Lazio-Milan LIVE on the pitch at 8.45pm
If the Scudetto is now a closed affair - as Stefano Pioli himself admitted in the press conference on the eve of the match against Lazio: "I think it's over now, the championship is closed at least for first place" - everything is still to be decided regarding the fight for the Champions League zone.
Milan are only four points behind Juventus, but they also have to watch their backs because the Bologna of wonders are only five points away.
So we need to return to victory at the Olimpico, after the defeat in Monza and the misstep against Atalanta.
"Against Lazio we want to bring back the level of performance from last Sunday - assures the Rossoneri coach - but by changing the result. We analyzed the positive things and also those situations that did not allow us to win. We were unable to score a goal more and we had the chances."
The three points were missed against Atalanta but we saw a good Milan, entertaining and convincing.
Thanks above all to the excellent performance of Leao, who returned to goals in the league after five months and is once again the leader of the Rossoneri game.
"After Atalanta, Leao told me that he felt good and I replied 'he tries to feel good in all the next matches too'", smiles Pioli.
"He has also had exponential growth in his relationships with the team" The Portuguese will try to give an encore, also trying to inspire Giroud who is certainly a starter given Jovic's disqualification.
Facing them, Milan will find an angry Lazio after the defeat against Fiorentina in recovery on Monday.
"Lazio is a team with great quality that comes from a defeat and will therefore be motivated. They play well but can be put in difficulty. Did I remember the 4-0 they suffered last year? It shouldn't be remembered, these are games that remain inside but we want to bring home a positive result", promises Pioli.
Also because if the Champions League quota "is 70 points as said by Allegri" for Milan "the road is still long".
Then there will be the Europa League round of 16 against Slavia Prague interspersed with the match against Empoli and finally the away match in Verona.
"We are thinking about Lazio, we have many important objectives and challenges. When we get to Verona - explains the Rossoneri coach - when there is a break we will understand too and we will take stock".
Of course, we will need to improve our performance away from San Siro, where the last two defeats came, in Monza and Rennes: "It's a very clear objective, we have to play the game regardless of whether we play at home or away. And 'one of the aspects analyzed in detail in recent days."
Probable lineups
Lazio (4-3-3): 94 Provedel, 23 Hysaj, 34 Gila, 13 Romagnoli, 77 Marusic, 8 Guendouzi, 32 Cataldi, 10 Luis Alberto, 18 Isaksen, 17 Immobile, 7 Felipe Anderson.
(33 Sepe, 35 Mandas, 15 Casale, 46 Ruggeri, 3 Pellegrini, 29 Lazzari, 5 Vecino, 6 Kamada, 56 Napolitano, 9 Pedro, 20 Zaccagni, 18 Castellanos).
All: Sarri Suspended: none Notified of a booking: Pellegrini Unavailable: Patric, Rovella
Milan (4-2-3-1): 16 Maignan, 2 Calabria, 24 Kjaer, 46 Gabbia, 19 Theo Hernandez, 4 Bennacer, 7 Adli, 11 Pulisic, 8 Loftus Cheek, 10 Leao, 9 Giroud (57 Sportiello, 83 Mirante, 95 Bartesaghi, 82 Simic, 38 Terracciano, 42 Florenzi, 28 Tomori, 20 Kalulu, 28 Thiaw, 74 Jimenez, 21 Chukwueze, 14 Reijnders, 80 Musah, 17 Okafor).
All.: Pioli.
Suspended: Jovic Restricted to booking: Musah, Loftus-Cheek, Florenzi, Leao, Pioli.
Unavailable: Pobega
Referee: Di Bello from Brindisi.
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