Italian Serie A preview: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cagliari-Calcio-c38716 Vs. AC Milan
Mid-table security for Rossoblu
Cagliari were expected to struggle for survival when the season started, and they have done little to dispel such notions. In the first 12 games of the season, Isolani were only able to muster two victories. Pierpaolo Bisoli was duly given the sack, and
Roberto Donadoni was given the coaching reins.
The Former Azzurri tactician has done well with the team, and as things stand, Rossoblu are 13th in the table with 20 points. There isn’t much space to breathe though, as Donadoni’s side is just five points above the relegation zone.
Cagliari have a respectable home record. In eight home games, Isolani have registered four victories, while tasting defeat on three other occasions. However, Donadoni’s calibre will be severely tested when Milan visit them at Stadio Sant'Elia.
Donadoni said ahead of the game, "We expect a difficult match against the league leaders; even without Ibrahimovic they are very strong. We have to take to the field in the right frame of mind, with determination and concentration. It will be the start of
a mini-series of matches to test our resolve."
Cagliari return for Allegri
The game will mark the return to a former hunting ground for Massimiliano Allegri. The Rossoneri manager was with the Red-and-Blue club for two years, and indeed that is where he made his name.
AC Milan are title favourites, owing much to Galliani’s inspired transfer work. As things stand, Davioli are league leaders having accumulated 36 points from 17 games; three clear of second placed SSC http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003.
The Rossoneri have acquired the services of the mercurial http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Cassano-c6302. ‘Il Talentino de Bari’ is arguably the best Italian player of his generation, and Milan are clear title favourites following his acquisition.
Team News
Cagliari Calcio
Rossoblu are without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikhail-Sivakov-c25728, as the two are out injured. Donadoni will deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation that will see Nene and Matri lead the lines.
AC Milan
Massimiliano Allegri will have to do without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 will have
to sit out the match due to suspension.
Key Players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Matri-c4733
The former Milan youngster has finally come of age this season, scoring eight league goals in the process. At one point, Matri was even being linked with a San Siro return. Even though such a transfer is out of the question, since Cassano’s arrival has completed
the Rossoneri forward line up, Matri’s quality remains undoubted. The forward must score if Cagliari are to take any points off Milan.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Pato-c4901
‘The Duck’, when fit, is one of the best youngsters on the planet. Pace, power, finishing and a deadly shot; Pato is every defender’s nightmare. In the absence of Ibrahimovic, Pato must find his scoring shoes upon his return from injury.
Prediction
Milan might be missing a host of key players, but their momentum should carry them through. Despite losing the last game of 2010, the Rossoneri are on a positive run. Allegri still has a quality squad, and Milan will register a 2 – 0 victory at Stadio Sant'Elia.
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