Soccer Italy Serie A 14 March 2023

AC Milan vs Salernitana - Match Preview

A first UEFA Champions League quarter-final since 2011/12 will be AC Milan’s reward for their midweek 0-0 draw at Tottenham, which was itself a good response to their 2-1 Serie A (SA) defeat to Fiorentina. Engaged in a four-way tussle to finish as ‘best of the rest’ behind runaway leaders Napoli, they can’t afford many more slip-ups with Inter Milan, Lazio and Roma all ahead of them.

A brace of home league victories ‘to nil’ should instil confidence in the reigning champions, as well winning all three prior home meetings with Salernitana. Each of those, including the first way back in 1948, was held at the San Siro, although Milan is pushing to move away, and is stepping up plans to build a new state-of-the-art stadium, this week calling it “fundamental for the future of the club”.

Salernitana have a much shorter-term goal; avoiding relegation this term, and they’re on track following a goalless draw with Sampdoria last time out which kept them clear of the relegation zone. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has played a strong hand in their recent revival (W1, D1) and is reportedly generating interest among both Milan clubs as a potential summer signing!

He’ll have to put that speculation to one side, but Salernitana has righted the ship since losing 8-2 to Atalanta in January, with a much better return from their last three league away games (W1, D1, L1). The San Siro won’t bring back too many happy memories though, given their record against Milan here, as well as a 2-0 defeat to Inter on this ground in October.

📋 Players to watch: pock Origi’s last ten competitive goals arrived after half-time while both of his SA strikes this term were scored at the San Siro. Salernitana veteran Antonio Candreva might relish a return to the San Siro, where he directly contributed to five goals against Milan while playing for Lazio and Inter (G2, A3).

⚡ Hot streak: None of Milan’s last six league matches featured a goal before the 15th minute (W3, L3).