Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Buoyed by a 3-0 win over Venezia, Milan will look to stay in the Scudetto race when they take on Spezia on Matchday 22. The Rossoneri are on a three-game winning run in the national championship, and they must be high on confidence ahead of Monday’s clash. All Kessie, Bennacer, and Ballo-Toure are on international duty, while all Castillejo, Calabria, and Romagnoli are rated doubtful for the game after the trio was tested positive for coronavirus.
The Bianconeri, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Genoa. Spezia have been producing fine displays on the road of late, but Milan will pose a much bigger threat for the visiting side than their previous rivals. Ebrima Colley represents Gambia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, but midfielder Kevin Agudelo is back to contention after serving his one-game ban in the triumph over Genoa.
Highlighted Player (Alessandro Florenzi):
Alessandro Florenzi is probably the most impressive product of AS Roma youth academy since Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, and the full-back has already developed into an important player for both club and country.
Capable of operating as both right-back and right winger, the talented footballer is probably best remembered from scoring a marvellous goal from half-way line in the Champions League clash against Barcelona, but there is much more to him than an occasional wonder strike. While he usually played as a winger during his early career, Florenzi switched to attacking full-back at both Roma and Italy national team, and that proved a very good move for his career.
While helping the Gialorossi return to old glory days, the right-back left his mark on international stage as well, especially impressing since Antonio Conte took over the reigns in the national team. Despite the fact that he has yet to realise his full potential, Florenzi already boasts an impressive top flight experience and he is predicted a bright future in the game.
Highlighted Team (Spezia):
Spezia is a professional Italian club based in Spezia, Liguria. The Bianconeri secured promotion to the Serie A in the 2019/20 season, with the team beating Frosinone in the Serie B playoffs final. Spezia are well known for their black and white home jerseys, and black is the dominant colour of their away kit.
The club’s home ground Stadio Alberto Picco has the capacity of 10,336 people. The venue was opened back in 1919, with architect Gregotti being in charge of the project. In 2002 the club chiefs decided to reach an agreement with Inter which saw Spezia become Inter’s feeder club.
As a result, the likes of Goran Pandev, Aco Stojkov, and Alex Cordaz joined the Bianconeri in the first season. Spezia then suffered a bankruptcy, but in 2008 they were re-founded. In the 2020/21 season the Bianconeri will compete in the Italian elite division for the first time ever.