AC Milan will face Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday night in the 2016 Coppa Italia final, attempting to salvage some pride at the conclusion of a disappointing season.
The Rossoneri have only won two out of six matches under new coach Cristian Brocchi but they come into the cup final on the back of an impressive 6-0 aggregate victory against Lega Pro side Alessandria, albeit achieved under Brocchi’s predecessor Sinisa Mihajlovic.
After sealing their fifth consecutive Serie A title, the Bianconeri now have the opportunity to win back-to-back doubles. While AC Milan had an easier passage to the final, Juventus fell to a surprising 3-0 second-leg defeat against Inter and required penalties to ultimately dispatch of the Nerazzurri.
While the Old Lady won their fist Coppa Italia title in 20 years last season, the Diavolo have not won the tournament since 2003. Both teams played each other in the 1990 final, Juventus emerging as 1-0 aggregate victors courtesy of a goal from Roberto Galia in the second leg.
Brocchi will be missing left-back Luca Antonelli with a leg injury while right-back Ignazio Abate is listed as doubtful. Bianconeri coach Massimiliano Allegri will be forced to made do without the services of Leonardo Bonucci, who is suspended, as well as Sami Khedira who is unavailable due to a calf injury.
It is a possibility that Brocchi could ditch the 4-3-1-2 formation in favour of a 4-3-3. The AC Milan defence is expected to consist mainly of youngsters including Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria while Keisuke Honda and Giacomo Bonaventura are expected to support Carlos Bacca in attack.
Allegri is likely to persist with his 3-5-2, with Patrice Evra and Alex Sandro fighting out for a spot on the left flank, while Stefano Sturaro could be given a start in the middle of the park. Neto has been the goalkeeper of choice throughout the tournament as is expected to be handed the starter’s gloves again.
Form Guide: AC Milan (D-L-D-W-L) Juventus (W-W-W-L-W)
Expected Starting XIs:
AC Milan: Donnarumma; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Kucka, Montolivo, Poli; Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura
Juventus: Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic
Infographic source: www.sporticos.com
