Cagliari-Milan Preview: Eyes on the Prize

With just nine games remaining, Milan are finally clear at the top of the table. We are masters of our own destiny, now it is up to us to stay focused and take as many points as possible from here on out. Meanwhile Cagliari are in 17th place, only three points ahead of the drop zone, and will be quite desperate to take as many points as possible from their final nine fixtures as well. Milan will be traveling for this one and cannot afford to take any vacations. We have to keep our eyes on the prize.

Stay focused, stay together

Cagliari face a very real threat of relegation. Mazzarri will be down to the wire to make sure that they stay up, and desperate teams are the worst teams to face at this point in the season. Last week, he endured a 2-0 loss to Spezia. For that one, he lined up Cragno; Goldaniga, Lovato, Altare; Bellanova, Grassi, Deiola, Dalbert; Baselli; Pavoletti, and João Pedro. Mazzarri will be missing Strootman and Nandez, and although Walukiewicz and Rog returned to partial training on Thursday, they are not yet expected to be available Saturday after coming back from lengthy injuries.

Desperate

Pioli is still obviously without the Viking, Kjaer, and Bakayoko, who is injured/transfer blacklisted. Also in doubt as of this writing is Tonali, who has had fever and flu symptoms this week. Theo Hernández will be making a welcome return after his one match suspension. Also back in the squad is everyone else and the winning mentality, with momentum and three points clear of Napoli, four points clear of Inter (who still have a game in hand) at the top of the table.

Outside of more dodgy referee calls and suspensions, Milan have the power to defend our lead, and have the fewest big teams left to play of any of the other top four teams for the rest of the season. Or course, facing the big teams have been when we shine, it is always the little teams that trip us up. Which is why Saturday's game matters so much. We have to keep our eyes on the prize.

This post inspired by the music of Prince

Serie A Week 30

Cagliari vs. Milan

Saturday, March 19 • 20:45 CET (3:45 EDT)

*note the time difference due to Daylight Savings Time in the U.S.

This match can be streamed LIVE on Paramount Plus in the U.S.