Overview
After a 24-match unbeaten streak at the tournament, AC Milan finally tasted defeat last weekend, when Parma was in high form, shocking right at San Siro with a decisive goal in the 80th minute.
Although that goal created much controversy, VAR confirmed its validity and Milan could not find an equalizing goal. When the season was only 12 rounds away, Rossoneri were 10 points behind the leading team Inter Milan, making the hope of winning Serie A gradually become slimmer.
Before this stumble, Massimiliano Allegri's team also showed signs of being out of breath. They needed a goal at the last minute to overcome Pisa, and then only got a 1-1 draw at home against Como.
However, Milan still maintains an unbeaten record away from home. Their remaining defeat this season is a home defeat to Cremonese in the opening round. This time, they will travel to Zini Stadium to rematch against the Lombardy opponent - where Milan has not scored in the last three away games, although only one of them took place in the 21st century.
On the Cremonese side, the shocking 2-1 victory in August - decided by Federico Bonazzoli's goal - still brings hope for a historic double against Milan. However, to become the first rookie team to do that since Ascoli in 1987 is an extremely difficult task.
The Grigiorossi are going through a period of serious decline. They have not won their last 12 matches, and have not even scored in 10 of them - the second worst form in the league's history. The last time the Cremonese triumphed was in December.
The 0-3 defeat to AS Roma at the Olimpico last week caused them to be overtaken by Fiorentina in the relegation race between the bottom 6 teams.
Currently, Davide Nicola's team is ranked 17th, only ahead of the relegation group thanks to goal difference. In the context of Nicola's seat shaking violently, Cremonese's Serie A comeback campaign is at risk of ending with relegation - just one year after they won promotion through the Serie B play-offs.
Personnel situation
After a serious facial injury last weekend, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will have to be out of action for a few weeks. Meanwhile, Matteo Gabbia's ability to play is still uncertain due to a problem with a torn tendon.
On AC Milan's side, Santiago Gimenez is another notable absent player. However, two key strikers Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao have recovered from injuries in time.
In addition to this duo, Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Fullkrug are also competing for a starting spot in the attack.
In midfield, Luka Modric is almost certain to start, opening an interesting competition between the two oldest players scoring goals in Serie A this season: Modric (40 years old) and Jamie Vardy (39 years old).
The Cremonese side is experiencing a goal drought, forcing coach Davide Nicola to eliminate Vardy from the squad in the previous round. Meanwhile, Federico Bonazzoli has not scored any goals this year.
Both will continue to compete for a position with Antonio Sanabria and Vardy's veteran teammate Milan Djuric.
The home team is missing Michele Collocolo, Faris Moumbagna and key defender Federico Baschirotto due to injury. However, Warren Bondo - a player loaned to Milan - has returned to the bench in the match against AS Roma and may be ready to start.
Expected lineup:
Audero, Terracciano, Folino, Luperto, Zerbin, Thorsby, Bondo, Maleh, Pezzella, Bonazzoli, Vardy.
AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Jashari, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Pulisic, Leao.
The match between Cremonese and AC Milan takes place at 6:30 PM on March 1st (Vietnam time).
