AC Milan are favorites in their bid to finally secure third place in the final seasonal match-up against Siena: a game that will determine whether the Milanese team will play in the Champions League for the 5th consecutive season or have their recent resurgence come to a screeching halt and fall into the Europa League.
Siena vs. AC Milan, Preview: Third Place or Bust
In what could essentially be Allegri’s last game as manager (or not), AC Milan travel to Siena to try to clinch third place or see their recent hard work go to waste.
The Rossoneri only need to better Fiorentina's result in order to qualify: Fiorentina are currently on 67 points, with Milan at 69. A win would assure Champions League play and a draw will do, so as long as the Viola lose or draw their own game. A loss would disastrous as Fiorentina faces Pescara next and have a good chance of being victorious.
Siena come into the match already relegated after last week's round of matches, so essentially have nothing but pride to play for. Beppe Iachini is expected to play mainly second string and reserve players with a few first team members so this match looks to be decided before it's even played. If things get too desperate, Siena could always use the whole "we kind of look like Juventus if you ignore the actual football and focus only on the kits" thing to their advantage.
Recent form is strictly on Milan's side as they have only lost one game --against Juventus, of course-- since the turn of the year. However, the Rossoneri could only draw against AS Roma last week, in a very lackluster match marred by unsavory chants and the sending off of Francesco Totti (elbow to Philippe Mexes) and Sully Muntari (comically physically restraining the referee from yellow carding him because, why not?).
The Robur, who have only beaten Milan once in 14 previous meetings, come into the game on the back of five recent losses --the last one being a 2-1 loss to second placed Napoli-- and that whole being relegated thing, so more than likely, this season's not going to end on a positive note for Siena.
Siena will be without Captain Simone Vergassola, along with Carlos Matheu and Nicola Pozzi but will probably give many first team members an early vacation anyways.
Siena injuries and suspensions
Out: Simone Vergassola, Nicola Pozzi, Carlos Matheu (injured) In doubt: Almost everyone else
AC Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Bojan Krkic, Nigel de Jong (injured); Muntari (suspended) In doubt: None
Match date/Time: Sunday, May 19 at 20:45 p.m. local, 14:45 ET
Venue: Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi - Montepaschi Arena, Siena, Italy
TV: beIN Sport Play, RAI Internazionale (U.S.), Sky Sport 1 Italia, Sky Calcio 1 (Italy), ESPN UK / HD (U.K.)
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