Preview: AS Roma tries to stay in pursuit of Juve, while AC Milan seeks their fifth victory
We are already 15 matches into the Serie A campaign, and AC Milan only has four victories to their name. It is not often that the Rossoneri struggle this bad, but things do not look to get much easier with AS Roma coming to town.
On the day that Allegri's side found out they will take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Knockout Stage, they will have to focus on Totti & co., who have yet to lose in the current domestic campaign.
Second placed Roma will welcome back Francesco Totti, after the Italian international was out due to a hamstring injury. His return could help lift a side that has done very well this season, as they aim for only their second victory from their last six league matches.
"Totti may be 37-years-old, but we will have to watch him very closely," Allegri told reporters on Sunday. "Totti is an example to all young players on how to become a great player. I would prefer that Totti was not playing because he is the catalyst of their football and raises the quality level of the whole team."
Roma's manager has hinted to Totti starting the match at the San Siro, but he likely will not play the full 90 minutes.
"We're stronger with Francesco, but if the captain doesn't have 90 minutes in his legs then we'll need to assess the conditions," said Garcia.
The visitors will be without the suspended Miralem Pjanic, while Marco Borriello is out with an ankle injury picked up in training.
Allegri will be without Stephen El Shaarawy, after he picked up an injury mid-week against Ajax. The Italian striker had just come off the injury list, and was starting to find his rhythm in the team, but he now looks set to miss at least three weeks, while Ignazio Abate is also still out.
Where to watch this match - live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch AC Milan vs AS Roma live on Monday, December 16, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 ET on: RAI Internazionale, beIN Sport Play Canada
In the UK at 19:45 BST on: BT Sport 1
In the USA at 14:45 ET on: beIN Sport en Español, RAI Internazionale, beIN Sport Play, SiriusXM FC, beIN Sport USA
This match will have a different meaning to both sides. AS Roma will try to cut the distance to first placed Juve to three points, while the hosts are just trying to find some consistency in a campaign that has been very disappointing.
For full TV listings in your area, be sure to visit the AC Milan vs AS Roma match page for more info.
