Newly promoted Carpi will be hoping to spring a surprise, when they face AC Milan.

Match summary

Carpi will be entering their home pitch off the back of two consecutive wins (2-1 against Genoa in Serie A and 2-1 against Vicenza in the Coppa Italia). Both of these matches included the opposing team having a player being sent off. However, they still remain in the relegation zone (19th place) and five points away from safety. Carpi tactically are a very offensive focused team, as they often are forced to counter-attack due to lack of possession. 

The Biancorossi are not very good in the air, which presents their weakness in defending against set pieces. Manager Fabrizio Castori will be pleased if his squad will be able to convert one of the numerous shots past young Italian U21 Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Similarly, AC Milan also have back-to-back wins in all competitions (4-1 versus Sampdoria in Serie A and 3-1 against Crotone in the Coppa Italia). This will add to Sinisa Mihajlovic's club only losing one match in their last seven. The obliteration of Sampdoria will mean the starting eleven will stand to hopefully assist the Rossineri achieve the consistency during the league campaign that they need to break into the European qualification spots.

(photo: acmilan.com)

Team news and projected XI's

Marco Borrellio will be making a comeback into a forward position once again while Igor Bubnjic and Matteo Fedele are the only players out for this match.

Possible Carpi Starting XI (4-4-2): Belec; Zaccardo, Romagnoli, Gagliolo, Letizia; Martinho, Lollo, Cofie, Eusepi; Borriello, Ryder.

Diego LopezJeremy MenezAndrea Bertolacci remain out for another match due to injury. Mario Balotelli, who had returned to training recently, will again not feature. Luca Antonelli picked up a knock, so Mattia De Sciglio will likely start at the left-back position.

Possible AC Milan Starting XI (4-4-2): Donnaruma; Abate, Romagnoli, Alex, Sciglio; Bonaventura, Kucka, Montolivo, Cerci; Niang, Bacca.

Players to watch

Marco Borrellio - It would be hard to choose anyone other than the clubs leading scorer and assister so far this season (three goals and three assists). Making his first appearance back from injury, Borrellio will be hungry to lead the Biancorossi to their first pair of back-to-back wins this league campaign.

M'Baye Niang - After achieving a brace against Sampdoria this past weekend, Niang will probably be favored to start alongside Carlos Bacca by Mihajlovic. The pacey dribbler is efficient out wide or in the center of the penalty box. Niang was the shining star at the San Siro previously, so it can be predicted that he will try to replicate another outstanding performance with Giacomo Bonaventura passing him the ball from the midfield.

Verdict

Carpi achieved their second win of the season against Genoa, but the Rossoblu's Leonardo Pavoletti was sent off despite the club already struggling so far this season. Two straight wins may not be the difference maker against a Rossineri squad that appears to be finding their rhythm once again after demolishing Sampdoria. The forward positions have been the vital positions in determining the success of both clubs so far, but Milan just have more weapons to come out of this game with the three points.

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Homar Hernandez
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