GOOD NEWS: The significance of experience, how the Milan and Roma squads compare in Europe.
Beyond the individual performances and tactical plans of the two coaches, the ‘Euroderby’ between AC Milan and Roma may be decided solely by who handles the situation better.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the tie will also be an issue of experience, of getting used to and dealing with particular atmospheres, and both clubs know
Only a few months ago, the Rossoneri were in the Champions League semi-finals, while the Giallorossi were on the verge of winning the Europa League after winning the Conference League.
Milan has gradually regained confidence in Europe after a period of absence, reaching the last four last season and defeating Napoli in the process.
In Europe, Roma have performed well especially recently. The number of appearances of the singles in the European cups helps to give a first overview of the comparison. With a total of 1,078 overall appearances in UEFA competitions, the Giallorossi look down on the Rossoneri, stuck at 729.
Considering solely the Europa League, the site for the quarter-final meeting, the margin remains similar: Roma players have 619 appearances, while Pioli’s men have only 248.
Experience
In all aspects of European football, Roma comes out on top. For example, Giallorossi defenders have made 367 appearances, 237 of which were in the Europa League alone.
Smalling leads with 98 (44 in the Champions League, 44 in the Europa League, and 10 in the Conference), while the most experienced Milan player is the famous former Alessandro Florenzi, who has 62 (51 in the Champions League and 11 in the Europa).
In midfield, the Diavolo’s number one is Loftus-Cheek, with 36 appearances (15 in the Europa League), while among the Capitoline players it is the ex-Milan man Cristante who is in command with 76 appearances (51 in the Europa League). A good dose of experience will also be brought by captain Pellegrini, with 66 appearances.
Things are a little closer in front. The Rossoneri forwards have played 297 games in Europe, including 94 in the UEL. In UEL, the Giallorossi’s offensive section has 315 and 135 points. Giroud is looking down on everyone, having defeated Lukaku 88-85. The best scorer is ‘Big Rom’, who has 45 goals, surpassing Giroud’s 40.
Mourinho led Mancini, Pellegrini, Cristante, and others to victory in the UEFA Conference League two years ago.
Among the Rossoneri, Giroud and Pulisic won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2020-21, together with Abraham.
Theo Hernandez has also won the Champions League, having been in the competition’s group stage three times with Real Madrid during the 2017-18 season.
Giroud and Loftus-Cheek won the Europa League with Sarri in 2018-19. Chukwueze won the second European trophy with Villarreal in 2021, while Smalling (2017) and N’Dicka (2022), both from Roma, won with Manchester United and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively.
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