Serie A' MD23: Parma - Milan [16-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 23 - 16/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Parma - Milan

Stadio Tardini

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Milan hope to continue their remarkable comeback for a top four finish by taking on a Parma side in crisis.

The Ducali must do without January signing Cristiano Lucarelli, who limped off with a thigh problem during their disappointing 1-1 draw at Cagliari, as well as the suspended Bernardo Corradi and Francesco Parravicini. This means Igor Budan will be looking for his first goal of the season in only his fourth appearance.

Andrea Gasbarroni and Ferdinand Coly are also injury doubts for a Parma outfit without a win in six. They have dropped down to 17th place and Coach Domenico Di Carlo realises he has few chances left to keep hold of his job.

Yet beating Milan is a tall order indeed, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won six of their last seven games and have the strongest away record in Serie A with seven victories, a draw and just three defeats. Their record at the Tardini is also good, undefeated since 2003 with a draw and three straight wins.

It is always an emotional experience for Alberto Gilardino to face his former club, especially at a time when he is forced to reconsider his place in the Milan hierarchy. Alexandre Pato and Alberto Paloschi represent the new generation, while Ronaldo, Kaka and Pippo Inzaghi are still generally preferred to the misfiring Italian.

Pato and Ronaldo are currently struggling with injury, though Kaka should be back in the squad after a knee problem. Some squad rotation is required due to Wednesday’s rescheduled encounter with Livorno, put back from December because of the Club World Cup commitments, not to mention the upcoming Champions League clash with Arsenal. Another former Parma star, Daniele Bonera, should get a starting berth as well. It is crunch time for Ancelotti and he’ll need all his players on top of their game.

Keep an eye on: Alberto Gilardino (Milan) – The former Tardini hero returns to his old stomping ground prepared to make a point. History favours him, as this season all seven Serie A goals were scored away from home.

Last season: Parma 0-2 Milan

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


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Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Couto, Castellini; Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Reginaldo, Budan

Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Gourcuff, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Well I'm guessing Gilardino will start given what's happened to Ronaldo.

I fancy him to score here.

[D-Kin]

It finished 0-0.

Milan just keep stumbling.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 23 - 16/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Parma 0 - 0 Milan

Stadio Tardini

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Milan failed to score for the first time in 14 rounds, as a 0-0 at Parma slows their push for a Champions League spot.

The Rossoneri hoped to continue their comeback towards a top four finish, but were still in shock after Ronaldo snapped the tendon in his left knee during Wednesday's rescheduled Week 16 1-1 draw with Livorno. Clarence Seedorf and Alexandre Pato were also still injured, but Kaka returned to the fold. Carlo Ancelotti, Daniele Bonera and Alberto Gilardino were facing their former club, but Bernardo Corradi and Francesco Parravicini were banned.

Milan were undefeated at the Tardini since 2003, picking up a draw and three straight wins.

Giulio Falcone turned an Andrea Pisanu corner over the bar and Pippo Inzaghi failed to make the most of a defensive error. Emerson tested Luca Bucci as he got his head to Serginho's set-piece.

On 24 minutes Kaka unleashed a rocket that flashed across the face of goal and Zeljko Kalac smothered a long-range Pisanu attempt.

Cristiano Lucarelli wanted a dismissal for Kakha Kaladze's nudge when they were clear on goal, but the referee judged it shoulder-to-shoulder and waved play on.

Reginaldo flicked on a free kick with his head and Kalac flapped it over the bar. On the resulting corner Alessandro Nesta charged down a cracking Castellini half-volley that looked ready to beat the goalkeeper at the near post.

Pisanu really should have given Parma a half-time lead when a pass rolled invitingly in front of him just seven yards out, but incredibly the Under-21 international completely missed the ball!

Milan were ineffective, so Carlo Ancelotti threw on Gilardino and Andrea Pirlo for the second half. Curiously, Nelson Dida was stretchered off during the break after his back seized up while sitting on the bench.

Within 120 seconds Pirlo had proved what a crucial player he is, as a free kick was punched away by Bucci in the Rossoneri's first real chance.

Inzaghi held off Fernando Couto for a chest and half-volley on the spin that went over the bar. Soon after, Super Pippo was stopped for an extremely tight offside flag.

Parma completely revamped their front line with Igor Budan and Andrea Gasbarroni. Within 60 seconds of coming off the bench, Gasbarroni threaded through for Budan to spring the offside trap and brought a great save out of Kalac.

On 68 minutes Kaka forced Bucci into a fantastic save with his chest and volley from 10 yards, the veteran goalkeeper at full stretch for a low fingertip touch.

There was an historic moment when Paolo Maldini replaced Marek Jankulovski, celebrating his 1,000th official match between club and international level.

Another Pirlo free kick dipped over the wall and whistled inches past the near post.

There was a triple chance moments later. Inzaghi's first attempt was charged down, Bucci stuck out a foot to parry Pippo's second and Gilardino acrobatically prodded the follow-up wide from six yards.

A Gilardino header looped over the bar from Maldini's cross, but there was a sigh of relief when MacDonald Mariga's splendid volley was denied by Kalac's desperate reaction save from point-blank range. Had it gone in then it wouldn't have counted, as he was flagged offside.

Emerson should have won it for the Rossoneri in the final minute, as Bucci flapped a cross into his path, but the Brazilian blasted over the bar under no pressure.

At the other end Kalac had his palms stung by Budan's screamer at the near post that was heading in from the tightest of angles.

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Parma: Bucci; Zenoni, Couto, Falcone, Castellini; Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini (Mariga 75), Pisanu; Reginaldo (Gasbarroni 64), C Lucarelli (Budan 64)

Milan: Kalac; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski (Maldini 70); Gattuso (Gilardino 46), Emerson, Ambrosini, Serginho (Pirlo 46); Kakà; Inzaghi

Ref: Dondarini

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Dida injured by the bench Saturday 16 February, 2008

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Carlo Ancelotti admits Alexandre Pato is a doubt to face Arsenal, while he explains how Nelson Dida managed to get injured on the bench.

Kaka made his comeback in the 0-0 draw with Parma this evening, but Clarence Seedorf and Pato did not make the trip and are at risk for the Champions League.

“Seedorf will be there, I am certain, but if we do recover Pato in time then it will have to be at the last minute,” said the Coach.

Arsenal were crushed 4-0 by Manchester United in the FA Cup today and Ancelotti was impressed.

“That is quite a surprising result, but also a lovely one for me. I hope it will be the same on Wednesday night.”

Zeljko Kalac’s fine form has earned him the gloves, but he would be there anyway as Dida sustained a freak injury at the Stadio Tardini.

“Dida’s back seized up and it is quite a serious problem.” The Brazilian was stretchered off at half-time after finding he couldn’t get up off the bench.

The 0-0 draw comes just days after a 1-1 result against little Livorno, dropping precious points in the race for a Champions League place.

“In the first half we struggled under Parma’s tempo, in the second played better and could have won it.

“We are in fourth place right now and have achieved our target of being in the top four when the Champions League kicked off again, even if Fiorentina have a game in hand.”

If the Viola pick up a point against Catania on Sunday, they’ll leave Milan in fifth.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Tardini seats broke Dida? Sunday 17 February, 2008

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More details are emerging on why Nelson Dida needed a stretcher to leave the Stadio Tardini bench after his freak injury.

The goalkeeper was on the sidelines during the first half of yesterday’s 0-0 draw with Parma when the half-time whistle blew.

He attempted to stand in order to walk into the locker room with his Milan teammates when he suddenly froze on the spot.

The Brazilian’s back seized up and, after medical staff attempted for several minutes to massage the affected area, eventually a stretcher was needed to take him away.

Dida had been out of action for most of this month with a recurring back problem, but had recovered and was only kept out of the starting XI by the fine form of Zeljko Kalac.

Some newspapers have suggested the reason for this freak injury was the bitter cold or even the seats on the Tardini bench being too small.

It remains to be seen whether Dida can make the trip to London for the Champions League clash with Arsenal.

Failing that, third choice shot-stopper Valerio Fiori will be Kalac’s understudy at the Emirates Stadium.

This is the third bizarre injury to have befallen Milan players this season, the other two both involved Ronaldo.

Il Fenomeno pulled a thigh muscle while kicking footballs into the stands during the presentation of the new team jerseys, then he had another muscular problem as he was warming up during the Champions League game with Benfica.

“Once more Kalac confirmed himself to be a brilliant goalkeeper,” said Vice-President Adriano Galliani after the Australian’s saves in Parma.

“He gives us guarantees and we knew he was good, otherwise we would not have signed him.

“For the Champions League tie we hope to have Alexandre Pato and Clarence Seedorf back so we can travel to London with the whole squad, except of course for Ronaldo.”

The former Real Madrid striker is out for at least nine months after snapping the tendon in his left knee.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

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