Serie A – Match Preview: A.C Milan versus Catania
After a summer of transfer activity which has seen Ibrahimovic, Boateng and Robinho arrive at the Milanese giants, Milan are set to face Catania in what is scheduled to be their third Serie A league match of the season.
In their first match of the season against Lecce, Milan ended up as winners by a margin of four goals. It was convincing for the Rossoneri who have been touted as the main contenders for Inter Milan’s Serie throne this season.
Everything looks bright for A.C Milan at the moment, the club’s fans were out in heavy voice in the summer as their team was looking on the verge of a historical decline but club’s president released some precious transfer funds and now Milan do actually look
like world beaters.
Under their new manager, Massimo Allegri, Milan lost their second match of the season which was against Cesena. The defeat saw the debut of Milan’s two summer signings, Ibrahimovic and Robinho. The former Barcelona man, Zlatan
Ibrahimovic missed a penalty to add to his new club’s despair but since then he has paid back some of his investments in A.C’s midweek match in the UEFA Champions League.
Ibrahimovic and Milan were out in full force against French minnows Auxerre. The French club side was foolish enough to attack the Italian champions during the match that took place at San Siro; the result was an utter annihilation
as Milan won their opening group stage encounter by a score line of two goals to nil. Zlatan was on mark for Milan as he scored both of Milan’s goals in their mid-week encounter. Now it’s back to domestic duties for the former European Cup winners as they
host Catania at San Siro. Traditionally, the Rossoneri have been strong when it comes to games that take place at their own fortress and thus they are expected to win this one as well.
Robinho made his move to Milan after falling out of favour at Manchester City, supplementing the arrival of Ibrahimovic. Both these player are expected to lead Milan’s charge for their first Serie A title in the past 4 years. Despite
being consistently outstanding in the UEFA Champions League over the past decade, A.C Milan have failed to reproduce their European form in their domestic league.
Ibrahimovic, who scored against Auxerre in mid-week spoke to the press after the Champions League game and said that he was under a lot of pressure for Milan’s match against Cesena. He added that he was happy after scoring two
goals against Auxerre, the Swedish striker also went onto say that he believes that he can do very well with A.C Milan.
Where Milan have been drowning themselves in their riches, Catania have been struggling. After just escaping the threat of relegation in last year’s Serie A season, Italian football’s minnows lost their first match of the season
against Chievo by a score line of two goals to one. However in their second Serie A match against Parma, Catania played quite well as they were supported by their home ground, eventually they won the match by the margin of a solitary goal.
Last season, Milan won both of their fixtures against Catania. Both the ties, home and away, finished with the score line of two goals without reply. Memories of last season’s defeats will be fresh in Catania’s mind as they visit
San Siro. Nonetheless, Rossazzurri as Catania are more affectionately known in Italy will have their work cut out as Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic and Robinho are all set to start for the former Italian champions.
Catania can take some comfort in the fact that Pato is set to miss for Milan, the young Brazilian striker is out with injury. Flamini and Ambrosini are also set to be absent for Milan after both of them were ruled out with injury
concerns.
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