Contesting a special derby in Serie A for the very first time, champions AC Milan host promoted Monza on Saturday evening.
The Rossoneri's former owners return to San Siro with their side seeking an upset to surpass even last month's win over Juventus; meanwhile, the hosts target three points to stay in touch at the top of the table.
Match preview
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As Monza supremos Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani take to their VIP seats this weekend, they will find their former club in familiar standing, as Milan are not only Scudetto-holders but also sit within three points of top spot in their title defence.
The Rossoneri may be struggling to secure progress in Europe, but three straight wins in Serie A sees them within touching distance of Italy's in-form side, league leaders Napoli.
It took a late intervention from Sandro Tonali to seize victory at Verona, though, as five months after his crucial brace at Stadio Bentegodi that took Milan close to sealing their first Scudetto for a decade, the midfielder struck late on in a 2-1 win there last weekend.
As a result, Stefano Pioli's side have now won seven of their first 10 league matches and remain Serie A's only unbeaten team away from home throughout 2022.
This week, they return to Milanese soil, having won each of their last six home fixtures against promoted sides - all without conceding a single goal. Indeed, the last team fresh from Serie B to turn Milan over at San Siro were plucky Benevento, back in April 2018.
With a lengthy injury list slowly starting to shorten, Pioli can select a side benefiting from a rare block of training, uninterrupted by midweek engagements, so should expect a sharp performance against ambitious Lombardy rivals.
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Heading to Italy's second city for a match long-awaited by their fans, Monza can step out at San Siro buoyed by a recent run of results that has elevated them from the bottom three to mid-table.
Since former coach Giovanni Stroppa departed in September, the Biancorossi have won three of four league games, and now possess 10 points from as many matches.
Across the last 20 Serie A seasons, only four promoted clubs to have matched that tally at this stage of a Serie A season were ultimately relegated, so Raffaele Palladino's side have every chance of staying afloat and establishing themselves among the elite.
Monza suffered their first setback under Palladino's leadership last week, though, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Empoli despite dominating possession at Stadio Carlo Castellani.
That did not deter them for long, as they overcame form side Udinese in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening - posting an impressive 3-2 win at the Dacia Arena thanks to goals from Mattia Valoti, Salvatore Molina and Andrea Petagna.
Team News
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After enjoying a rare week on the training pitch at Milanello, Stefano Pioli will have at least two of his injured players back in the fold on Saturday, as Charles De Ketelaere and Simon Kjaer are both set to be available.
First-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan has now been ruled out until 2023, though; Ciprian Tatarusanu therefore continues to deputise.
Partly due to several other absences - which include Alexis Saelemaekers, Davide Calabria, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Florenzi - French midfielder Yacine Adli made his full debut for Milan versus Verona, but De Ketelaere is likely to displace him if ready to start.
After serving relentlessly over the past few weeks, veteran striker Olivier Giroud may finally be rested; either Divock Origi or Ante Rebic will step in.
Meanwhile, Monza are without the suspended Nicolo Rovella, following his late dismissal last weekend, so either Andrea Barberis or Mattia Valoti is likely to partner on-loan Inter man Stefano Sensi in midfield.
After making several changes for his side's midweek cup success in Udine, Raffaele Palladino reverts to a more familiar lineup, most likely employing a 3-4-2-1 formation.
In four Serie A matches when Portuguese striker Dany Mota has started this season, Monza have averaged 1.8 points, while in the other six they have won just once. Nonetheless, Christian Gytkjaer will hope to keep his place up front, again supported by Gianluca Caprari and captain Matteo Pessina.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Dest, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Diaz, De Ketelaere, Leao; Origi
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Marlon, Mari, Caldirola; Carlos, Sensi, Barberis, Ciurria; Caprari, Pessina; Mota
We say: AC Milan 2-0 Monza
Despite signing some experienced heads in the summer, the occasion could prove too much for Monza to handle as they tackle their mighty neighbours. With Milan recovering injured players and having enjoyed a free midweek, expect them to win and stay on Napoli's coat-tails.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
