AC Milan will look to improve on their recent run of poor form when they take on Zdenek Zemans Cagliari side on Sunday at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
The Rossoneri have not managed to achieve a league victory since February 22 and the pressure is now really beginning to mount on coach Filippo Inzaghi. There has already been considerable speculation regarding the 41-year-olds future and talk of a Summer departure has only increased after last weeks 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina.
Meanwhile, the Rossoblu have already experienced a number of coaching changes this season and the recent return of Zemenlandia has brought back an air of confidence among the Isolani. This reinvigorated side displayed signs of life last week after they put in an impressive display against a promising Empoli side. It was only due to a 92nd minute equaliser that prevented the Rossoblu from obtaining their first league victory since January 24.
The Rossoneri on the other hand have the opportunity to move into the top seven if they achieve a victory this weekend and this will certainly be something that Inzaghi will be striving for if he is to relieve some of the weight that is currently bearing heavily on his shoulders.
As for the previous match-up between the two sides, Zeman will be buoyed by the fact that his side forced a 1-1 draw out of the Milanese outfit earlier on this season. However he will be aware that Cagliari have lost all ten of their previous away matches against Milan.
The game is sure to be one that promises goals and each coach will be eager for their attackers to threaten the opposition defence. The Diavolo in particular will be keen to put a few goals past their 18th place opponents and will look to top-scorer Jeremy Menez to improve on his current tally of 13 goals.
January signing Mattia Destro will also be looking to earn yet another start in attack after he managed to get on the score-sheet in last weeks defeat against La Viola.
As for the travelling side Zeman will want to attack as always and will look to his joint top-scorers Marco Sau and Joao Pedro [who scored in last week’s match against Empoli] as the players to infiltrate the home defence.
Milan will still be missing Riccardo Montolivo for the match as he remains injured, where as Cagliari will be without their in-form defender Antonio Balzano due to a suspension.
Form Guide: AC Milan (L-D-W-D-D-L) Cagliari (L-D-L-L-L-D)
Expected starting XI’s
AC Milan: Lopez; Antonelli, Mexes, Paletta, Abate; Bonaventura, Essien, Poli; Menez, Honda, Destro.
Cagliari: Brkic; Avelar, Diakite, Ceppitelli, Pisano; Cossu, Pedro, Dessena; Mpoku, Farias, Sau.
