Serie A Round 9 Preview: AC Milan's Goalkeeper Crisis, Will Roma Rest Lukaku?

As Serie A’s Round 9 unfolds on the evening of October 22, the spotlight is on AC Milan’s goalkeeping crisis and Roma’s decision on whether to rest Romelu Lukaku. Olivier Giroud’s heroic goalkeeping performance in the previous match is still fresh in fans' minds, but Milan supporters are undoubtedly hoping he won’t have to don the gloves again against Juventus. Third-choice goalkeeper Antonio Mirante faces the daunting task of containing Juventus’ attacking threats Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa.

AC Milan vs Juventus: Milan's Goalie Troubles

AC Milan’s remarkable start to the season has hit a snag with their goalkeeping woes. Stefano Pioli’s side now trails Inter Milan by one point after Inter’s convincing win over Torino. Given the significant goal difference between the two Milan clubs, AC Milan must secure a victory over Juventus to reclaim the top spot.

Juventus, on the other hand, finds themselves outside the Champions League places, an unacceptable situation for their fans. Adding to their struggles, Juventus hasn’t beaten AC Milan in their last five Serie A encounters, a streak reminiscent of Milan’s golden era in the 1980s.

Despite the painful defeat in the Derby della Madonnina, AC Milan has shown resilience, conceding only one goal in their last six matches across Serie A and the Champions League. Giroud’s unexpected stint as a goalkeeper against Genoa became an instant classic, but Milan fans hope that third-choice Mirante can step up in the absence of the suspended Mike Maignan and the injured Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Juventus has had a mixed start to the season. With no European commitments, they have still managed to fall four points behind the league leaders. The team’s injury woes continue with key attackers Chiesa and Vlahovic struggling to stay fit. The last time both started together was against Sassuolo in late September. Chiesa is unlikely to start against Milan, which could slow the match’s tempo, favoring a defensive approach from both sides.

Given the defensive absences for both teams and the added fatigue from international duties, the match is expected to be a tight, slow-paced affair. AC Milan, given their current form, is tipped to edge out Juventus with a narrow 1-0 victory.

Roma vs Monza: Lukaku's Fitness Concerns

Roma’s resurgence has been closely tied to the red-hot form of Romelu Lukaku, who has scored in five consecutive matches across all competitions. However, Lukaku’s fitness is a concern as he is not known for his stamina. His busy schedule, including international duty where he scored against both Austria and Sweden, might lead to fatigue.

Roma has rebounded strongly after a 4-1 thrashing by Genoa in late September, securing three consecutive victories. Lukaku has been instrumental in this turnaround, not only scoring goals but also energizing Roma’s entire attack, which has netted eight goals in their last two games. Roma's attacking prowess now only trails behind Inter Milan and Napoli in Serie A.

Monza, in their second Serie A season, has shown impressive defensive solidity, conceding just seven goals in eight matches. This defensive improvement is largely credited to new signings Pablo Marí and Danilo D'Ambrosio. Despite their lack of top-flight experience, Monza’s backline has been remarkably resilient.

Last season, Roma triumphed 3-0 against Monza at home, but this time Monza's improved defense and fitness advantage might lead to a different outcome. Roma’s decision to potentially rest Lukaku, given his recent workload, could be pivotal. A 1-1 draw seems a likely result, with Monza’s defense capable of holding off Roma’s attack.

As Serie A enters a crucial phase, these matches will significantly impact the standings and shape the narrative for the rest of the season. AC Milan’s goalkeeper crisis and Roma’s handling of Lukaku’s fitness are key storylines to watch.