AC Milan vs Juventus
November 30, 2007
AC Milan host Juventus in the big match of Round 14 at the San Siro. Both sides come into this match off of big wins in the previous week but Juve have been by far the more consistent of the two clubs. For AC Milan it will be their final Serie A match before traveling to Japan for the World Club Championship.
Claudio Ranieri’s side were outstanding last week when they hammered Palermo by a score of 5-0 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. That victory leaves them just behind Inter Milan in 2nd place of the Serie A table with 25 points, 3 points back. It must be pointed out however that both 3rd place Roma and Inter Milan have a match in hand on Juve. A big factor behind the vecchia signora’s superb form in this their first season back in top flight football has been the play of David Trezeguet. He is going through perhaps his best season ever in Italy and currently leads the Serie A in scoring with 11 goals. Together with strike partner Iaquinta they have combined for 17 goals.
Carlo Ancelotti’s club were also successful last week as they scored a 1-2 victory over the struggling Cagliari at the Sant’Elia. Milan have been a very impressive side away from home and that was their 4th win. The problem for Milan is that those are the only matches they have managed to win this year. At home they have posted just 4 draws and 2 losses. This leaves them in 9th place of Serie A with 17 points, 1 point behind 8th place Palermo.
On the injury front, Ancelotti will be without both Jankulovski and Ronaldo for this match. Therefore, the rossoneri will stick with the 4-3-2-1 with top scorer Kaka’ playing alongside Clarence Seedorf just behind Gilardino. Juventus will be without Italy world cup winning winger Mauro German Camoranesi and right back Grygera. Ranieri will go with either Marchionni or Palladino on the right flank for Camoranesi, and Jonathan Zebina of France will cover for Grygera.
While AC Milan should certainly be up for this match they will be taking on a very rugged Juve side who know how to obtain results. Juventus should be able to hold out for the result they are looking for.
Prediction: Draw 1-1
Atalanta vs AC Milan
November 10, 2007
Atalanta return home after a superb victory away Catania in Round 11. It’s been a remarkable season for the Bergamaschi so far as they have been exceeding all expectations. The victory over Catania puts them in 6th place of the league table and in line to make a decent run at qualifying for a continental competition. The play of veteran Cristiano Doni and Floccari in attack has been superb with Doni tied for third in Serie A in scoring with 6 goals. There is even more good news for Del Neri’s side this week as left back Gianpaolo Bellini is back after a one month layoff due to injury.
As for the Rossoneri, they are going through one of their worst seasons in recent memory. Last season, AC Milan had been penalized by the FIGC and had points deducted at the start of the season. This led to their hovering around mediocrity for most of the campaign. That was not the case this year but yet Milan have struggled to find their top form in the domestic league. Despite a squad list that is an embarassment of riches, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in 9th place of the league table with just 14 points form 11 matches. They are coming off of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Torino.
In truth, AC Milan’s struggles have been due in part to the turnover employed by Ancelotti. As the defending UEFA Champions League title holders, the Cup has been the priority at the San Siro and they have not used their best starting eleven for some matches. That will not be the case this week. Save for Ronaldo and Gilardino, who will start on the bench, and the injured Emerson and Jankulovski Milan will go with their full complement of players for this fixture. Kaka’, Pippo Inzaghi, and Clarence Seedorf are set to start.
While Milan are the road side this week they have actually played better on the road than they have at the San Siro where they remain winless this season. At the same time, Atalanta have won just 2 of 5 matches at home and appear to be playing a bit over their heads. Look for Milan to pull off the 3 points on the road.
Prediction: Road win (0-1)
