Why Eder Is the Sampdoria Player AC Milan Must Stop in Serie A Clash

Sunday's game against Sampdoria is hugely important for AC Milan. Thanks to the results of the Coppa Italia semifinals, it's a near certainty that sixth place will come into play for European qualification. In spite of all the strife Milan have been through this season, they're only six points and two places away from that spot in the table.

It'll be a job with only nine games left this season, but it's not impossible.

If the Rossoneri want to pull a surprise, they will have to win every possible point between now and the end of the season. That starts against the Blucerchiati on Sunday. Sinisa Mihajlovic's team have a 4-1-1 record in the last six and are looking to keep hold of fifth position and a first European berth since the days of Luigi Delneri.

If Milan are to take out Serie A's surprise team of the year, they are going to need to play solid defense. They haven't been known for their ability at the back since the sale of Thiago Silva in 2012, but to contain Mihajlovic's potent attack, they are going to have to hold strong. In order to do that, someone is going to have to keep a close eye on Eder.

The Brazil-born Italy international is the lone holdover from the forward unit that started the year for Samp. His original partner, Manolo Gabbiadini, was sold to Napoli early in the winter transfer window. The two dovetailed well, and Gabbiadini was particularly impressive, scoring seven before moving south.

It's Eder, though, who was and remains the engine up front. His work rate is impressive, and his versatility allows Mihajlovic to use him all over the attacking third. He's now the team's leading scorer with nine goals and has laid on four assists.

He's also been popping up at the right time. His last four goals for club and country have either been equalizers or winners, snagging precious points in the race for a spot in the top six.

His efforts have helped power a new-look attacking trio that also includes winter imports Luis Muriel and Samuel Eto'o. Muriel has been revitalized after failing to deliver the breakout season he was expected to have at Udinese a year ago, while Eto'o has proved to be a dynamic threat up front, even though his counting stats haven't piled up.

So what can Milan do? Eder is likely to be deployed on the right wing, meaning Luca Antonelli will be the man who can most directly interdict his efforts. It's a good thing too because he's been one of the best players at the club since joining from Genoa in January. According to WhoScored.com, he's averaging two tackles and 3.5 interceptions per game in a Milan shirt.

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He's going to need all of his skills to contain Eder, but even if he plays him to a T, goalkeeper Diego Lopez is still going to have to be alert whenever the ball is at his feet. As he showed with his crucial equalizer for Italy against Bulgaria, he can fire the ball in from distance and at extreme angles.

Their chances of European qualification are slim, but they are still there for Milan. Heading into Sunday's critical contest, they must focus on limiting the effect Eder has on Samp's attack. If they let him run loose, they will lose and give up any hope of a top-six finish.

If they manage to contain him, however, they may be able to take enough out of Samp's sails to steal the points and set up a grandstand finish to the season.