For some sides in Italy's top flight, 2016 kicked off on a good note; for others, not so much. The top four teams - Inter, Fiorentina, Napoli, and Juventus - all recorded wins, but Roma, who once were firmly within the Scudetto-chasing pack were unable to do so and now have slipped further off the pace. Meanwhile, AC Milan, desperate to get back into European competition after a two season absence, saw three points go down the drain after conceding a late goal.
As such, both teams will be coming into this game searching for their first win of the new year, and for the Giallorossi and the Rossoneri, it could be more than just three points at stake.
Roma
Where has it all gone wrong for the Lupi? At one point, the capital club's fans were highly enthusiastic about their team's chances at mounting a serious Scudetto challenge. However, midway through the first half of the season, things began to rapidly unravel, and unfortunately, it appears that the malaise of the last part of 2015 has carried over into the beginning of 2016.
In their last game, Roma managed to go from 2-0 up against Chievo in a must-win game to barely hanging on for a draw as the Flying Donkeys managed an impressive fightback to force Rudi Garcia's men to settle for a point. Before the Christmas break, the Italian press was already buzzing that Garcia's job was hanging by a thread. With throwing two points away to settle for a 3-3 draw, surely, at this point, the French manager's days in the capital surely are numbered unless if he can manage a drastic turnaround - starting with defeating Milan at the Stadio Olimpico this Saturday.
As things stand now, Roma have won just one match out of their nine played prior to the holiday hiatus, a very rough period that saw them dumped out of the Coppa Italia and scrape into the Champions League round of 16. Garcia's men currently sit in fifth place and are six points behind league leaders Inter; however the way that Juventus have now caught up and overtaken them by three points surely must not sit well with the team's management and fans.
For all intents and purposes, this is a must-win match for Roma and especially struggling manager Garcia, who was given a stay of execution by not losing his job over the holiday hiatus. Unfortunately, the ex-Lille boss again has a slew of injuries, with key midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Seydou Keita suffering from fitness problems, and Edin Dzeko will still miss out due to his three-match suspension. However, Francesco Totti - who has been out of action for over three months - is reportedly set to make his return, but will likely feature as a substitute.
Milan are a side that have troubled Roma in the past - with just one win for the Lupi out of their past five meetings versus the Diavolo - but the side they will be welcoming Saturday evening has also had their fair share of struggles so far, making this appear to be a more evenly contested match-up.
AC Milan
If Garcia is feeling the strain, Sinisa Mihajlovic is also in the same unfortunate boat. The Serbian tactician is Milan's third coach since the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri in 2014, and the ever-impatient Silvio Berlusconi has reportedly given him just a couple of games to save his position. As things stand, the Rossoneri have tumbled into seventh place, behind Sassuolo and are five points off a Europa League berth. Interestingly, their 28 points are only two more than what Filippo Inzaghi had earned at this juncture last season - and the former striker was promptly fired at the end of the 2014/2015 campaign.
The Stadio Olimpico has not been a place that Milan have enjoyed success, with just one win out of their past ten visits across all competitions. And with a win something that Mihajlovic desperately needs, he will have to hope that a draw is not on the cards, as three out of their past six meetings have finished as a dull 0-0 result, including this same fixture from December 2014.
Mario Balotelli, Jeremy Menez, and Diego Lopez are all still on the treatment table, but regardless of who is in the starting XI - a much-improved performance from Milan is paramount if Mihajlovic hopes to avoid the fate of ex-manager Allegri, who was not even given the time to complete the 2013/2014 campaign. Rossoneri owner Berlusconi certainly has shown no hesitations in firing managers left and right and if reports are to be believed, Mihajlovic's name could be next on the chopping block.
Which channel is broadcasting Roma vs AC Milan on TV or Online?
If reports are to be believed, this match could be indeed the last chance for both Garcia and Mihajlovic to salvage their jobs. It's going to really be a tense encounter between Roma and Milan this Saturday and one not to miss, whether it's you watching it live from the Stadio Olimpico or counting on LiveSoccerTV for viewing choices via your TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are some options for Serie A fans residing in the following countries:
- In the USA at 14.45 EST on: RAI International, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A.
- In Italy at 20.45 CET on: Sky Supercalcio HD, SKY Go Italia, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia
- In the UK at 19.45 GMT on: BT Sport Live Streaming, BT Sport Europe
- In Canada at 14.45 ET on: RAI International
Live elsewhere? Feel free to check out our special Roma vs AC Milan broadcast page for viewing times and selections for wherever you call home.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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