After losing to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and Empoli on penalties in the Coppa Italia midweek, the Bianconeri became the target of irate fan demonstrations. After a month away, Pierre Kalulu rejoined the team, but Francisco Conceicao joined Douglas Luiz, Renato Veiga, Nicolò Savona, Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Arek Milik on the treatment table. After the 1-0 victory over Fiorentina, Domagoj Bradaric returned from suspension, while Daniel Mosquera, Martin Frese, Suat Serdar, and Abdou Harroui were absent for Hellas. Paolo Zanetti, the coach, was suspended for not playing.

Manuel Locatelli blasted over the bar, followed by Tomas Suslov and Amin Sarr both firing straight at Michele Di Gregorio from the edge of the area. Federico Gatti volleyed just wide after Lorenzo Montipò fumbled a Kenan Yildiz free kick, but the goalkeeper was remarkable with the low one-handed save to deny Thuram from 12 yards.