The Nerazzurri looking to extend their unbeaten record at home, while Massimiliano Allegri’s men hoping to compile pressure on Juventus...
High-Flying, Atalanta will take on in-form, A.C Milan, in matchday 17 encounter of the 2011/12 Serie A at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at 14:00 GMT.
It promises to be an interesting battle, as Stefano Colantuono’s men are yet to taste a defeat at home this season. On the other hand, the Italian Champions are in rich vein of form, and have picked up six wins from their last
seven league games.
Atalanta
Atalanta find themselves 11th in the league standings, and had they not been charged with a six point penalty, they could have been on the 5th spot. The Nerazzurri are enjoying a great run at home, and are
yet to lose a game at Stadio Atleti Azzurri this season. They come into this game on the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Cesena before the winter break.
The Nerazzurri will need to take their mind off the match fixing issues of late, as their former skipper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Doni-c11553, was arrested recently. The last time the two teams met at this ground was in 2009/10 Serie A, and Atalanta
managed to scrape a point from the game.
A.C Milan
The Champions have returned from the traditional training camp in Dubai during the winter break. They also took part in a friendly game against Paris Saint Germain, and managed to nick a close fought win in Carlo Ancelotti’s debut
game as the manager of the French side.
The Rossoneri ended 2011 on a high, as they finished the year on top of the table. Massimiliano Allegri will be hoping to start from where they left before the winter break, and they will be looking to impose the pressure on Juventus.
Milan are joint top in the Serie A standings, and their superior goal difference places them above the Turin giants.
Team News
Atalanta
There are no major injury worries for the hosts, as only Daniele Capelli and Matteo Brighi are missing for this game. Colantuono is likely to persist with 4-4-1-1 formation with leading goal-scorer of the season, Germain Denis,
playing upfront.
Atalanta (probable): Consigli; Masiello, Ferri, Manfredini, Peluso; Schelotto, Cigarini, Padoin, Bonaventura; Marilungo; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denis-c10837
A.C Milan
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gennaro-Gattuso-c14525, back after missing the action for approximately four
months. The former Italian international had an eye problem and underwent an operation for it. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Pato-c4901 pushing for a first-team place.
Milan (probable): Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Silva-c34903, Antonini; Aquilani, Van Bommel, Nocerino; Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho
Players to Watch
Germain Denis (Atalanta)
The Argentine international has been in sensational form since joining the club on-loan from Udinese before the start of the season. The 30-year-old is the leading goal-scorer in the league so far, and has bagged 12 strikes from
16 matches. Denis is confident of continuing his dream run against the Champions and was quoted as saying “I already know how to score against Milan.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 (A.C Milan)
The Swede is right behind Denis in the goal-scoring charts, and will be hoping to overtake him in the list. Ibrahimovic has once again been an influential figure in his team’s success so far this season, and he will have to continue
the good work in the New Year too.
Prediction
Despite their impressive performances of late, Atalanta will find it hard to overcome the in-from Champions. The visitors are likely to ease past their opponents by at least two goals.
Verdict: 0-2
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