AC Milan vs. Carpi: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

When they last met, AC Milan and Carpi played out a gruelling 0-0 draw in Serie A action in early December of last year. This Wednesday evening, however, the consequences will be much more important, as the teams clash in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

The possibility of silverware is a genuine prospect, with the winner of this match set to meet either Serie B side Spezia or Lega Pro outfit Alessandria in the semi-finals. Resultantly, there is a relatively clear path to the final for both of these teams; though, each will approach it with differing mentalities.

For Sinisa Mihajlovic, this game is a potential job-saver. He has been the subject of intense speculation throughout his tenure as Milan coach so far, with the most recent rumours suggesting he may be replaced by Marcello Lippi, per news agency Adnkronos (h/t Football Italia).

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

The notion of lifting a trophy may be crucial to him seeing out his first season as his team continues to toil in the league.

For Carpi, the chance for cup progression is more a fantasy-made-reality than a meeting of expectations. The Serie A minnows have enjoyed an upturn in form of late and, while avoiding relegation remains their priority, a cup final would provide another incredible chapter in the club’s recent history.

Date: Wednesday, January 13

Time: 8 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. ET)

Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy

TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK)

Live Stream: Bet365.com

Form Guide

Roma 1-1 Milan	Carpi 2-1 Udinese
Milan 0-1 Bologna	Lazio 0-0 Carpi
Frosinone 2-4 Milan	Carpi 2-3 Juventus
Sampdoria 0-2 Milan (Coppa Italia)	Fiorentina 0-1 Carpi (Coppa Italia)
Milan 1-1 Verona	Empoli 3-0 Carpi

How They Got Here

Luca Zennaro/Associated Press/Associated Press

Both Milan and Carpi began their Coppa Italia journeys at the third-round stage back in August 2015 by comfortably seeing off Serie B opposition. Milan defeated Perugia 2-0 at San Siro, while Carpi won by the same score at home to Livorno, albeit after extra time.

In the fourth round, Milan required extra time to see off Serie B promotion hopefuls Crotone at home, eventually winning 3-1, while Carpi overcame Vicenza with a 2-1 victory.

The two clubs sealed their passage to this stage with impressive away victories over fellow Serie A teams. Milan won 2-0 against Sampdoria while Carpi stunned Scudetto contenders Fiorentina with a 1-0 win at the Artemio Franchi.

Teams News and Predicted Lineups

Milan’s latest injury concern may regard Ignazio Abate, who came off towards the end of last Saturday’s draw with Roma. If the 29-year-old right-back is in any way unfit, he could be replaced by Mattia De Sciglio, with Luca Antonelli coming into the lineup at left-back.

Mihajlovic is unlikely to feel confident enough to rest players for this cup tie, given his team has begun their 2016 league action in such poor form, picking up one point from six against Bologna and Roma.

Hence the Milan coach will field something close to his strongest side, while also sticking by the 4-4-2 formation.

Dino Panato/Getty Images

Carpi coach Fabrizio Castori is starting to formulate a good idea of what his best team looks like. He has stuck by many of the players who helped the club to a miraculous promotion last year, with Riccardo Gagliolo, Gaetano Letizia and Lorenzo Lollo coping with the step up well.

Castori will likely line his team up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with the emphasis on counter-attacking via quick, direct football and long balls over the top, something that was effective the last time Carpi played the Rossoneri.

Milan (4-4-2): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Mattia De Sciglio, Philippe Mexes, Alessio Romagnoli, Luca Antonelli; Keisuke Honda, Juraj Kucka, Andrea Bertolacci, Giacomo Bonaventura; Luiz Adriano, Carlos Bacca

Carpi (4-4-1-1): Vid Belec; Cristian Zaccardo, Simone Romagnoli, Riccardo Gagliolo, Gaetano Letizia; Lorenzo Pasciuti, Isaac Cofie, Luca Marrone, Antonio Di Gaudio; Lorenzo Lollo; Jerry Mbakogu

Players to Watch

Alessio Romagnoli has been in good form for Milan. Squawka.com rate him as the seventh-best defender in Serie A in terms of defensive actions, suggesting that the 20-year-old is relishing his vital role at the crux of the team’s back four.

Against Carpi, he will have to be alert to the Biancorossi’s counter-attacking strategy, as balls over the top could be an issue for his slower centre-back partner Mexes.

Elisabetta Baracchi/Associated Press

Carpi’s Lorenzo Pasciuti may not be a household name, but he has made history. The diminutive winger’s goal against Udinese last Saturday meant he became the first player to score in each of Italian football’s top five divisions: Serie D, C2, C1, B and now A.

Odds

Milan: 5-11

Carpi: 8-1

Draw: 37-10

All odds kindly provided by Oddschecker.com.