AC Milan vs. Cesena: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Not for the first time, Filippo Inzaghi’s future rests on the next game. AC Milan still have only won once in Serie A in 2015, and the first-year coach has taken a lot of flak as a result. 

Failure against Cesena on Sunday could seal an early end for Inzaghi, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).

On the surface, Cesena look like a perfect opponent for Milan: a club stuck in the relegation zone, only above cash-strapped Parma in the standings. 

But last week’s draw against Juventus and a good run of games tell a different story.

Date: February, Sunday 22

Time: 2 p.m. GMT/9 a.m. ET

Venue: San Siro

TV Info: BT Sport Extra (UK)/beIN Sports

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (Canada, US)

Despite having less possession, the Seahorses were active, and they struck often on the counterattack against the Bianconeri. Milan Djuric, Gregoire Defrel and Franco Brienza combined to make life difficult for Juve’s defence. 

Milan vs. Empoli	1-1
Juventus vs. Milan	3-1
Milan vs. Parma	3-1
Lazio vs. Milan	3-1
Milan vs. Atalanta	0-1

Cesena could easily pounce on Milan, a team that is prone to the counterattack. The Rossoneri have a hard enough time scoring goals, so they have to turn whatever possession they have into something meaningful.

February was supposed to boost Milan's chances of climbing up the standings. A 1-1 draw at home to Empoli last week started it off wrong. Wins against Cesena, then Chievo and Hellas Verona, have to come if Milan have any desire qualify for Europe next season.

Cesena vs. Juventus	2-2
Empoli vs. Cesena	2-0
Cesena vs. Lazio	2-1
Parma vs. Cesena	1-2
Cesena vs. Torino	2-3

Predicted lineup

Inzaghi is finally going to stick to a two-striker system, which is partly because of Mattia Destro. The 23-year-old scored his first goal for the Rossoneri against Empoli, and he could relieve Jeremy Menez of the scoring duties.

“In the last three games we played with three attacking players,” Inzaghi said, per Football Italia. “We have many choices up front. We adopted this system with two strikers and we’re sticking to it.”

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Milan have lacked consistent scoring, managing just six goals in their past six games. For all their options in attack, it is often difficult for them to break down the opposing defence. 

Their midfield, however, looks healthier than it has been for a while. Expect a trio of Andrea Poli, Nigel de Jong and Riccardo Montolivo to be finally reunited after several matches out injured. 

Alex returns to the back four, and he will likely partner Adil Rami. Luca Antonelli continues to make the left-back position his own, while sometime full-back Daniele Bonera fills the gap at right-back.

Players to watch

It’s looking like Keisuke Honda will finally get his chance to play week in, week out as a proper trequartista; his ideal position. Milan badly need a creator, and Honda has to find Destro and Menez. 

A 4-3-1-2 system could favour Honda more than any other player on the Rossoneri, as he will have the space to collect the ball deeper and interchange with Menez when the time is right. It gives him the flexibility to be a provider. 

Defrel is still the biggest threat for Cesena. The 23-year-old is unpredictable on the ball, and he can be both a playmaker and a goalscorer. 

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Defrel has a goal and two assists in his past four games; his hottest spell of the Serie A campaign. He is turning it up just as Cesena are putting in their best effort to get out of the drop zone.

Key battle

Milan’s defence changes from game to game. It's not a coincidence that the team's weakest spot is also the least consistent.

With Alex and Rami, Milan have their best pairing. When they have played together, they largely hold up. But they have not played together nearly enough this season.

Defrel and Djuric will test the two with their speed. This is the toughest battle: Milan's defence against an attack gaining confidence by the week.

Odds (via Odds Shark)

AC Milan: +740

Cesena: -250

Draw: +340

Prediction: Milan 1 Cesena 1