MD22: Milan - Siena 10/2/08 (14.00 UK)

[Jager]

Serie A Week 22 - 10/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Milan - Siena

Stadio Meazza


Milan’s sprint up the standings has taken them to fifth place with a game in hand, but they enter an injury crisis and face a Siena side fresh from hammering Roma 3-0.

The Rossoneri’s hopes of a Champions League spot seemed dead and buried only a few weeks ago, but their run of three straight victories has pushed them back into the thick of it. The fact that in that time they have beaten rivals Udinese and Fiorentina in their own back yard has boosted confidence no end and made them seem like the new favourites for a top four finish.

However, the 1-0 victory against the Viola brought with it some bad news. Alexandre Pato scored his fourth – and decisive – goal before he was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious ankle sprain. Alberto Gilardino was booked for dissent and will be suspended, so with Ronaldo, Pippo Inzaghi and Gennaro Gattuso still injured, this leaves Carlo Ancelotti with precious few options upfront.

We could see Kaka used as the lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 system, supported by Clarence Seedorf and Yoann Gourcuff. Emerson is set to fill in for Gattuso and Zeljko Kalac keeps hold of the gloves despite Nelson Dida’s recovery from a shoulder problem.

There is also the risk of tiredness, as Massimo Ambrosini, Massimo Oddo, Andrea Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kakha Kaladze and Dario Simic were called away on international duty and the Champions League clash with Arsenal is on the horizon along with the rescheduled Serie A meeting with Livorno on February 13.

If Milan are in ebullient mood, then Siena are positively soaring after thrashing Scudetto contenders Roma 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. It was the Giallorossi’s first away defeat and only their second Serie A loss of the season, serving to reiterate what an extraordinary achievement this was by the Tuscan minnows. The fact it was done without talisman Tomas Locatelli and Under-21 international Daniele Galloppa just adds to the fairytale, but can they add another chapter at San Siro?

Trequartista Houssine Kharja and midfielder Lucas Jarolim were particularly impressive against Roma and retain their places in the starting XI, which should remain unchanged after that remarkable performance.

Having scared Inter with a slender 3-2 defeat and beaten Palermo and Roma in recent weeks, nobody can take Siena for granted, even if they are in the relegation zone. Milan already have bad memories of last season’s 0-0 draw, the first time Siena have emerged unbeaten from this fixture in Serie A.

Keep an eye on: Houssine Kharja (Siena) – Locatelli’s injury gave the 25-year-old Tunisian the chance to make his first appearance of the season and at times he terrorised the Roma defence.

Last season: Milan 0-0 Siena

Form guide: Milan (W L W W W) Siena (L L W L W)


Milan (probable): Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Emerson; Seedorf, Gourcuff; Kaka

Siena (probable): Manninger; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, De Ceglie; Jarolim, Codrea, Vergassola; Kharja; Maccarone, Frick

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Milan have got serious issues up front.

Kaka is a doubt as well.

[D-Kin]

Siena squad:

Alberto, Bertotto, Codrea, Coppola, De Ceglie, Eleftheropoulos, Forestieri, Frick, Guadalupi, Jaakkola, Jarolim, Kharja, Locatelli, Loria, Maccarone, Manninger, Porta, Portanova, Rossettini, Rossi, Vergassola.

[Aladino]

Tbh I am actually worried about this game. We have too many injuries for this game and Siena are extremely confidnet after last weeks win and they are scoring too! A Pippo or Ronie miracle will do but it will be tough! This injury crisis needs to end

[Aladino]

Here is the starting line-up:

MILAN-SIENA: LE FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI
10/02/2008
MILANO - Queste le formazioni ufficiali di Milan e Siena:
MILAN: Kalac; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Serginho; Ronaldo, Inzaghi
SIENA: Manninger; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, De Ceglie; Jarolim, Codrea, Vergassola; Maccarone, Frick | |

FORZA RAGAZZI

[D-Kin]

Both Ronaldo and Inzaghi back then, interesting.

[D-Kin]

HT 0-0.

[D-Kin]

Less than 10 minutes left and Milan are 1-0 up.

[D-Kin]

FT 1-0 to Milan.

[D-Kin]

It was Paloschi (the youth team player) that got the goal on his debut.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 22 - 10/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Milan 1 - 0 Siena
Paloschi 63 (M)
Stadio Meazza

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A star is born, as 18-year-old Alberto Paloschi scored the winner 15 seconds into his Serie A debut!

The Rossoneri had risen to fifth place with a game in hand following three wins on the trot, but Alberto Gilardino was suspended, Kaka, Alexandre Pato and Gennaro Gattuso injured, so Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi formed an unlikely partnership. Siena were fresh from a shock 3-0 drubbing of Roma, following on from a victory over Palermo and a slender 3-2 loss to Inter.

Last season this tie ended 0-0, the first time Siena had emerged undefeated. Both goalkeepers were forced into splendid saves in the opening six minutes, as Zeljko Kalac flew to parry a Mario Frick snapshot and Alex Manninger had his palms stung by an Inzaghi counter-attack.

Siena hit the back of the net after 13 minutes, but the goal was disallowed for a very tight Tomas Locatelli offside position, as he may have been kept in play by Marek Jankulovski before he volleyed in from seven yards.

Serginho nutmegged Locatelli only to hit the side-netting, then Inzaghi spun round his marker to drill over the bar from Massimo Ambrosini's assist. Serginho was in splendid form in a rare start and some more fancy footwork sent Ronaldo clear, but Il Fenomeno's effort was charged down.

Inzaghi got in front of his marker at the near post to nod a Serginho cross on to the side-netting, while at the other end Massimo Maccarone was not alert enough to pounce on Lukas Jarolim's smart cross.

Milan made two substitutions at half-time and Manninger risked dismissal as he rushed out to clear outside the box, almost handling. Inzaghi was furious as he was stopped alone on goal for a debatable offside position, as Portanova seemed to be keeping him in play.

Yet on 51 minutes Siena went closer than anyone to a goal, Frick sweeping a right-foot strike on to the upright from nine yards.Substitute Clarence Seedorf lost the ball in midfield an Simone Vergassola launched Maccarone's counter, but Daniele Bonera did just enough to put him off and Kalac saved the shot.

Locatelli had another great chance for Siena, nodding over an empty net under no pressure. The San Siro crowd started to jeer and Carlo Ancelotti resorted to desperate measures - 18-year-old youth striker Alberto Paloschi.

It proved inspired, as 15 seconds into his debut the teen let the ball bounce and cracked a fantastic right-foot strike into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box! After Pato, another youngster made a sensational San Siro debut.

Siena were stunned, but fought back with Locatelli drilling past the post. Paloschi combined brilliantly with Inzaghi and had the crowd on its feet again, then Manninger flew to parry Seedorf's rocket from distance.

Simone Vergassola was shown a straight red card for stopping a clear scoring opportunity, as he raised his arm - albeit very close to the incident - to block Inzaghi's counter.

In the final minute Kalac performed a fantastic save on Frick's flicked header and Manninger went up for the last corner kick, but ended up causing more problems as he got in the way of teammate Simone Loria.

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Milan: Kalac; Cafu, Nesta (Bonera 46), Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Serginho (Paloschi 63); Ronaldo (Seedorf 46), Inzaghi

Siena: Manninger; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, De Ceglie; Jarolim (Kharja 73), Codrea, Vergassola; Locatelli (Forestieri 75); Maccarone, Frick

Ref: Orsato

Sent off: Vergassola 80 (S)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Grazie a Paloschi. Absolutely brilliant for him. You should have seen Carletto's face after Paloschi scored. A vital win, now we are only 2 points behind Fiornetina. A win against Livorno...

[D-Kin]

Bosses bow to Paloschi destiny Sunday 10 February, 2008

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Carlo Ancelotti and Mario Beretta believe Alberto Paloschi was destined to score against Siena.

The 18-year-old Milan striker netted the winning goal 15 seconds into his Serie A debut at San Siro.

“Paloschi wasn’t meant to be here,” revealed Ancelotti. “He was at the Viareggio youth tournament when there was an injury crisis, so we recalled him.

“It seems to be destiny, as he has scored in all three of the official games he has played in. Among our strikers he is the most prolific.”

Paloschi also scored two goals in his two Coppa Italia matches earlier this season and has earned his step up from the Primavera side.

“Now he will stay with the senior squad because we need him right now, but he has to be given the time to grow.”

The goal got the Rossoneri out of a sticky situation, as they were struggling badly against a Siena side that had thrashed Roma 3-0 last week.

“We knew there were going to be difficulties and tried to make the most of our chances. The 4-4-2 system was necessary because we were without Kaka and Clarence Seedorf, so opted to introduce Serginho.”

Paloschi’s goal may have been a shock to everyone at San Siro, but not to Siena boss Beretta.

“He is an excellent player and a good lad. When he stepped on to the pitch I said he’d score. Next time I’ll keep quiet!”

The Tuscans put in another splendid performance against one of the big clubs, but came away empty-handed.

“We wasted so many scoring opportunities in a great performance. We were unlucky, hit the upright and did not deserve to lose, but in any case this is not the place where we are expected to pick up points.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

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