AC Milan: 5 Storylines Surrounding Monday's Match Against Fiorentina

After yet another disappointing result last week, AC Milan will be hoping to get a positive result when they travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to take on Fiorentina.

The Viola have stumbled in their last few matches, but they are still one of the hotter teams in Italy, having lost only one of their last six league games. Currently sixth, they are in position to yet again find a place in the Europa League, and they hold a lead going into the second leg of the Coppa Italia Semifinal against Juventus.

Milan, on the other hand, are having it even worse than they did last year. They sit 11th, seven points behind Fiorentina for what will presumably be the last Europa place in sixth.

With a heroic effort and and a lot of help, they could make it, but the Rossoneri are almost certain to spend another season without European competition.

What will be the key aspects of the game? Let's take a closer look.

Mohamed Salah Will Present a Problem

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Mohamed Salah has been a massive boost to Fiorentina's attack.

Fiorentina has made some great transfer moves since Vincenzo Montella took over the manager's office. They made one of the best moves of the winter transfer window when the took Mohamed Salah on loan from Chelsea.

The loan officially runs through the end of the season, with Fiorentina carrying the option to extend it for a further season and possibly even make the move permanent.

If Chelsea lets them, they will almost certainly take the Egypt international back next year.

Salah has scored three goals and tallied one assist in the league since arriving. He's also managed a goal and an assist in the Europa League and two coolly taken strikes against Juventus in the first leg of the Coppa Italia Semifinal at the Juventus Stadium.

The Bianconeri had rotated their defense for the game, but his effort was still impressive.

With a very weak Milan defense in his future, Salah must be licking his chops. He'll be the focal point of Fiorentina's attack, and if he manages to cut up Milan's back four, it could be a very long night for Filippo Inzaghi.

Absentees

Dino Panato/Getty Images

Nigel de Jong is one of several regulars absent from the squad.

Milan have limited options this week. Injuries to the likes of Nigel de Jong, Riccardo Montolivo, Stephan El Shaarawy, Mattia De Sciglio and Adil Rami and a suspension for Andrea Poli mean that Inzaghi is strapped for manpower.

According to Football Italia, there will be two Primavera players in the squad for Monday to make weight.

Given the dearth of bodies in midfield, Inzaghi is going to be forced into playing Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari alongside Giacomo Bonaventura. The defensive injuries may again force the much-maligned Daniele Bonera to again play as an emergency right-back.

On the other side of the coin, Fiorentina still wait for Giuseppe Rossi to recover from his latest knee injury. Of more immediate concern is an injury to David Pizarro. The Chilean midfielder will miss Monday's match after limping off during the team's Europa League tie. His absence will be sorely felt.

Team Selection

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Destro didn't start against Hellas.

While injuries will force Inzaghi's hand in some areas, he was highly criticized last week for leaving Mattia Destro on the bench and giving Giampaolo Pazzini his first start of the season.

His other surprise move—dropping Salvatore Bocchetti for Philippe Mexes—ended up paying some dividends, but fans still struggled to reconcile the decisions.

It remains to be seen whom Inzaghi will pick, but it stands to reason that Destro will have a go again. It will also be interesting to see whom he plays around him. Keisuke Honda has been playing out of position on the wing for much of the season, and Jeremy Menez should now be moving to his more familiar wing position.

Will Inzaghi be able to put players where they will be in best position to succeed or will they still be struggling at secondary spots?

Sale Talk

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Berlusconi (center) is increasingly reported to be selling at least part of the team.

The talk this week about the status of Milan's ownership has trumped even the fate of Inzaghi.

A sensational report originating from Romania (h/t Football Italia) came to the fore on Tuesday, claiming that Berlusconi had agreed to sell a majority stake in the team to Chinese businessman Poe Qiu Ying Wang Shou. However, owner Silvio Berlusconi's holding company, Fininvest, flatly rejected the report later that same day.

In the same statement, however, they confirmed that they were looking for minority partners.

Some outside investment in Milan could do wonders for a team that has been strapped for cash lately, and it's worth watching closely to see what might happen.

The top candidate for such investment is Thai property magnate Bee Taechaubol. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported (h/t Football Italia) that he is expected to take over a 30 percent stake in the side and had plans to make some changes, including bringing the legendary Paolo Maldini in as a board member.

All this talk could be good for the future, but it can also be problematic on the field.

With the uncertainty surrounding the state of the team, players are going to have to focus on the task at hand and not allow the constant rumors to become a distraction.

Pippo vs. Montella

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Montella (to Inzaghi's right) has been talked about as a major contender to replace Inzaghi if the former striker is sacked.

Poor Pippo. Milan put him in a horrible position, and now he's paying for it. There is little chance the legendary striker will be back on their bench next season.

All talk about Milan's coaching position is now about who will replace him. One of the most talked-about men is the one he will be facing on Monday.

Two years ago, Montella took a Fiorentina team that was coming off a season mired in the bottom half of the table and came a Mario Balotelli penalty away from pipping Milan for the third UEFA Champions League spot. He has had success in the Europa League in each of the two seasons he has been there and is one of the hottest names in the Italian game.

Milan is desperate for a top man on their bench, and Montella has been considered one of their top targets. Earlier this month, La Repubblica (h/t Football Italia) reported that Montella would turn down any offers by the club, but the rumors will persist until Inzaghi has been officially replaced.

Milan's interest in the former Roma striker will be a constant undercurrent to this contest. With a coach as inexperienced as Inzaghi, it remains to be seen whether that undercurrent will affect him and his decisions.