Italian Serie A preview: Bologna FC – AC Milan
Rossoblu exceeding expectations
Bologna are just one of the many teams that were expected to struggle against the drop prior to the season start but Rossoblu have exceeded all expectations and are pulling themselves clear of the stuttering lot.
Alberto Malesani’s men are positioned 13th in the league after 15 rounds of football. Rossoblu have accumulated 19 points on the way; seven clear of relegation zone. Last week, Bologna won their fourth league game at home when they played Chievo
Verona and encouragingly enough, Malesani’s sidea is still undefeated at home.
Marco Di Vaio has been turning back the years this season and the manager will hope for yet another masterpiece this time. Bologna have an impressive record against the Serie A big boys as they have taken points off Inter Milan, Juventus FC and UC Sampdoria.
With Rossoblu having conceded only three goals at home, Di Vaio and Co. will take to the pitch confident of taking points off league leaders.
Rossoneri looking to go clear
Massimiliano Allegri will be eager to return to winning ways in the wake of 2 – 0 home defeat at the hands of Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League. Granted, it was a meaningless encounter with Rossoneri already having sealed the progression to the next
round but the manager will be hoping it does not break momentum that AC Milan had gathered over the months – the defeat was Milan’s first in nine games in all competitions.
As things stand, AC Milan lead the Serie A charts with 33 points from the opening 15 games; three points clear of SS Lazio who are in second spot. With both Lazio and Juventus locking horns later tonight, AC Milan have the opportunity of extending their
lead at the top even further.
Rossoneri have an excellent away record in the league. Allegri’s men have played seven away games while emerging victorious in four and conceding just seven goals in the process. However, with world class defender Thiago Silva out for up to six months; Allegri
will have to start a make shift centre back pairing and that would be interesting to see.
Team News
Bologna FC
Rossoblu are without the services of Diego Perez and Massimo Mutarelli as the two are out injured. Alberto Malesani will start Marco Di Vaio and Henry Gimenez in a 4-3-1-2 formation.
AC Milan
For AC Milan, Alexandre Pato, Filippo Inzaghi and Oduamadi are longer-term injuries but Thiago Silva and Mathieu Flamini have joined on the sidelines. In Silva’s absence, Yepes is expected to start alongside Nesta in the heart of the defence. Allegri will
play an attacking 4-3-1-2 formation with Robinho and Ibrahimovic leading the lines.
Key Players
Marco Di Vaio
The former Lazio striker has put many a defence to the sword this season and has expressed his desire to do the same this evening. In Milan’s defensive line up; particularly his old friend Alessandro Nesta will have to be on his best.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The lanky Swede is the sole reason Milan are flying so high on domestic front. Ibra has scored 8 league goals for Rossoneri and should the striker be in mood tonight, Milan will take the three points with consummate ease.
Prediction
Milan might boast of a superior squad but Rossoblu are terrifically organized at the back, even more so when playing at home. In absence of Silva, Milan will concede and while Zlatan effect will get Milan a goal or two; Rossoneri are set to drop points today
as the game will end in a 1 – 1 draw.
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