AC Milan Can Make Statement of Serie A Intent with Win at Roma

AC Milan go into the weekend with a vital match against second-placed Roma in the Serie A after a commanding 2-0 victory vs. Napoli in the last matchday. 

A win against Roma would really send out a signal to the rest of the Serie A that Milan are back and that a top three spot in the standings beckons. A slow start was expected for Milan this season, especially with a new coach taking charge in Filippo Inzaghi and new tactics being implemented. Chemistry of this sort takes time to build.

The Rossoneri are playing the capital city club at perhaps their weakest point, as Roma have only won twice in their last five matches in all competitions.

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So Roma will face Milan this weekend without Astori, Holebas and Pjanic. Manolas now certain to start with Mapou, Cole/Flo as LB.

— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) December 16, 2014"

Roma were knocked out of the Champions league after a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City, and the haven't really impressed too much in domestic action either.

The Giallorossi only managed a 2-2 draw recently against Sassuolo, a match where they hardly dominated and could have easily lost, and they could only produce an ugly win against Genoa last week. The club has endured an injury crisis and Rudi Garcia has had to improvise plenty with his roster this season.

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For Milan, it was a case of turning a weakness into a strength.

While their defense has often been porous this season, Milan's two central defenders were brilliant against Napoli's lightning attack. Philippe Mexes and Adil Rami know each other from the French national team and have formed an impressive partnership lately in the heart of the defense.

Surprisingly, this sturdy defensive effort has come despite the fact Milan do not having their two starting full-backs, Mattia De Sciglio and Ignazio Abate, who have been injured.

Roma will have some key players and coaches missing as well. With coach Rudi Garcia suspended for aggressive conduct, assistant Claude Fichaux has to step in to guide the team for the next two matches. 

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Roma will be without three key players due to suspension. Defender Davide Astori, midfield playmaker Miralem Pjanic, and explosive left-back Jose Holebas, who has been impressive lately down the left flank.

These are key absences for the Giallorossi, who have also been without their best central defender Leandro Castan as he underwent brain surgery to remove a cavernoma, as reported by BBC Sport.

More worryingly, Roma's champagne football at the beginning of the season hasn't been seen as much lately. Their last few performances both in Serie A and the Champions League have seen a tired side that perhaps isn't used to all this football action.

With Inzaghi having seemingly set his ideal starting XI, Milan is playing better with Fernando Torres on the bench and Riccardo Montolivo back in the starting lineup.

Milan will find a vulnerable Roma side this weekend capable of conceding opportunities. If the Rossoneri take full advantage and get one of three points, it would definitely give them a confidence boost going into the break, and perhaps even spurn the higher-ups to spend a little more to further reinforce the squad as they look to climb back into the Champions League.