Italian Serie A Match Preview: Calcio Catania vs. AC Milan
Relegation threatened Catania
Etnei have become a perennial mid-table club of Serie A. They finished 13th in the league last season. After a not-so-happening summer, not much was expected of them, and they have done precious little to climb the league
ladder.
In spite of the club’s 16th position in the Calcio charts, Catania have an amazing home record. The Sicilians have lost only two games while playing at Stadio Angelo Massimino. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan and Juventus are the only sides
to have taken maximum points off Etnei when playing on the Sicilians hunting ground.
As things stand, Catania have 22 points to their name, and are a mere three points clear of the relegation zone. Diego Simeone’s men will take on an AC Milan side that is brimming with confidence and quality. A defeat coupled with
other results going against them could push them down into relegation dogfight.
Rossoneri flying high
Massimiliano Allegri’s men started the New Year in a rather subdued manner, as the league leaders were held to consecutive draws by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Udinese-Calcio-c40789 and UC Lecce. To their credit, Rossoneri returned to winning ways against AC Cesena
last week. Moreover, Adriano Galliani masterminded a stunning January transfer campaign that erased all the disappointment from within the fan ranks.
Diavolo managed to sign http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Urby-Emanuelson-c35731 and Didac Vila in January, adding the much-needed quality and depth to the Milan lineup. With Rossoneri having qualified for the Coppa Italia semi-finals,
Allegri’s men are still in with a realistic chance of winning a treble.
Rossoneri have a four-point lead at the top of the standings, and a victory tonight will put all the pressure back on the chasing pack.
Team News
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Calcio-Catania-c38719
Pablo Alvarez, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Biagianti-c23669 are all sidelined with injuries. Thus, the Etnei tactician is sure to get headaches when choosing his squad.
Maxi Lopez, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giuseppe-Mascara-c15024 and Alejandro Gomez will lead the Etnei charge in Simeone’s 4-3-3 formation.
AC Milan
Rossoneri have as many as 11 players benched with various injuries. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Clarence-Seedorf-c9275,
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ignazio-Abate-c16673 are all sidelined.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Pato-c4901 will spearhead the attack in Allegri’s 4-3-1-2 formation.
Key Players
Maxi Lopez
The Argentine forward was a revelation last season, but his performances this term have left everything to be desired. Nonetheless, the striker is still a quality forward. Milan will take to the pitch with the intent to win and
Catania must score if they are to take points off AC Milan. Lopez will be the main forward and most of the goal-scoring responsibilities will be on his shoulders.
Alexandre Pato
With the arrival of mercurial Antonio Cassano, Pato has seen his first team position come under serious threat. Allegri gave the youngster a chance in the Coppa Italia and Pato proved a point with a deadly brace. The Brazilian
is expected to start the game tonight, but he must score if he is to cement a regular team place.
Prediction
AC Milan will approach this game with attacking intent and chances will come in plenty to both sides. Rossoneri have world-class forwards and that will prove to be the decisive factor. Diavolo will pocket three points with a 1-3
victory.
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