Milan will be eager to claim the top spot in Serie A when they take on Cagliari at the Unipol Domus. This matchup comes on the heels of a dominating 3-0 victory against Hellas Verona, where Christian Pulisic opened the scoring, and Christopher Nkunku secured his first goals for the club with a brace.
Currently, Milan is just one point behind league leaders Inter, and the opportunity to reclaim the top position hinges not just on their performance but also on any potential slip-ups from their rivals. With Napoli, Roma, and Juventus closely trailing just behind, the battle for the leadership spot is heating up.
After a challenging start to the season, which included a 2-1 defeat to Cremonese, the Rossoneri have found their rhythm, going on a remarkable 14-match unbeaten streak. Fans are optimistic as the team appears revitalized compared to the disappointing end of the previous campaign. Massimiliano Allegri has implemented a strategic game plan focused on a solid structure, resulting in fewer substitutions than any other team in Europe’s top-five leagues this season. This demonstrates his confidence in the starting eleven, including key players like Luka Modric and Pulisic.
On the other side, Cagliari will enter the match knowing their record against Milan isn’t favorable, having managed to secure victory in just five of the 46 previous encounters. Sitting six points clear of the relegation zone, Cagliari needs to bolster their points tally in upcoming games to ensure their safety this season. They are currently amid struggles, having achieved just one win in their last twelve Serie A matches. A recent 2-1 victory against Torino offered them a glimmer of hope, but they will require a near-flawless performance against Milan to leave with anything positive.
In terms of team news, Rafael Leao is expected to return to the squad after resuming full training, although Allegri may choose to start Pulisic and Nkunku up front initially. Injuries continue to plague both squads, with Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez sidelined for Milan, while Cagliari is set to welcome back Juan Rodriguez and Yerry Mina, despite having several others who remain injured.
As both teams prepare for this critical fixture, the stakes are high not only for Milan’s quest for dominance in Serie A but also for Cagliari’s fight against relegation, making this match a compelling encounter for football fans.