
In bench: Sportiello, Torriani, Florenzi, Terracciano, Jimenez, Tomori, Pavlovic, Bartesaghi, Musah, Loftus-Cheek, Chukwueze, Joao Felix, Sottil, Jovic, Abraham
Coach: Conception
Unavailable: Emerson Royal
Disqualified: Nobody
As an (4-3-3): Butez; Smolcic, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Caqueret, Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Nico Paz, Strefezza
In bench: Vigorito, Reina, Dossena, Iovine, Vojvoda, Douvikas, Moreno, Sergi Roberto, Ikoné, Engelhardt, Braunoder, Fadera, Van der Brempt, Gabrielloni, Cutrone
Coach: Fabregas
Unavailable: Nobody
Disqualified: Nobody
