Serie A: Milan - Lazio [01-03-08]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 26 - 1/3/08 (19.30 UK)
Milan - Lazio

Stadio Meazza

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Milan welcome Lazio to the Meazza with open arms as the Rossoneri look for a repeat performance of their stunning 5-1 victory against the Biancocelesti last October. Carlo Ancelotti’s side relinquished fourth place at bogey side Catania on Wednesday evening and cannot afford to slip up if they are to qualify for the Champions League next term.

The European champions were sluggish at the Massimino. Paolo Maldini captained a starting XI, including Alexandre Pato, with an average age of 32 to a dismal 1-1 draw. The absences of Kaka and Pirlo were telling as Milan lacked any creative spark and had to rely on the individual brilliance of Pato to get a result. Ancelotti said: “It was a missed opportunity. We took the lead and I am disappointed we could not manage it better.”

Fiorentina’s defeat of Livorno means that the Rossoneri cannot relax against Lazio ahead of their European tie with Arsenal on Tuesday. The home side have to win if they are to keep step with the Viola. Milan’s run-in is tougher than the other contenders vying for a final Champions League spot – the Rossoneri go to Udine on the final day of the season and have yet to travel to Juventus, Roma and Napoli.

Milanisti woes are compounded by the suspension of Giuseppe Favalli and doubts over the fitness of Rino Gattuso, Kakha Kaladze and former Laziale Alessandro Nesta. Milan’s home record of only four wins out of 12 would give heart to Lazio if only they were decent on their travels. Delio Rossi’s outfit have only won once away all season and the Aquilotti haven’t been victorious at the San Siro in Serie A since 1989 when Maldini scored an own goal.

It’s been an odd campaign for Lazio who, this time last year, were enjoying a run of eight consecutive victories that incredibly led them to third place and a European berth in spite of a penalisation levied for involvement in Calciopoli.

But the Champions League damaged the club’s domestic form. While competing in the group stages between October and November the capital side lost four games in a row and are still struggling for consistency. January signing Rolando Bianchi is trying to help the team turn over a new leaf – he got his first goal and three points for the Laziali against his old club Reggina in midweek.

The comeback of Tommaso Rocchi to the team – and the scoring charts – after injury and the return of Valon Behrami from suspension give Delio Rossi plenty of options to break an almost 20-year duck at the San Siro.

Keep an eye on: Alexandre Pato (Milan) – Younger by seven years than his teammates on Wednesday, Il Papero has lived up to the hype. He has netted five times in eight games with both feet and is responding well to the added responsibility that came after Ronaldo’s injury.

Last season: Milan 2-1 Lazio

Form guide: Milan (W W DW D) Lazio (D W L W L W)

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Milan (probable): Kalac; Oddo, Maldini, Bonera, Cafu; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Brocchi; Seedorf; Pato, Inzaghi

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Radu, Cribari, Siviglia, De Silvestri; Manfredini, Ledesma, Dabo; Meghni; Pandev, Bianchi

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