Milan director Ricky Massara remembers Fiorentina captain Davide Astori on the anniversary of his death and hails Stefano Pioli for showing patience with young players.
It kicks off at the Stadio Franchi at 19.45 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
There will be emotional scenes in Florence this evening, as it is the fifth anniversary of the death of Viola captain Davide Astori.
In a twist of fate, this is the game between the clubs where Astori started and ended his career, with Stefano Pioli who was the Fiorentina coach at the time of his death.
“Astori was a lad who loved football and a good guy, always very polite, who passed on a sense of calm to everyone he met. He was also a very talented player. On this anniversary, we send an embrace to all his family,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.
With Brahim Diaz injured, Rafael Leao and Rade Krunic suspended, Charles De Ketelaere starts and Milan hope he can finally get his first goal for the club.
“It is a natural evolution for all young players who come to a new country and a club like Milan. He is improving in training and we trust he’ll be able to show what he can do starting from tonight’s game.”
The change of tactics to a three-man defence was not the only reason behind the transformation in their fortunes, which has seen them win their last four competitive matches with clean sheets.
“We are happy to have turned the tide, but we know it’s a long road ahead and tonight’s match is very difficult. Several different elements allowed us to rediscover our unity and focus, just as there was not only one reason why we had fallen off form during that difficult period.”
Malick Thiaw was a summer signing who did not gain much attention, but since the change of system has become a key figure in the defence.
“Malick is doing well in recent weeks, but don’t forget he was born in 2001 and there is a lot of pressure in Italian football. We are fortunate to have a coach like Stefano Pioli who has patience to work with these lads and get the best out of them.”
Massara was asked yet again if there were developments on the contract extensions of Leao and Olivier Giroud.
“There is nothing new to report this week on the contract extensions, but the talks continue and we want to keep them for a long time.”