Milan and Roma are both underperforming in Serie A this season, as they sit in 8th and 9th in the table respectively heading into this clash. Therefore, this means a lot more than perhaps it usually would. Going all the way in the Coppa Italia is probably the only thing these teams can do to delight their fans and may be the only way to qualify for Europe next season, with the competition for a place in the top six being fierce. Meanwhile, both teams face very tough playoff rounds in Europe with Milan drawn against Feyenoord in the Champions League and Roma facing Porto in the Europa League. Both teams will see this competition as a crucial target in their respective seasons.
There have been some high points for new Milan coach Sergio Conceicao since taking over, most notably beating Juventus and city rivals Inter to win the Supercoppa Italiana. On the other hand, drawing 1-1 with Cagliari and needing a 95th-minute goal to beat Parma have been less than convincing. Progressing to the semi-finals at the expense of Roma would go a long way to building some positive momentum for Conceicao and the Rossoneri.
Claudio Ranieri's Roma stepped up in January, going unbeaten in five matches, winning three and drawing two, including holding league leaders Napoli to a 1-1 and beating bitter rivals Lazio 2-0. Nonetheless, they are still well short of the top six going into this clash and will surely prioritise the Coppa Italia and Europa League going forward.
AC Milan vs Roma Team News
Milan are unable to call upon Alessandro Florenzi, Emerson Royal and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, all of whom are unavailable due to injury.
Roma should have a clean bill of health for this Coppa Italia quarter-final, apart from centre-back Gianluca Mancini who is suspended for this one.
AC Milan vs Roma Possible Lineups
The hosts may look to introduce new signing Santiago Gimenez into the front line for this one, but he will have to compete for a place with Tammy Abraham, who faces his former club Roma. Alvaro Morata and Davide Calabria have departed the club for Galatasaray and Bologna respectively.
AC Milan Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Musah, Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Gimenez, Leao
Roma attackers Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala were rested at the weekend but should return for this big clash. Veteran centre-back Mats Hummels could be in the heart of the defence in the absence of Mancini.
Roma Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Svilar; Rensch, Hummels, Ndicka, Angeliño; Kone, Cristante, Paredes; Saelemaekers, Dovbyk, Dybala
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
AC Milan vs Roma Prediction
Milan should make use of home advantage to put Roma to the sword and march on to the semi-finals. They have a new(er) manager bounce than Roma and Ranieri, Conceicao will want to win fans over by reaching another cup semi, and all told they do have the superior group of players.
Prediction: AC Milan 2 - 0 Roma
Two great coaches. Two great teams. A ticket to the semi-final of the Coppa Italia. What's not to like?
Fans in the UK can watch AC Milan vs Roma on TV and via live streaming on Premier Sports.
