Sampdoria in Serie A on Sunday evening.
The Blucerchiati come into the game off a 2-0 victory over Udinese last weekend, and will hope to build off this momentum as they have struggled since losing star striker Eder to Inter in January. Vincenzo Montella’s troops currently occupy 15th place in the league table with just 36 points from 32 matches.
However, all eyes will be on the Rossoneri on Sunday, as AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi lost patience with Sinisa Mihajlovic and surprisingly replaced the Serbian with youth team coach and former midfielder Brocchi.
Prior to the dismissal of Mihajlovic, the Diavolo have failed to record a league victory since February. Despite their poor form, the club remain in 6th place with 49 points; although their chances of qualifying for European football next season are becoming increasingly slim.
Milan have already overcome Samp twice this season. In their first league meeting, Milan ran out easy winners over Sampdoria with a 4-1 victory. Then in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia, Milan tasted victory a second time with a 2-0 win en route to the final in May.
Coach Vincenzo Montella will be without defender Andrea Ranocchia who is serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, as well as Carlos Carbonero and Jacopo Sala who are both recovering from injury.
Brocchi will be without the services of striker M’Baye Niang. Niang’s absence will likely open the door for a starting spot for Mario Balotelli, who created an assist in his last performance against Juventus.
Form Guide: Sampdoria (W-D-L-D-W) AC Milan (L-L-D-D-L)
Sampdoria: Viviano, Diakite, Moisander, Silvestre, De Silvestri, Fernando, Krsticic, Dodo, Alvarez, Soriano, Quagliarella
AC Milan: Donnarumma, Abate, Alex, Romagnoli, Antonelli, Honda, Montolivo, Kucka, Bonaventura, Balotelli, Bacca
Infographic Source: www.sporticos.com
