Milan at home

Home is where the heart is

If Milan are experiencing a somewhat indifferent Serie A season, it is down to their rather erratic form on the road, where they have picked up 18 points in 16 outings.

Thankfully for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men, it’s been a very different story at the San Siro, where they have consistently collected positive results (nine wins and four draws from 15 matches). The 31 points gained in front of their own fans put them sixth in the home form standings this term, seven points fewer than Juventus’ tally and eight shy of Napoli’s.

The main difference between the Rossoneri and Bianconeri is quite clearly the defence, with Massimiliano Allegri’s side conceding only six at home in contrast to Milan’s 14. Meanwhile, there’s nothing to split the two teams at the other end of the field, as they sit level on 23 goals apiece.

Right wing roaming

If there’s any stand-out pattern to draw from the way that Milan have attacked the opposition in recent home fixtures it’s that they often do so down the right-hand side.

Keisuke Honda has been their main outlet down that flank and the Japan international even chipped in with a goal in February’s win over Genoa when the side focused over 40 per cent of their forward forays along his side of the pitch.

Honda would also enjoy a lively evening against Lazio three weeks ago, with nearly 45 per cent of attacks concentrated down the right, as he provided a team-high 13 crosses, had four shots and created five goal-scoring opportunities.

Staying ahead of the game

One of Milan’s undoubted strengths at the San Siro this season has been an ability to win matches when they’re ahead.

Of the ten times that they have taken the lead at home, they’ve managed to claim maximum points all but once.

By the same token, however, the Rossoneri have proved that they are not the strongest at overturning a deficit, having failed to win any of the four games in which they’ve fallen behind (drawing two and losing two).

Bacca brilliance

Carlos Bacca has been a big hit at the San Siro since switching from Sevilla last summer and it’s clear to see why. Fourteen league goals in 31 games represent a fine return in the Colombian’s debut campaign in Italy and nine of those strikes have come in front of an increasingly sympathetic home support.

Not merely a proven finisher, the 29-year-old has also fashioned the second highest amount of chances for his side at home (20) as well as two assists.

On the topic of creative contributions, Giacomo Bonaventura is another player that Juve’s defensive unit will be keeping a close eye on, the attacking midfielder having helped himself to the most shots on target (18) and assists (three), whilst creating 33 scoring opportunities for team-mates.