Serie A Preview: AC Milan – Juventus FC (Part 1)
Rossoneri aiming to go top
Despite starting the Serie A season in a less than spectacular fashion, Rossoneri find themselves second in the league standings. AC Milan is on a good run of form with four victories on the trot. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are now
just two points off the summit. With Pato nearing full fitness and Robinho finding his feet at the San Siro, AC Milan is looking increasingly threatening upfront and a victory will take them atop the rankings at least for a day.
The Juventus – Milan matches are more than just three points, a victory over fellow Scudetto challengers will act as a huge confident boost and catalyse the challenger for the top spot. However, Allegri will have the visit of Real
Madrid firmly on the back of his mind. The UEFA Champions League fixture will be of critical importance to Milan as a defeat will seriously dent Rossoneri ambitions for a round of 16 berth.
The former Italian and European champions were given a run for their money by a 10 men Napoli at Stadio Sao Paolo. Rossoneri were not bad in that fixture by any stretch of imagination but Allegri will definitely be expecting an improvement.
Milan have made a habit of letting go of their goal advantages in the past and against a tricky Juve outfit, Nesta and co will have to be on their toes throughout the match.
Bianconeri still in transition
Luigi Del Neri has done well with Juventus so far. Bianconeri stand 5th in the league with 12 points from eight matches – just a single point off fourth placed Chievo Verona. The biggest issue bothering Del Neri has to
be the inconsistency Juventus shows on the pitch. Lack of natural goal scorers upfront is visibly affecting the play.
Milos Krasic, undoubted player of the season so far for Juventus, will be unavailable in this match. Krasic took an embarrassing dive in the box last week against Bologna that resulted in a penalty. Italian football authorities have
penalised the player by banning him for two matches. His services are vital to Bianconeri ambition and Juventus will be hard-pressed performing in his absence.
On a positive note however, Juventus remain unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions. The Juventus project under Del Neri is still ‘Work-in-Progress’ and showing signs of improvement. Juventus only problem is their inability
to spread their goals across the fixtures. Bianconeri are a ‘hit or miss’ phenomenon at the moment and Del Neri would hope the Juve that take to the pitch tonight are a hit.
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