Chievo vs AC Milan: The Flying Donkeys hope to frustrate the Diavolo
AC Milan will be hoping to rebound from disappointment last weekend as they travel to face Chievo at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi this Sunday.
The Rossoneri again found Sassuolo to be their stumbling block as they fell to a 2-0 defeat. The bad result marked the end of a nine-match unbeaten run and was the first game that Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men were unable to score. Not surprisingly, despite guiding Milan into their first Coppa Italia final since 2003, the press began buzzing with speculations surrounding his future. However, for now, the Serbian tactician will be keen on making sure that the team get back on track this weekend.
Fortunately for AC Milan, Juventus downed Sassuolo 1-0 this past Friday, meaning that last round’s defeat did not affect their standing in the table. Nonetheless, sixth place is not where the ever-demanding president Silvio Berlusconi expects to see the team at the end of the season. And for Diavolo fans, who have now had to go two seasons sans continental football, they certainly be happy to see their team with a possible route back into Europe.
Still – note the key word – possible. AC Milan will have to face Juventus in this season’s Coppa Italia final, and the Bianconeri, who are the reigning champions, will be loath to give up that trophy without a fight. Hence, a finish in the top five is an absolute must. Berlusconi may be dreaming of the Champions League, but first the team must obviously break into the upper quintet of sides in the European spots. And the only way, naturally, to do so is to start winning, something that will have to start against Chievo.
With just ten games remaining, the visitors will certainly like to emulate Juventus and go on a 10-match winning streak between now and the end of the season. However, Rolando Maran’s Chievo will be hoping to overcome their decade long hoodoo against the Rossoneri. If AC Milan fans are beginning to find Sassuolo a nuisance, then imagine how Flying Donkeys supporters must feel when having to face the Diavolo: they must be utterly frustrated.
And who can blame them? They have lost 20 times against Milan – more than any other side – and have not picked up a win over their visitors since December 3, 2005. Since then, they have lost 16 out of their 18 matches, including the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Still, football indeed is an unpredictable thing and Chievo did manage to record a 0-0 draw in this same corresponding fixture last season. And for a side whose sole objective is safety, Maran’s squad are well on their way to achieving that. With 34 points, they are just outside the top ten, but can work their way back into the upper half of the table with at least a draw.
Will Milan rebound after their setback? Or will Chievo finally end their decade-long wait for a win?
MORE: You can watch Chievo v AC Milan live with FuboTV 24-hour game pass FREE.
