Serie A' MD28: Milan - Roma [15-03-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 28 - 15/3/08 (19.30 UK)
Roma - Milan

Stadio Olimpico

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The biggest clash of Week 28 takes place at the Stadio Olimpico as Scudetto-chasing Roma play host to Milan. The visitors require a victory to continue their assault on fourth place, but in doing so they would almost certainly end the Giallorossi’s title challenge – thus handing the trophy to neighbours Inter.

The Rossoneri were shell-shocked last week by their defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League second round, which kept up the recent trend of the competition winners failing to overcome the second hurdle of their defence. Nonetheless, their late victory over Empoli – which required goals from Massimo Ambrosini and Kaka in the last five minutes – snapped a two-game winless skid and moved them just a point behind Fiorentina in the race to secure the fourth and final spot for next season’s European Cup.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is likely to stick with the majority of the side who overcame the Tuscan minnows, but he is able to welcome back Gennaro Gattuso after suspension. The former Rangers man will take the place of Yoann Gourcuff, who failed to make the most of just his fourth League start of the campaign. The Diavolo are still without Brazilian quartet Marcos Cafu, Nelson Dida, Ronaldo and Serginho, but both Clarence Seedorf and Alessandro Nesta are expected to shake off minor knocks to take a place on the bench.

Javier Zanetti’s last-gasp equaliser for Inter against Roma back at the end of February looked almost certain to have ended the Eternal City outfit’s title charge, but a mini-Nerazzurro collapse has pushed them right back into the frame just six points behind. Their challenge was maintained by a fine win in Naples against a Napoli side who just a week earlier had defeated Inter. Goals by Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti proved to be the difference, with the latter’s tally currently an impressive 13 strikes in just 19 appearances.

Both men are expected to line-up against the Rossoneri in a virtually unchanged starting XI. Coach Luciano Spalletti is tipped to make just a minor adjustment to his defence by bringing in Max Tonetto for Cicinho. That means former Milan stopper Christian Panucci can revert to right-back, while Juan will take a central role alongside Philippe Mexes, who netted a sublime goal in last season’s 1-1 draw between the two sides.

However, Roma have had the better of recent meetings after winning earlier this season to go with a fine San Siro victory last term. Prior to last term the clubs regularly took it in turns to take the three points, although Milan can perhaps claim that they won the most important game. Andriy Shevchenko’s first minute goal back in May 2004 handed the Rossoneri the points and ensured that they were crowned Campioni d’Italia. A similar result this time out would almost certainly mean that Inter would claim that prize for a third consecutive season…

Keep an eye on: Alexandre Pato (Milan) – The Brazilian kid has enjoyed a stunning start to life at San Siro. Can he continue the trend against Roma to virtually end their Scudetto hopes?

Last season: Roma 1-1 Milan

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


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Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic; Totti

Milan (probable): Kalac; Oddo, Maldini, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Pato, Gilardino

Ref: To follow...

a tough game, by far these past 2 weeks we have pulled in some very very good performances.i hope those results wont get the better of us come this game.as we still need to be spic and span for whole 90' duration.

milan will want to get their 4th place back and will be very very offensive and wont hold back.we at the same time have break their resolve while at the same time make no errors what so ever.over confidence could be like poison in our team and we must see to it that it doesnt get to us.

still going strong n all 3 fronts, lets make the most out of this game.all in all looking forward to another top team clash

[Jager]

I can't wait to see this one. Roma's form has been impeccable, but they have other pressing concerns. Milan need this, they will play an incredible game I feel, but Roma are favourites.

[LAF]

Tough game to call. Milan haven't looked good in MF recently but Milan are unpredictable.

Two very good passing teams going at it. It should be great.

[dukeofdavinci]

Mirko expects Inter angst Thursday 13 March, 2008

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Roma striker Mirko Vucinic thinks that Inter will be emotionally scarred by their Champions League exit.

The leaders have a six-point advantage at the top of Serie A, but they were sent crashing out of Europe by Liverpool on Tuesday evening.

Vucinic is hoping that a traumatic week for the Nerazzurri will have an adverse effect on the Milanese giants.

“From a psychological point of view they will lose something,” the Montenegrin international insisted.

“It’s not easy to get over the disappointment of going out of Europe. I think it would have been the same if it had happened to us.”

Roma are in the opposite position after celebrating a superb last 16 triumph over Spanish champions Real Madrid.

“I am very happy for the team and from a personal point of view,” Vucinic continued.

“We have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite being up against a very strong team.”

The Giallorossi will watch tomorrow’s draw for the last eight in Nyon, Switzerland with interest and Vucinic revealed his dream draw.

“Schalke or Fenerbahce would be best,” he stated. “Either one of those two would be fine, even if they are both good teams and have come this far.”

Nonetheless, Vucinic’s priority remains Serie A rather than the Champions League.

“Without a doubt I would prefer to win the Scudetto,” the former Lecce man declared.

“We have been behind Inter the whole way so to win it now would be all the more satisfying.”

practically dont care how inter are feeling and nor should we be concern wth them.we got our own problems and thing to worry about.

[sinoy1]

Time to focus on Milan.Lets hope we can win and creep forward and instill fear in Man U

[dukeofdavinci]

creeping in seems better but fear now thats whole diffrent thing, im just afraid a backlash from milan the got to point where they have nothing to loose and who knows where that will end up and what it will do to our hopes in other fronts.

[sinoy1]

No Aquilani? why not?!

[sinoy1]

PERROTTA NEEDS TO SHOOT!

[hijjawi1]

Pato Skills (Min 16)

Click Here for Video

[hijjawi1]

Mancini Bicycle Kick (Min 25)

Click Here for Video

[sinoy1]

what was up with that corner kick? Did one of our players touch it first only for taddie to run in and keep running? I think thats what we're argueing about here.

De Rossi has been huge.Shutting down that midfield.

[Jager]

Good game thus far. Milan is in it, after they were under Roma attack for a long time. Totti missed a lot of chances, might come back to haunt him.

Cheeky move on the CK, but as the rule says, you can't play it to yourself, as that is too much of an advantage.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by sinoy1

what was up with that corner kick? Did one of our players touch it first only for taddie to run in and keep running? I think thats what we're argueing about here.

He played it to himself, which is against the rules.

[sinoy1]

Originally Posted by Jager

He played it to himself, which is against the rules.

Nah Pizarro touched it first then taddie came and picked it up....a bit too smart for the refs.second half starting up.

[sinoy1]

Doni with a nice casual save scary moment.