Serie A' MD7: Milan - Sampdoria [19-10-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 7 - 19/10/08 (14.00 UK)
Milan - Sampdoria

Stadio Meazza

Milan announced they were Scudetto contenders after stringing together five straight wins in all competition, but will Sampdoria cause an upset and show they spoke too soon?

The Rossoneri had a disastrous start to the campaign with two straight defeats, but seemed to have turned it all around with back-to-back Serie A victories over Lazio, Reggina and Inter. The dour goalless draw at Cagliari before the break for international duty showed they still need to find the right mentality for the weekly slog instead of just focusing on the big games like the derby.

Samp’s problems also appear to be psychological, as they have been magnificent in the UEFA Cup, but are without a single victory in Serie A so far this season. Walter Mazzarri insists “there is no crisis” despite picking up four points from six games, in which they scored only four goals.

The attack is clearly the issue and fans have protested at the fact Emiliano Bonazzoli is the sole centre-forward supported by Antonio Cassano. Bruno Fornaroli and the newly-fit Claudio Bellucci are raring to go, but the trip to San Siro might be too risky a time to change system. Bans for Salvatore Accardi and Daniele Dessena will force adjustments with Jonathan Bottinelli and Gennaro Delvecchio likely to come in.

Gianluca Zambrotta is suspended, while Andrea Pirlo, Philippe Senderos, Marco Borriello and Kakha Kaladze are injured. Alessandro Nesta and Pippo Inzaghi made their comebacks in a midweek friendly defeat away to FK Tirana, but it remains to be seen when they will be ready to feature in a competitive clash.

It is likely Daniele Bonera will take the right-back role with Marek Jankulovski on the left, although Giuseppe Favalli is another alternative if Bonera is needed in the centre. Kaka rediscovered his form with Brazil and will again complete the Selecao trident with Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.

If there is anything that will boost the Blucerchiati’s confidence, it’s that last season Sampdoria won here 2-1, their first victory at San Siro since 1997. That result was achieved without the suspended Cassano, who bagged a brace in the 4-2 loss to Atalanta in Week 6.

Keep an eye on: Kaka (Milan) – With just one goal in Serie A so far and injury affecting his form, he will be hoping the splendid performance for Brazil can translate to club football.

Last season: Milan 1-2 Sampdoria

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

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Milan (probable): Abbiati; Favalli, Bonera, Maldini, Jankulovski; Ambrosini, Gattuso, Seedorf; Kaka, Ronaldinho; Pato

Sampdoria (probable): Mirante; Lucchini, Gastaldello, Bottinelli; Stankevicius, Delvecchio, Sammarco, Franceschini, Pieri; Cassano; Bonazzoli

Ref: To follow…

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