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A few months ago no one would have expected to see Milan in this position. The Rossoneri were trundling comfortably on towards a sixth place finish and Europa League football next season. That's all changed now, however, and Milan will need a lot of luck in order to have any chance of playing European football next year. In light of that, Luciano Spalletti's Roma are the last team Milan could have done with facing on the last day of the season. The Giallorossi are in great form, with four wins in their last five matches and Champions League football firmly within their sights. Milan, by contrast, have been especially poor in recent weeks, despite picking up a win against Bologna last weekend. Not only do Milan need to beat Roma, but Sassuolo must also lose against Inter in order for Milan to climb a spot in the standings and ensure a top-six finish. Unfortunately for Milanisti, that's a lot of variables.
Recent history favours Milan in this fixture, with Il Diavolo securing one win and two draws against Roma from three meetings across the last two seasons, including a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico back in January. However, Roma have looked revitalised under Spalletti and are unlikely to fold in the same way that they did in those other matches. In all honesty, given Milan's recent performances under Cristian Brocchi, there's little to suggest that the Rossoneri can get a result in this match. Hopefully some of the fighting spirit Sinisa Mihajlovic instilled in the team still remains, otherwise it will all be down to the Coppa Italia final.
Giacomo Bonaventura is expected to return to the starting line-up for the match, having missed the last few weeks due to a thigh injury. Honda will most likely drop to the bench as a result. However, Brocchi is expected to name an unchanged lineup otherwise. Davide Calabria could be in line for another start at right back despite a shaky performance against Bologna. Luca Antonelli and Jeremy Menez will both miss the match because of injury as well. Roma will be missing William Vainqueur, Seydou Keita and Diego Perotti, but are expected to field a full strength lineup despite this. Hopefully Francesco Totti remains consigned to the bench, as his recent form suggests he could be a decisive factor in the match should he make an appearance. Sixth place is undoubtedly a long shot for Milan, but hopefully the players will give their best. A bit of luck wouldn't hurt either.
Predicted line-Ups
Milan: 4-3-1-2 - Gianluigi Donnarumma; Davide Calabria, Alex, Alessio Romagnoli, Mattia De Sciglio; Juraj Kucka, Riccardo Montolivo, Jose Mauri, Giacomo Bonaventura; Mario Balotelli, Carlos Bacca.
Roma: Wojciech Szczesny; Alessandro Florenzi, Kostas Manolas, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Digne; Miralem Pjanic, Daniele De Rossi, Radja Nainggolan; Mohamed Salah, Edin Dzeko, Stephane El Shaarawy.
How To Watch
Where: San Siro, Milan.
When: 20.45pm local, 14.45pm EST, 14 May 2016.
TV: SKY Calcio 1 (Italy), BT Sport Europe (UK), beIN Sports USA (USA)
Online: SKY Go Italia (Italy), BT Sport )UK), beIN Sports Connect (USA)
International listings can be viewed here.
Score Prediction
No false optimism here, it would take something extraordinary for Milan to beat Roma right now. Expect another bore draw.
Milan 1-1 Roma.