Overview
According to the initial plan, this match will become the first competition of the tournament to be held abroad, at Optus Stadium (Perth, Australia). However, everything has turned in a different direction. Instead of traveling to Oceania, the two teams will still compete in Como.
The reason comes from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) imposing strict hosting requirements, causing the organization plan in Perth to be postponed. Therefore, in the context that AC Milan is also affected by the postponement of the Italian Super Cup participation schedule, Rossoneri's away trip to Lombardy has now become much "shorter".
However, Milan's goal did not change when they needed all 3 points. Rossoneri just stumbled against two opponents facing difficulties, thereby widening the gap compared to Inter Milan - the city's arch-rival and currently leading the rankings.
Recently, Max Allegri's team continuously escaped defeat thanks to late goals. Milan drew 1-1 with Genoa and Fiorentina, in which the draw against Fiorentina was saved by Christopher Nkunku's goal at the end of the match.
These results clearly harm Scudetto ambitions, but Milan still maintains a long unbeaten streak, although often in a state of mental weakness. The last time they lost in Serie A was right in the opening round. Notably, Milan is the only team that has not lost away this season, with a record of 5 wins and 4 draws.
After entering the mid-season with only one defeat in Serie A - a milestone they have never reached in more than 20 years - Milan is still present in the championship competition group.
On the opposite side, Como can be considered a dark horse from some perspectives, but even their biggest ambition is difficult to equal the Scudetto race. Instead, Lariani's more realistic goal is to win a spot in the European Cup for the first time, and coach Cesc Fabregas is taking the team on the right track.
Thanks to strong investment, Como has rapidly progressed to be in the elite group of Italian football in less than two years. Currently, they are ranked sixth in the rankings, and also play one match less than most direct competitors.
In the previous round, Como continued to show his bravery by winning another point according to a dramatic scenario. Martin Baturina's powerful shot extinguished Bologna's victory (with only 10 men left) in added time. Only Inter scored more than 8 of their goals in the last 15 minutes.
As one of the 3 teams - along with Juventus and Napoli - still unbeaten at home this season, Como is now entering a big challenge when hosting Milan.
After losing both legs last season, Como's last victory against the opponent in Serie A was in 1985. More than four decades have passed, Lariani is again facing a historical challenge when trying to defeat Rossoneri.
Personnel situation
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric is expected to return after being rested, while coach Max Allegri may call up Fikayo Tomori. The English center-back is likely to play alongside Strahinja Pavlovic and Matteo Gabbia to form Milan's three-man defense, after serving a suspension.
Pavlovic has been allowed to return to training, despite having to stitch up 9 stitches after an aerial collision in the match against Fiorentina. In the front line, Rafael Leao's ability to play is still uncertain, causing Milan's attacking plan to have to be adjusted.
On the other side, Como owns two notable "assists", Nico Paz and Jesus Rodriguez. Both have 6 assists in Serie A this season, of which Paz has scored 6 more goals.
In terms of force, Cesc Fabregas will have the addition of Jacobo Ramon after the Spanish defender completed a one-match suspension last weekend. However, Como is still missing a series of names due to injury, including Edoardo Goldaniga, Assane Diao, Jayden Addai and former Milan striker, Alvaro Morata.
Expected lineup:
Butez, Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle, Perrone, Da Cunha, Vojvoda, Paz, Rodriguez, Douvikas.
AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Pulisic, Fullkrug.
The match between Como and AC Milan takes place at 2:45 AM on January 16 (Vietnam time).
