Brescia AC Milan
Stadio Mario Rigamonti, Brescia
Friday, 24-01-2020 @10:45pm
Mario Balotelli is suspended following his temper tantrum, so won’t face his former club, as Milan try to build on their improving form against Brescia.
Balotelli fell back into his old routine during last week’s 2-2 draw with Cagliari, as he had been on the field for only seven minutes when booked for a high boot, then immediately shown another yellow card for insulting the referee. He received a two-match ban, so will miss both this encounter and the fixture with Bologna.
This means Ernesto Torregrossa will start again, fresh from his impressive brace, with Alfredo Donnarumma. For those wondering, Brescia forward Alfredo Donnarumma is not related to Milan goalkeepers Gianluigi and Antonio Donnarumma, but they do hail from the same region. It’s likely January signing Simon Skrabb will get his first start in the trequartista role.
Milan have really turned a corner since moving to a 4-4-2 formation and bringing in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, winning three games in a row between Serie A and the Coppa Italia. The 3-2 victory over Udinese was a dramatic one, Ante Rebic coming off the bench to score twice, including the last-gasp winner. He could well get the nod in the starting XI this time, stepping on for Jack Bonaventura, with Samu Castillejo impressing on the right.
Ibrahimovic and Rafael Leao are forming a solid partnership, while Simon Kjaer adds experience to the defence. Mateo Musacchio, Hakan Calhanoglu, Lucas Biglia and Leo Duarte are on the treatment table.
Milan are unbeaten against Brescia since a 1-0 defeat at the Rigamonti in May 2003, followed by nine wins and two draws in all competition. That includes the last seven victories on the bounce.
The upcoming Serie A games
Saturday, 25-01-2020
-SPAL vs Bologna @5pm
-Fiorentina vs Genoa @8pm
-Torino vs Atalanta @10:45pm
Sunday, 26-01-2020
-Inter Milan vs Cagliari @2:30pm
-Hellas Verona vs Lecce @5pm
-Sampdoria vs Sassuolo @5pm
-Parma vs Udinese @5pm
-Roma vs Lazio @8pm
-Napoli vs Juventus @10:45pm
