Serie A Preview: AC Milan – Juventus FC (Part 2)
Team News
AC Milan
Skipper Massimo Ambrosini, Thiago Silva and Onyewu were not available for this match because of their injuries and the latest reports indicate Massimo Oddo, Gianluca Zambrotta and Ronaldinho have joined them on the sidelines. Luca
Antonini was taken off injured against Napoli but has been called up indicating that he has recovered from the knock. Christian Abbiati will keep the gloves ahead of Marco Amelia in goal.
Expected Formation
Allegri will field his troops in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Pato and Ibra will lead the line with Robinho playing just behind them. Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo will look to dominate the midfield. Nesta and Papastathopoulos
will line up in the defence. Luca Antonini will take his usual left back position while Daniele Bonera will deputise for Zambrotta on the right.
Probable Line up
Christian Abbiati, Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Luca Antonini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Alexandre Pato, Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Juventus FC
Juventus’ chances in this match will be severely hampered by the absence of Milos Krasic. The Serbian winger has been justly banned for two Serie A matches following his blatant dive against Bologna to win a penalty. Gianluigi Buffon,
Armand Traore and Vicenzo Iaquinta are also unavailable for this match due to various injury concerns.
Expected formation
Luigi Del Neri will field a 4-4-2 formation despite the absence of Krasic. Alessandro Del Piero and Quagliarella are expected to lead the line for Bianconeri. Jorge Martinez will play on the right flank while Claudio Marchisio will
line up on the left. Alberto Aquilani has shown inspired form of late thus he will partner Felipe Melo in the heart of the midfield. Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will play in the heart of the defence with Marco Motta and Paolo De Caglie starting
in the full back positions. Marco Storari will deputise for Buffon in goal.
Probable Line up
Marco Storari, Marco Motta, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Paolo De Caglie, Jorge Andres Martinez, Felipe Melo, Alberto Aquilani, Caludio Marchisio, Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Quagliarella
Key Players
Alexandre Pato
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic likely to be shackled by the towering Chiellini, the attacking responsibilities will be transferred to the tender yet world class shoulder of Pato. ‘The Duck’ had a disappointing against Napoli and he would
now want to make up for a poor performance by scoring a few past Storari in Juve goal.
Alessandro Del Piero
The legendary Bianconeri playmaker forward is nearing the end of a truly illustrious career but he still remains a class act. In Krasic’s absence, Del Piero will have to be the main source of inspiration. The visit to San Siro might
be Del Piero’s last in a Juventus jersey and the veteran is confident he will make his presence decisive.
Prediction
A match of such proportion is always a hard one to call. However, AC Milan should make their home advantage tell by the end of 90 minutes. Juve, even without Krasic are a force to reckon with and would not be pushovers. Thre prediction
will be Rossoneri edging out the encounter with a 2 – 1 victory.
Tags: