After both teams were involved in dramatic finishes last weekend, they now head to San Siro for a midweek cup clash.
Milan faced city rivals Inter Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday, hoping to beat them for the third time this season. The Rossoneri were close to doing just that, holding onto a lead from Tijjani Reijnders into stoppage time, but Stefan de Vrij scored a last-minute equalizer for Inter. Earlier in the season, Milan and Roma drew 1-1, with Reijnders scoring the opener before Paulo Dybala equalized at San Siro.
Roma have shown signs of improvement under interim coach Claudio Ranieri, who took charge amid a period of turmoil both on and off the pitch. After climbing to ninth in the league, Roma also secured progress in the Europa League by beating Eintracht Frankfurt. Their resilience was tested again on Sunday when Serie A leaders Napoli visited the Stadio Olimpico. A late equalizer from Angelino kept Roma’s unbeaten streak in Serie A alive, extending it to seven matches.
Despite their improved form, Roma are still struggling on the road, with only one win away from home this season. Milan, meanwhile, are far from their best, sitting in eighth place with a 16-point gap to second-placed Inter. With European qualification looking uncertain, Milan will be determined to add to their recent Supercoppa Italiana victory and improve their record in the Coppa Italia.
Milan have struggled in the competition recently, being knocked out by Atalanta in last season’s quarter-finals. Their only Coppa Italia win in the past 22 years came almost two decades ago. They entered this year’s tournament at the last-16 stage, where Samuel Chukwueze scored twice in a 6-1 thrashing of Sassuolo.
Milan and Roma have both reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals more times than any club other than Juventus and Inter. Their most recent meeting at this stage saw Milan come out on top, winning 2-1 in both legs in 2004.
Roma’s last victory over Milan in the Coppa came 18 years ago, and they’ve not made it past the quarter-finals since 2017.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
After a busy week of transfers, Milan have signed Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez, while Alvaro Morata has agreed to join Galatasaray on an initial loan deal. Former club captain Davide Calabria has also moved to Bologna.
Sergio Conceicao will now have Youssouf Fofana available again after the French midfielder served his suspension last weekend, but injured trio Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi are still out.
With a league trip to Empoli on Saturday followed by a Champions League playoff against Feyenoord, the hosts may make some changes, but Tammy Abraham is expected to continue leading the attack.
On Roma’s side, there are no major injury concerns after Manu Kone and former Milan player Stephan El Shaarawy both recovered from knocks sustained in the game against Napoli.
Only suspended centre-back Gianluca Mancini will miss the trip to San Siro, while Mats Hummels, who was rested on Sunday, should return to the lineup.
Claudio Ranieri’s preferred strike duo of Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala were both on the bench for the Derby del Sole, but they are set to start in midweek. Dybala has been a constant threat against Milan over the years, with 10 goals to his name, though just one of them came in the Coppa Italia.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
After a busy week of transfers, Milan have signed Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez, while Alvaro Morata has agreed to join Galatasaray on an initial loan deal. Former club captain Davide Calabria has also moved to Bologna.
Sergio Conceicao will now have Youssouf Fofana available again after the French midfielder served his suspension last weekend, but injured trio Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi are still out.
With a league trip to Empoli on Saturday followed by a Champions League playoff against Feyenoord, the hosts may make some changes, but Tammy Abraham is expected to continue leading the attack.
On Roma’s side, there are no major injury concerns after Manu Kone and former Milan player Stephan El Shaarawy both recovered from knocks sustained in the game against Napoli.
Only suspended centre-back Gianluca Mancini will miss the trip to San Siro, while Mats Hummels, who was rested on Sunday, should return to the lineup.
Claudio Ranieri’s preferred strike duo of Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala were both on the bench for the Derby del Sole, but they are set to start in midweek. Dybala has been a constant threat against Milan over the years, with 10 goals to his name, though just one of them came in the Coppa Italia.
EXPERT PREDICTION
AC Milan 2-1 Roma
"Claudio Ranieri has secured six victories from eight Coppa Italia ties during his various stints as Roma manager, but guiding this Giallorossi side to a rare away win might be too much to ask.
Though Milan remain inconsistent, their performance in the Supercoppa showed their potential, and they’ve become a tougher team to beat under new leadership."
