Serie A Preview: AC Milan – Chievo Verona (Part 1)
Rossoneri looking to go top
Milan sits fourth in the league with 11 points after six rounds of football. Due to the highly competitive nature of Serie A, the club is on level points with second placed Inter and third ranked Napoli. Tomorrow’s match against Chievo Verona would be an
ideal opportunity for Milan to go clear of the chasing pack for the first time in the season.
The tie might look an easy one but the trip to Santiago Bernabeu for the UEFA Champions League fixture on Wednesday will be firmly on Massimiliano Allegri’s mind. It would be interesting to see how the manager handles his squad ahead of the fixture against
the flying donkeys.
Milan has had a mixed start to the Serie A season and even had some poor results when playing against weak oppositions. The club finds itself so close to the top only because of the slip-ups that other Scudetto contenders have had.
Chievo flying high
Chievo Verona’s fifth place in the table comes as much a surprise to neutrals as to the club itself. The club has made a dream start to the season and their early season form has seen them earn10 points from 6 games. The club is just one point behind AC Milan
and three points of the top. A surprise victory over the Scudetto hopefuls will make Chievo the surprise league leaders at least for a day.
Rossoneri are a strong side at home and Chievo will find it hard scoring past the home defence. However, Chievo has won both their away fixtures in the league so far. There is certainly room for hope.
For all their exploits so far, Chievo’s ultimate objective will be the 40 points psychological barrier that will see them avoid relegation come the end of season. A point at San Siro will be a huge feat for the flying donkeys.
Team News
AC Milan
Skipper Massimo Ambrosini is still on the treatment table and won’t be in the line-up. The club’s first choice goalkeeper Cristian Abbiati and left wing back Luca Antonini’s appearance is also in jeopardy following their training ground injuries. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
is suffering from stomach cramps but the striker just might make an appearance. His situation will be monitored closely and his inclusion will depend on a last minute fitness test. Allegri will definitely have the trip to Spain on his mind when deciding on
the striker’s inclusion. Ibrahimovic might not start against Chievo should he fail to get his fitness in time. "The Champions League is more important and I want to be 100% for the game against Real Madrid. I will talk to the medical team and will do what
is best for me.''
Expected Formation
With a mercurial Pato back in the line up, Allegri will be happy taking up the 4-3-3 formation he has stuck to for much of the season. AC Milan found it very hard replacing Pato’s wizardry on the right wing and his return from injury will be more than welcome.
With Antonini out, Zambrotta will switch flanks and play as the left back. Ignazio Abate will be given another chance to impress on the right back position following his less than impressive performances of late. Kevin-Prince Boateng is likely to replace the
ageing legs of Gennaro Gattuso in the midfield. Genoa ‘loanee’ Marco Amelia will look to impress in the goal in absence of Abbiati.
Probable Line-up
Marco Amelia, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, Ignazio Abate, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic.
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