Serie A: Reggina - Milan [30-01-08]

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Ulivieri plots Milan miracle Wednesday 30 January, 2008

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Struggling Reggina will need a heroic performance to stop Milan in tonight’s rescheduled Week 15 clash, but boss Renzo Ulivieri is quietly confident.

Milan will be determined to make up for their defeat against Atalanta in a postponed Week 12 fixture as they travel to Calabria for another game in hand.

Reggina showed great spirit to bounce back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Atalanta last weekend, but they are still embroiled in a relegation dogfight and are badly in need of points.

With Emil Hallfredsson, Franco Brienza, Joelson, Nicola Amoruso and Carlos Valdez all out, Ulivieri is relieved to welcome back veteran Francesco Cozza.

“Cozza will come back in as a starter,” the wily tactician declared. “But the rest of the selection decisions will be made shortly before kick-off.”

Ulivieri’s men take on Torino in a crucial six-pointer this weekend, but the Rossoneri are occupying the ex-Bologna boss’ mind for now.

“From Thursday we will be thinking about the Torino clash, but without a doubt all our focus is on Milan at the moment,” he said.

“We will have to be determined and play a tight game against such strong opposition. We don’t have the luxury of playing open football against Milan.

“They are a side of champions who have represented Italy so well in Europe and in the world and we have to show them respect for that.

“However, we have set our sights on picking up points and that goes for this game too.”

Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Cirillo, Aronica; Vigiani, Barreto, Cozza, Tognozzi, Modesto; Ceravolo, Stuani

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Serie A Week 15 - 30/1/08 (19.30 UK)
Reggina 0 - 1 Milan
Gilardino 18 (M)
Stadio Granillo

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Alberto Gilardino's goal proved enough to maintain Milan's climb up the table as they conquer Reggina 1-0 in a rescheduled Week 15 tie.

This match was rescheduled from December 9, 2007 due to the Rossoneri's participation in the Club World Cup in Japan. Nelson Dida, Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi were injured, so Alexandre Pato partnered Alberto Gilardino just three days after the Brazilian teenager bagged both goals in the 2-0 victory over Genoa. Reggina were fresh from a 2-2 draw away to Atalanta, where they fought back from 2-0 down, but Emil Halfredsson and Nicola Amoruso were sidelined.

Gennaro Gattuso scored a rare goal against Atalanta last week, albeit with the aid of a deflection, and he tried to repeat the trick with a fierce right-foot drive that the 'keeper palmed out for a corner. Pato, Kaka and Reggina's Emmanuel Cascione had efforts from distance.

Milan broke the deadlock after 18 minutes with under-fire Alberto Gilardino. An Andrea Pirlo cross found Gila unmarked at the back post and although Andrea Campagnolo got a hand to it, the free header was too powerful and squeezed in. It was the former Parma striker's seventh Serie A goal of the season, all of them away from home.

Moments later Gilardino nodded a Pirlo free kick just over, but he was in an offside position. Alvarez did well to close down Kaka as he ran on to an inspired chipped Pirlo pass, but Gattuso had another two attempts from the edge of the box, the second bringing a save out of Campagnolo.

Reggina's first real scoring opportunity was on 32 minutes, as Fabio Ceravolo got away from Alessandro Nesta and tested Zeljko Kalac at the near post.

Pato fired over from the D and Kaka drilled just wide before the break, while Gattuso and Simone Missiroli had long-range efforts after the restart.

The Amaranto threw on January signing Cristian Stuani and Campagnolo fingertipped a Pirlo set-piece out for a corner.

In the space of 20 seconds Milan had two fantastic opportunities to double their advantage. First Pirlo's free kick was curled over the wall and on to the crossbar, then as the move continued Campagnolo performed an incredible point-blank reaction save on Emerson.

A splendid Pato volley flashed wide of the near post, but the 18-year-old wasted a counter with a terrible finish. Gilardino was at full stretch to toe-poke a Massimo Oddo cross just past the far post.

Substitutes Cristian Brocchi and Yoann Gourcuff kept the Reggina defence busy late on.

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Milan: Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo (Brocchi 82), Emerson; Kakà; Pato (Gourcuff 82), Gilardino
Reggina: Campagnalo; Lanzaro, Cirillo, Aronica; Alvarez, Cascione (Barreto 68), Cozza, Modesto; Vigiani (Montiel 74), Missiroli; Ceravolo (Stuani 61)
Ref: De Marco

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Ancelotti thanks Gilardino Wednesday 30 January, 2008

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Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Alberto Gilardino for “gifting us six points,” but Renzo Ulivieri regrets Reggina’s mistakes.

Milan won the rescheduled Week 15 tie at the Stadio Granillo thanks to the former Parma striker’s first half header.

“Milan need him, he has scored two away goals now and they are worth six points. When he plays, he always turns up and represents a very important element in the squad,” said Ancelotti.

“We have never had any problems. There are players who get less space and have to be worked with more carefully, but everyone acts with great professionalism.”

Emerson also got a rare start and this prompted the Coach into a tactical reshuffle in Reggio Calabria.

“Overall it was a good game played with attention to detail and it went well. Andrea Pirlo was in a less central position to make it easier for Emerson and he provided the assist for the goal.

“Pato played slightly deeper and had several good chances. He played slightly different from usual because Edgar Alvarez marked Kaka. Is Pato tired? He has no right to be aged 18!”

Reggina boss Ulivieri was disappointed at the defeat that leaves them just one point above the relegation zone.

“We have to get our strength back, as we have used up a lot of energy,” said the veteran tactician.

“Milan dominated possession, although I have to say that towards the end we improved. They really know how to keep the ball and force you to sit back.

“We made two bad mistakes and paid for one of them with the goal. We have to improve on starting play from the back and Francesco Cozza is crucial for that.

“Now we will have to fight to the bitter end this season and are going into a tough fixture list.”

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