Anteprima: The AC Milan Women vs AS Roma Femminile

The AC Milan Women will take on AS Roma this Sunday. The game will take place at 12:30 CET (3:30 am PST / 6:30 am EST).

Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the game.

The Background

AC Milan and AS Roma have met six times in Serie A Femminile. Milan has won five of the previous encounters and tied one.

The last time the two met was not in a league game. It was in the final of the Coppa Italia Femminile. Milan, unfortunately, lost that game on penalties.

The story so far this season is that Milan have won all one of their matches. Roma’s record is three wins and one loss. They are in fourth place on the table and this is because a previous match against Inter Milan was postponed. The reason why is that a few Inter players tested positive for COVID-19. They’ll have to replay the match at a later date and time.

So for now, Milan are ahead of Roma in the standings.

The Players

Despite their contrasting records, it would be absolute folly to underestimate Roma. The team have strengthened quite a lot over the summer. For starters, they brought in players like Lucia Di Guglielmo, a fast and strong centre-back who, at the age of 24, is already an experienced international. They have also signed Benedetta Glionna, a speedy forward who is talented enough to lead a line by herself. Then there are their homegrown talents, like Giada Greggi.

Greggi is a diminutive and quick forward who dribbles the ball like Bob Cousy on grass. She has excellent ball control which, when combined with her speed, makes her quite the attacking threat. Annamaria Serturni is another name to add to this list. The speedy winger is sure to give Milan’s defenders fits as she makes her runs on the wings.

The Giallorosse also have ex-Milan player, Thaisa Moreno, among their ranks. However, one could question the effectiveness of the signing. Thaisa regressed during her time at Real Madrid and has only started one match for Roma during the current campaign.

Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

With this in mind, it was understandable why Milan chose not to pursue their former player. They signed Greta Adami instead and one could argue that she has bolstered the Rossonere’s ranks.

Roma also have Manuela Giugliano among their ranks. Giugliano, if you recall, is one of Milan’s many Cases of The Ex. She has also been out of action for a few weeks as she’s been dealing with a persistent injury. So, the chances of her suiting up for the Giallorosse on Sunday are rather slim.

And lest you think that this will give Milan an advantage, that sentiment will be neutralized by the Rossonere’s own impediments. They will go into this Sunday’s game without their star defender Laia Codina. Codina, unfortunately, received a red card in the last match against Napoli.

The expulsion, therefore, disqualifies her for this weekend’s match.

The only silver lining in all of this is that her suspension will give Guðný Árnadóttir a chance to shine. Milan would be a lot stronger if the two of them were allowed to start a game together. Unfortunately, they won’t do so against Roma.

Possible Tactics

In the past, games against Roma would have seemed like a likely win for Milan on paper.

This year, however, things are more complicated. While both teams seem to be evenly matched, Roma has the gift of speed on their side. They will look to clog the middle and force the Diavole to send in long balls over the top.

Milan has also looked lost on the pitch and tactically inept at times. This is, in large part, due to the team having an inexperienced coach. Roma have the complete opposite problem, as their coach has proven to be quite competent in the past. In the end, Alessandro Spugna’s experience might prove to be the decisive factor over Maurizio Ganz.

After all, it was how they nearly came close to beating Juve. And yet, despite their best efforts, the Bianconere’s guile beat them in the end.

If the Rossonere are to have any hope of winning this match, it will be by playing in a compact, narrow shape that finds a way to neutralize the Giallorosse’s velocity. Milan will also have to pull on the experience of their older players like Vero and Laura Agard to get through this. They will need their knowledge and know-how to steady their nerves. They’ll also have to take advantage of Roma’s inability to be clinical in front of goal.

Roma will also be slightly demoralized after their loss against Juventus at home. Milan will still have the momentum of their last win over Napoli to carry them through this game.

They might come into the game spent though, given how much energy they expended securing a Pyrrhic victory over the Partenope.

Prediction

It’s hard to predict the final score for the match. However, don’t be surprised if Milan drops points during this game. Or just loses the match.

This is the first time ever that I’ve actually approached without much confidence in a Milan win. Still, it would be really nice if the team proved me wrong.

How To Watch

Since the game is the Match of The Week, you’ll be able to watch it for free on La7. You’ll also be able to watch it on the Dailymotion page afterward.

If you live in Italy, you’ll also be able to watch it on Milan TV and TimVision. If you live in Indonesia, it will be on Mola TV. And if you live in these ten countries, you’ll be to watch the match on ViaPlay.

Either way, let’s hope we end up enjoying the match instead of despairing over it.