Both AC Milan and newly promoted Parma had to settle for a draw in their opening Serie A matches, and they will be eager to secure a win when they face off on Saturday. AC Milan head to Stadio Tardini after a dramatic late comeback against Torino, while Parma held Fiorentina to a draw in their return to Italy’s top division.
Noah Okafor continued his role as AC Milan’s impactful substitute by scoring a crucial equalizer in stoppage time against Torino. With Milan trailing 2-0, new signing Alvaro Morata pulled one back before Okafor’s late goal salvaged a point for the Rossoneri.
AC Milan’s new coach, Paulo Fonseca, will be relieved not to start his tenure with a loss, especially after facing skepticism from fans earlier this summer. Fonseca is focused on closing the gap with Inter Milan, who finished 19 points ahead of Milan last season, and he needs a win against the newly promoted Parma to maintain momentum.
Parma vs. AC Milan: Stats & Head-to-Head
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Historically, AC Milan has had the upper hand over Parma, having won six of their last eight encounters and remaining unbeaten. Parma, on the other hand, will be underdogs but might see this as a chance to make an impression, as it’s the first time they have started a Serie A season with two consecutive home matches.
Parma’s return to the top flight began with a draw against Fiorentina, where Dennis Man’s goal was equalized by a Cristiano Biraghi free kick. Coach Fabio Pecchia will aim to keep Parma competitive throughout the season, having achieved an impressive average of two points per game in Serie B last season. Despite a recent defeat in the Coppa Italia to Palermo, last week’s draw should boost Parma’s confidence.
Parma vs. AC Milan: Team News & Starting Line-up
AC Milan’s Alvaro Morata, who recently returned from a successful Euro 2024 campaign, will miss the match due to a thigh injury, so either Luka Jovic or Okafor may start in his place. Okafor has been particularly effective as a substitute, scoring six of his seven Serie A goals from the bench. New signings Emerson Royal and Youssouf Fofana could feature, though Pierre Kalulu has moved to Juventus.
Parma will likely be without Hernani (calf) and Gabriel Charpentier (flexor strain), but captain Enrico Del Prato returns from suspension. Dennis Man, who had 17 goal involvements in Serie B last season, will partner with Ange-Yoan Bonny in attack. Bonny, who assisted Man’s goal against Fiorentina, has provided eight assists since last season. Parma’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made six saves in the opening match, the most in Serie A.
Parma possible starting lineup: Suzuki; Coulibaly, Del Prato, Circati, Valeri; Bernabe, Estevez; Man, Sohm, Mihaila; Bonny
AC Milan’s possible starting lineup: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Okafor.
