GdS: The value of experience – how Milan and Roma squads compare in Europe

SempreMilan

·11 avril 2024

GdS: The value of experience – how Milan and Roma squads compare in Europe

Beyond the plays of individuals and the tactical schemes of the two coaches, the ‘Euroderby’ between AC Milan and Roma could well be decided simply by who handles the occasion better.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, the tie will also be a question of experience, of getting used to certain atmospheres and dealing with them best, and both clubs kno

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Only a few months ago the Rossoneri were playing in the semi-finals of the Champions League, while the Giallorossi came close to triumphing in the Europa League after winning the Conference League.

In recent years, Milan have slowly regained confidence in Europe after a period of absence, reaching the final four last season and beating Napoli along the way.

In Europe, Roma have performed well especially recently. The number of appearances of the singles in the European cups helps to give a first overview of the comparison. With a total of 1,078 overall appearances in UEFA competitions, the Giallorossi look down on the Rossoneri, stuck at 729.

The gap remains similar considering only the Europa League, the venue for the quarter-final clash: the Roma players have 619 appearances, the men of Pioli only 248.

Experience

In terms of games played in Europe, Roma wins the comparison in all departments. For example, the Giallorossi defenders have collected 367 appearances so far, 237 of which came in the Europa League alone.

The leader is Smalling, at 98 (44 in the Champions League, 44 in the Europa League and 10 in the Conference), while the most experienced Milan player in this case it is the great former Alessandro Florenzi, with 62 (51 in the Champions League and 11 in the Europa).

In midfield, the Diavolo’s number one is Loftus-Cheek, with 36 appearances (15 in the Europa League), while among the Capitoline players it is the ex-Milan man Cristante who is in command with 76 appearances (51 in the Europa League). A good dose of experience will also be brought by captain Pellegrini, with 66 appearances.

Things are a bit closer up front. The Rossoneri forwards have played 297 games in Europe, 94 in UEL. The Giallorossi’s attacking department are on 315, 135 in UEL. Looking down on everyone is Giroud, who beats Lukaku 88 to 85. The top scorer is ‘Big Rom’, who with 45 goals surpasses Giroud’s 40 goals.

Trophies

Shifting the attention to continental trophies, Mancini, Pellegrini, Cristante and more can smile after the UEFA Conference League won two years ago under Mourinho’s guidance.

Among the Rossoneri, Giroud and Pulisic hoisted a Champions League trophy with Chelsea in the 2020-21 season, with Abraham there too.

Theo Hernandez also has a Champions League title under his belt, thanks to three appearances in the group stage of the competition with Real Madrid in the 2017-18 season.

Together with Loftus-Cheek, Giroud also won the Europa League with Sarri in the 2018-19 season. The second European trophy was then won by Chukwueze with Villarreal (2021) and by the Roma players Smalling (2017) and N’Dicka (2022), respectively with Manchester United and Eintracht Frankfurt.