Sampdoria vs. AC Milan: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Serie A Game
Milan travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for a very tricky match against a Sampdoria side that has been impressing this season in Serie A.
The Blucerchiati are tied for third in the table and have only lost one match the entire season, against Inter when they gave up a last minute penalty.
Filippo Inzaghi's side go into the game on the back of an atrocious home result against Palermo, where they succumbed to a 2-0 loss to recently promoted Palermo.
After the devastating loss, Milan will now need to rebound against one of the toughest sides in the league to break down.
Here are the main key issues and decisions that will shape the Serie A match between Sampdoria and Milan:
How Inzaghi Plans to Line Up His Attack
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After watching Jeremy Menez dribble into walls against Palermo while his teammates stood still waiting for him to finish, it became clear that a change was needed up front.
Menez and Fernando Torres haven't created any chemistry or linked up well together in the attacking third, so someone like Stephan El Shaarawy should get the nod from the first minute.
Since Torres hasn't been able to produce the goods up front, El Shaarawy needs more time to finally get some consistency and show the form that made him a household name two seasons ago.
Since scoring prolifically, Keisuke Honda has also cooled down a bit in the past few matches. Either way, Stephan El Shaarawy has one attribute which should make him indispensable to the side—his work-rate off the ball and willingness to track back and help the defense.
It'll be interesting to see how Inzaghi lines up the attack, and if a radical change is made after that stagnant performance against Palermo.
The Marco Van Ginkel Situation
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According to La Gazzetta, Marco Van Ginkel's agent hit out at Milan, saying that they are frustrated that his client hasn't been able to get any time on the pitch, and that this wasn't the original agreement.
Unfortunately for the Dutch midfielder, his lone performance ended in an injury that has kept him out for the past month. While there is promise around Van Ginkel, it seems that Inzaghi has been hesitant on using him, often preferring to go with more experienced choices such as Sulley Muntari and Andrea Poli.
The agent went on to say that his client could move on in January to a club that will use him if the current trend continues.
Van Ginkel finally saw some playing time in the midweek friendly against San Lorenzo. If he is used as a starter against Sampdoria, then it'll show that Milan heeded the agent's warning, or simply want to give a healthy Van Ginkel a chance to win a starting spot in a midfield that desperately needs a creative infusion.
More than anything, Riccardo Montolivo's absence due to knee injury was supposed to be Van Ginkel's cue to take up the reigns in the center of the park and provide the clever passing the side needs to play a desired version of champagne football.
How to Stop Manolo Gabbiadini and Co.
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Sampdoria's physical attacking duo of Manolo Gabbiadini and Stefano Okaka are poised to start on Saturday, and it could pose problems for Milan's porous backline.
The two couldn't be any more different in terms of playing style. Okaka is a traditional No.9 who can hold up play with his back to the defense, allowing the team to come up the flanks.
Gabbiadini likes to play off the main striker and has a lethal shot from long distance as well as decent creative ability. He has four goals this season, most of them coming from very ambitious positions on the pitch. Nigel De Jong needs to keep him tightly marked any time he gets loose around the edge of the box, as he always likes to try a spectacular curling effort into the top corner.
Milan's defenders were picked apart far too easily in the opening half against Palermo, and the midfield unit must do better to not give away any balls to Sampdoria, who are very able on the counter attack as well.
The Rossoneri midfield can leave the backline exposed, especially since Inzaghi gives the unit the reigns to make the forward runs whenever they see fit.
A Must Win Affair for Milan
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As much of a cliche as it is, Milan must win this match against Sampdoria and pick up all three points.
The parity at the top of Serie A is quite remarkable, as there are about six teams or so that have a legitimate chance of finishing third in the table and getting a ticket to the Champions League qualification stages.
More than anything, the troubling sentiment building around the San Siro and Filippo Inzaghi will continue swirling if they still underachieve. For a team lacking in ideas, a truly convincing win would be the perfect antidote to keep the negativity at bay.
Also, the Rossoneri have to keep up with the pack at the top, and not allow the likes of Roma and Juventus to create too much separation between them and the rest of the league.
Sampdoria will pose a stiff test. The side has been fighting hard under coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who's crafting the side in his own image. Despite it being nearly the same side that barely finished mid-table last season, this edition of Samp has been trying to prove that they also need to be feared at the top of the Italian table.
Teams that have pressed Milan tightly have caused them problems. The midfielders aren't too quick or creative, so they tend to give the ball away rather cheaply if they're under pressure. Expect the Genova based side to come out aggressively in front of their terrific crowd.
