[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 15 - 10/12/06 (14.00 UK)
Milan - Torino

Stadio Meazza

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Milan are slowly starting along the comeback trail, but will need to be wary of a Torino side who are picking up momentum when they welcome the newly-promoted side to the San Siro. With both teams showing signs of improvement it should be a tense encounter.

With both Alberto Gilardino and Marco Borriello hitting the back of the net last week in the 2-2 draw at Cagliari, it looks like the Rossoneri could finally be overcoming their goal drought. That was the first time a striker had scored for Milan in over a month, and only the second time since the opening match of the season.

That lack of goals has also had a severe affect on the team’s results. Starting with the loss to Inter in the Milan derby they went on a spell ending with just one point from four games. They finally broke the curse with the Week 13 home win over Messina, but the draw in Cagliari was less than they would have hoped for, regardless of the sending off of Andrea Pirlo.

That red card also means that Milan will be without Pirlo for this match thanks to his suspension, but that will be far from Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest concern. The Rossoneri’s growing injury list now includes Serginho, Marcos Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Alessandro Nesta, Alessandro Costacurta, Gennaro Gattuso and first choice goalkeeper Nelson Dida. That means the likes of Zeljko Kalac, Cristian Brocchi and Daniele Bonera will have another opportunity to impress Carletto in the first team.

Torino boss Alberto Zaccheroni – facing the club he took to Scudetto glory in 1999 – has no such problems. The only absence from his side is defender Marco Di Loreto who has picked up a suspension. That means Giuseppe Pancaro, Massimo Taibi and Christian Abbiati will also return to their former club, even if only the latter – who is still owned by Milan – is expected to feature from the start.

Former club or not, Zaccheroni’s men will be eager to add to their hosts’ woes. After three consecutive victories and the enormous celebrations last week for the club’s centenary, morale is at a real high amongst the Toro squad. The fallen giants are starting to claw their way back up and with the top four now just three points away the Granata will be desperate to keep up the pace.

Man on fire: Yoann Gourcuff (Milan) – Milan may have been stumbling, but the young Frenchman has been a revelation this season. Virtually unheard of this summer the midfielder has been in excellent form since his return from injury.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Milan (L L D W D) Torino (D L W W W)

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Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gourcuff, Brocchi, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Torino (probable): Abbiati; Brevi, Cioffi, Franceschini; Comotto, Barone, Ardito, Balestri; Lazetic, Rosina; Stellone

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/mil-tor.html