MD9:Empoli vs Milan

[Jager]

I wonder if Pippo will play much in this? Will Vieri see the field again in Serie A?

Empoli and Milan have both hit form at the same time and neither team has lost since Week 3. The Rossoneri will still be the undisputed favourites prior to kick-off, but confidence is high in both camps after their respective wins against Palermo and Treviso.

The Castellani clash will also see Serie A’s oldest defence come up against one of the League’s youngest. While everyone knows that Milan have quality in their experienced back line, it will be interesting to see how the Azzurri rookies like Andrea Coda cope with the host of established goalscorers in the current Diavolo side.

Another player who will be out to prove himself, should he be called upon, is Nicola Pozzi. The 19-year-old striker is on loan at Empoli from the San Siro and will be eager to impress Carlo Ancelotti with respect to his future plans in Milan. However, top scorer Francesco Tavano will continue to be their danger man.

Luckily for Empoli the injured trio of Mirko Gasparetto, Pozzi and Fabrizio Ficini are all available again. That means they are only without Nicola Ascoli and Christian Riganò. Their opponents are not as fortunate as their congested fixtures schedule is taking its toll on the squad. Massimo Ambrosini, Alessandro Nesta and Jaap Stam are all still out injured. Andriy Shevchenko is a doubt, but Pippo Inzaghi is back after he netted the winner at the weekend.



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Empoli (probable): Berti; Buscè, Coda, Pratali, Bonetto; Moro, Ficini, Almiron; Tavano, Vannucchi, Pozzi

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Costacurta, Maldini, Serginho; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Gilardino, Vieri

Ref: To folllow