Roma vs. Milan: Leao responds to doubters and Soule welcomes Malen

Rafael Leao admits his new role is a ‘challenge’ at Milan, while Roma striker Matias Soulé is already seeing what Donyell Malen can bring to the team.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is a big match between fourth and second, both for the Scudetto race, and the increasingly tight battle for those Champions League places.

Christian Pulisic is benched this evening, as Leao continues to play in a more advanced and central role with Christopher Nkunku.

“It is a challenge of my mentality to play when I am not fully fit,” Leao told DAZN Italia.

“I changed some methods and am in a different position on the field. This challenge has helped me to grow as a player, to learn different things.

“I’ve also been more decisive after the injury, the staff and I are working well, and I will soon be back to 100 per cent.”

Milan need a victory to keep up the pace with Inter and break away from Napoli, who were beaten 3-0 by Juventus tonight.

“We have to focus on our results and our path, I know there are many people outside the camp who talk and don’t believe in us, but we’ve got a great squad, a great coach, and a great director,” assured Leao.

“You can see from the table that we’ve changed a lot of things this season. Today is a good opportunity to test what level we’re at.”

A win here would allow Roma to leapfrog Napoli into third place and move to within a point of Milan in second.

“We have to focus on ourselves, there are important games coming up, we are still up there and want to get even higher,” Soulé told DAZN Italia.

“There is something special tonight, as we are all up there. We are trying to do what the coach asks, and I think we’re doing it very well, although obviously we can always improve.”

Roma have struggled to convert their chances so far this season, so the arrival of Malen from Aston Villa and Robinio Vaz from Olympique Marseille has provided different characteristics.

“It’s not just the strikers who have to attack, the defenders do it to, and we forwards are the first to start the pressing as well. That kind of teamwork is fundamental,” added Soulé.

“Malen has just arrived, but you can already see what kind of player he is, with movement, technique, a good shot. We hope he can give us his best.”