Europa League: All-Italian Affair Could be Captivating

AC Milan vs AS Roma

As Italian clashes go, there are few bigger than meetings between mighty AC Milan and the established big hitters from the capital in AS Roma.

Ok, so Milan may not be as mighty as they once were, while Roma are not exactly leading from the front at home or abroad.

But this meeting, with a place in the Europa League semi-finals at stake, still carries weight – both in and outside of Italy.

My impression from afar is that both sets of fans regard their club as the number one in Italy, and with two sets of passionate fans, this two-legged quarter-final tie should be captivating.

Talking Points

Arguably, both sides are evenly matched too.

Milan are currently in second place in Serie A and, while city rivals Inter Milan have ensured it’s been a one-horse race in recent months, the Rossoneri have shown consistency to climb above Juventus and will almost certainly be back in the Champions League next term courtesy of a top four finish.

Roma, meanwhile, are aiming to go one better than last season when they were only a penalty shoot-out away from winning this competition under Jose Mourinho.

Despite my doubts, the team has rallied under successor – fan-favourite Daniele De Rossi – and are in contention for a top four finish, which would also secure a place in the top tier of European combat – a stage they have not graced since 2019.

AS Roma manager Daniele De Rossi aims to secure a Europa League win against AC Milan — AS Roma manager Daniele De Rossi is hoping to secure a first-leg Europa League victory against AC Milan

Silverware is the main aim, of course, and that will only add an extra layer of intrigue ahead of 180 minutes (and possibly more) when the atmosphere should be spine-tingling and, possibly, have a real edge.

Both warmed up with decent wins at the weekend.

Milan saw off Lecce 3-0 at the San Siro when early goals from Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud, coupled with Rafael Leao’s neat finish shortly before the hour mark were enough for Milan to win with something to spare.

Roma won their big derby against Lazio with a solitary Gianluca Mancini netted the only goal of the contest.

It meant De Rossi won his first Rome derby as coach at the first attempt after four without a win under his predecessor.

The team De Rossi inherited in January was ninth in Serie A and had collected five points from its last six league games. It has now claimed 26 from the next 11 – losing only to league leaders Inter – and have risen to fifth.

Serie A is leading the race for an extra spot in next year’s Champions League meaning a top-five finish could be enough.

Returning to Europe’s top club competition has been a primary objective for Roma’s American owners from day one.

Should that be achieved – either via a high enough league finish or succeeding in this competition where Mourinho (despite plenty of Europa League 2024 highlights) just missed out last term – it is hard to imagine a scenario in which it would not earn De Rossi a contract extension.

History

Milan have won both league meetings this season.

In September, a Giroud penalty and a Leao overhead kick won the day in the Stadio Olimpico before Leonardo Spinazzola reduced the arrears in the final minute.

Milan then recorded a 3-1 home success at the San Siro in January, courtesy of Yacine Adli’s first Milan goal, a Giroud header and a thumping strike from Theo Hernandez. A Leandro Paredes penalty was all Roma had to show for their display.

This will be their first ever clash in European competition and Milan have traditionally had the upper hand in this heavyweight battle.

They have won 85 of their encounters, – I recalled one just as football resumed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – Roma have enjoyed 48 victories and there have been a further 57 draws.

It was in October 2017 when Roma last beat Milan on their own turf as two goals in five second half minutes from Edin Dzeko and Alessandro Florenzi sealed a 2-0 win.