Serie A: Milan - Juventus [01-12-07]

[D-Kin]

Given Milan's home form this season I'd definitely fancy our chances here.

The fact that they're playing tomorrow in the CL should help as well.

[D-Kin]

Trez plots Milan attack Tuesday 27 November, 2007

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David Trezeguet is on heroic form for Juventus and he believes that the Bianconeri’s strikers could be the difference against Milan.

The French hitman is leading Serie A’s scoring chart with 11 goals to his name and has been pivotal in guiding the Old Lady to second place.

Trez was the first to insist that Juve could compete for the Scudetto in pre-season and he thinks that his goals can help Claudio Ranieri’s men negotiate a trip to rivals Milan.

“Our attack is devastating and better than Milan – the numbers prove that,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We just keep getting better and we really showed our strength against Palermo. Morale is high and we are going to the San Siro to win.

“We know that we are a strong side, but this is the big moment with a direct battle. To win over Milan at the San Siro would be ideal.

“It’s important that we go out there with humility, but we know that we don’t have to fear anyone.”

The San Siro has been a happy hunting ground for Trezeguet as he scored his first Serie A goal there and sealed the Scudetto in 2005.

“I have always enjoyed myself at the San Siro,” Trez recalls.

“I think that soon you will see Trezeguet at his best and I have confidence that I’ll prove that on the pitch. I feel like part of this project and I will stay at Juve for life.

“Our objective is to win the title. After that, if things continue like this I will think about the Capocannoniere crown.”

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[azzurri]

They banned Juve fans from traveling, despite not being involved in any trouble over the past few week's

Juve always fill an entire end. Other than Inter, no other club does that vs Milan. There will be 10,000 - 20,000 extra Milan fans at this game than there should be.

[D-Kin]

It's pathetic, there's rarely that much trouble when these teams meet anyway.

[Aladino]

THese away fans ban is annoying. I find it unfair to the teams that are travelling. So retarded but oh well!

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 14 - 1/12/07 (19.30 UK)
Milan-Juventus

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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One of the classic Serie A fixtures returns for the first time in two years and with both teams on the ascendant it’s a mouth-watering prospect.

During the 1990s these two teams dominated the Scudetto race, but have found life tough after the Calciopoli scandal. While Juventus were demoted to Serie B, the Rossoneri were ruled out of last year’s title challenge with an eight-point penalty and have had a shaky start to this season. They are still looking for their first home victory of the campaign and have picked up an astounding 77 per cent of their points on their travels. Their record against the Bianconeri here is not particularly positive either, winning only two of their last five meetings. The most decisive was a 1-0 sealed by David Trezeguet’s early header that handed Juve the Scudetto in May 2005.

Milan are showing signs of improvement though, and last week Ronaldo made his return after six months out with a mystery injury, earning a penalty and hitting the woodwork in the 2-1 win at Cagliari. Alberto Gilardino would be a certainty to start upfront if it weren’t for the fact all five of his Serie A goals this season have been scored outside San Siro, while Pippo Inzaghi is raring to face his former club. Carlo Ancelotti is another Juve old boy, having been given a reputation as a ‘lovable loser’ while in Turin only to win every trophy at Milan. Emerson and Marek Jankulovski are injured, while Clarence Seedorf’s return could restore the Christmas Tree formation.

Juventus are flying high after their 5-0 demolition job on Palermo and have done very well against the other Scudetto contenders so far, earning draws with Inter, Roma and Fiorentina. Jorge Andrade, Zdenek Grygera and Jean-Alain Boumsong remain sidelined, but Giorgio Chiellini returns from a ban to bolster the defence. Alessandro Del Piero netted twice on Sunday evening and set up a third after coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes, so has probably done enough to win back his starting spot from Azzurri rival Vincenzo Iaquinta. Del Piero had been linked with a move to Milan when his contract talks with Juve were stalling, as he has an excellent rapport with his former Bianconeri boss Ancelotti. Trezeguet’s place is secure, the current Capocannoniere on 11 goals in 13 games.

Keep an eye on: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – The veteran is fired up after exclusion from the Azzurri and the Juventus starting XI, so this is the kind of game where he can really prove a point to his doubters.

Last season: Not played

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

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Milan (probable): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Serginho; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka; Ronaldo, Gilardino

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet

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[Aladino]

let's hope Ambro is back in time for this game, if not Seedorf will fall back into his old position

[D-Kin]

A lot will depend on how tonight goes.

[Jager]

This is going to be a great game. However I feel if Milan scores first and early, that could be bad news for Juve. The longer it goes without a goal, or a Juve goal first, the better for Juve.

As for fans and such....Milan the city has many Juve supporters. Milan has many transplanted people from the south of Italy, and they support Juve predominantly.

[Aladino]

Originally Posted by Jager

This is going to be a great game. However I feel if Milan scores first and early, that could be bad news for Juve. The longer it goes without a goal, or a Juve goal first, the better for Juve.

As for fans and such....Milan the city has many Juve supporters. Milan has many transplanted people from the south of Italy, and they support Juve predominantly.

You are right, Milan has low confidence when they approach their home games in the league. And the longer they go without a goal the more they will panic which will be a huge boost for Juve. We have to score fast

[TheDevil]

i think it will be a draw with a late del piero goal

its funny how things are
we have the best player in the world
we are playing at home
but we are picked to lose
strange how life is

[D-Kin]

This weekend is a dramatic one for Ancelotti’s men, as they welcome Juventus to San Siro in a Serie A showdown.

“We have a game on Saturday that will certainly be tough, as Juventus are in good shape and we have to recharge our batteries very quickly, otherwise we could run into problems.

“Having played six home games and not won any of them in Serie A this season, I’d say this is an excellent opportunity to end that run.

“Our physical condition is good, in general, although we can certainly improve. We have 10 days to prepare for the games in Tokyo and can work then to find our best fitness levels.”

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[skeeta]

The Ronaldo telenovella continues.

He felt a twinge in his thigh while warming up in Lisboa and was kept on the bench by Milan's medics. Now, he is officially out of the match against Juve on Saturday night, and "uncertain" for the World Club Championship in Japan.

[D-Kin]

Iaquinta sees golden Gigi Thursday 29 November, 2007

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Vincenzo Iaquinta can’t wait for Juventus’ San Siro crunch match against Milan this Saturday and believes that Gigi Buffon could be the key man.

The Bianconeri have made a fairytale return to Serie A and are sitting in second place after thumping Palermo 5-0 last weekend.

This weekend sees battle lines redrawn with Milan – a side desperately in need of a win – but Iaquinta is confident that Juve will prevail.

“We are expecting a great game, but we are relaxed,” the ex-Udinese man told Tuttosport.

“We have shown so far this campaign that we are the equal of any side in Serie A and we are going to Milan with confidence.

“It will be a tough game as they are a strong side, but we know that we can do it.

“For me, this game has the same importance as a Champions League semi-final and to play such a game at a stadium like the San Siro will be a moving experience.”

When asked whether he fears playing against European Player of the Year elect Kaka, Iaquinta stressed the importance of the Old Lady’s custodian.

“Kaka deserves the Ballon d’Or and he is a champion, but Buffon is literally out of this world,” he claimed.

“I would have given it to him as he always makes the difference.”

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[D-Kin]

Milan fear Ronnie relapse Thursday 29 November, 2007

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Milan must wait to see if Ronaldo will be fit for Saturday’s clash against Juventus after he reported a calf pain during yesterday’s warm-up.

The Brazilian star has only just returned from three months on the sidelines with a thigh injury and is desperate to make an impression.

However, El Fenomeno was ruled out of last night’s game against Benfica when he felt a strange pain in his calf before the game.

Carlo Ancelotti is insistent that the discomfort was merely muscle fatigue and stressed that the problem is “nothing serious”.

Nonetheless, club doctor Jean-Pierre Meersseman is planning to run a series of tests to discount the possibility that the latest complaint is linked to his previous injury.

Ronaldo’s loss would be a big blow ahead of a game that Ancelotti admits is a must-win.

“It will be a difficult game because they are in great form,” the former Juventus tactician admitted.

“We cannot afford to fail as a defeat would leave us too far from the top to catch the leaders.”

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