C4 preview

Serie A Week 5 - 26/9/07 (19.30 UK) 

Stadio Barbera

Milan will want to get their Scudetto bid back on track as they face Palermo at the traditionally hostile Stadio Renzo Barbera in Week 5. On Saturday the Rossoneri were stopped in their own home by Parma and the Sicilians will be hoping to cause them even more problems.

The European champions have always struggled to run out of the Barbera with all three points and have won only one of their last three games played in Sicily. It ended 0-0 last term.

Milan have had a poor start to the season after collecting only six points in four games. On the other hand, Palermo are in good shape, but need to raise their level even further if they want to live up to their European ambition.

On Wednesday night, Carlo Ancelotti may decide to line up his best XI after resting several key men against Parma. Former Crociati defender Daniele Bonera will be replaced by Kakha Kaladze. Cristian Brocchi will return to the bench, with Gennaro Gattuso back in the midfield.

Ancelotti will also have to decide whether to play Alberto Gilardino or Filippo Inzaghi up front as Ronaldo is still out injured. Both strikers are not at their best. Gila hasn’t yet found the net this season, while Inzaghi has been impressing only in the Champions League.

Palermo boss Stefano Colantuono is preparing his men for one of the most important clashes of the season. The former Atalanta Coach was satisfied with Sunday’s victory over Cagliari, although Palermo didn’t impress.

Sant’Elia match winner Cristian Zaccardo should be used on the left as Marco Pisano and Ciro Capuano are injured. Mark Bresciano looks set to take the right-wing role, while Fabio Caserta should be preferred to Bosko Jankovic on the opposite flank. The attacking duo will be formed by Fabrizio Miccoli and Amauri, with Edison Cavani eagerly awaiting his moment on the bench.

Keep an eye on: Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo) – The Rossoneri are one of Miccoli’s favourite rivals as he regularly finds the net against them. This will be another occasion to throw water over the Devil…

Last season: Palermo 0-0 Milan

Form guide: Palermo (- L W D W) Milan (- W D D D)

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Palermo (probable): Fontana; Diana, Rinaudo, Barzagli, Zaccardo; Bresciano, Migliaccio, Simplicio, Caserta; Amauri, Miccoli

Milan (probable): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf; F Inzaghi

Fontana Praises Prestigious Milan

Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Fontana has offered a glowing tribute of Palermo’s next opponents Milan and disagrees with those who believe that Milan only concentrate on the Champions League.

The European champions travel to Sicily on Wednesday evening having drawn three consecutive games in Serie A. Carlo Ancelotti has a history of resting and rotating first-team players before European ties and this has led to accusations that the Rossoneri are not interested in trying to win the Scudetto. 

Before Milan’s recent 2-1 Champions League victory over Benfica, Ancelotti rested Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Oddo and Filippo Inzaghi in the preceding league match against Siena. However Fontana does not go along with this theory. 

"I disagree that they are not interested in the league,” said Fontana. “We will be playing against a strong and prestigious team. They will come to the Stadio Barbera to win, and they more than have the potential to do so.” 

The 40-year-old Fontana is now in his 20th year as a professional. The shot-stopper began his career at hometown club Cesena in 1987 and made over 100 appearances before moving on to the likes of Bari, Atalanta, Napoli, Inter and Chievo. In 2006 he moved to the Stadio Renzo Barbera. 

Carletto orders three points

Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti has issued a rallying cry to his faltering Rossoneri side ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Palermo. “Time to get back to winning.”

The European champions shone in the first game of their Champions League defence against Benfica, but have looked far less convincing in the League.

While Week 2’s draw with Fiorentina was seen as acceptable, sharing the points with Siena and Parma has caused murmerings of discontent at the San Siro.

A Wednedsay evening clash at Palermo’s Stadio Renzo Barbera certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted, but Ancelotti thinks that will play in his side’s favour.

“This is a great chance to start winning again,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It will be a tough game, but we want to climb the table.

“There are no fatigue problems, we are raring to get started. You will see a very different Milan side as the players are aware of where they need to make improvements.

With Ronaldo injured and Alberto Giardino struggling for form and fitness, the goal scoring burden may fall to Pippo Inzaghi.

“I don’t care who scores the goals whether it’s strikers or defenders as long as we find the net. In my opinion, our problems aren’t up front. We need to control the game better and create more chances.

“Alberto should relax because the goals will come whereas Inzaghi starts prolifically and then eases off.

"Gila deserves our faith as he was our top scorer last season.”

Inzaghi is set to start as a lone striker against Palermo with Gilardino starting on the bench.

I'd go with:

-----------------Dida-------------------------
--Oddo----Nesta--Bonera----Jankulovski--
-----------------Pirlo--------------------------
-----Gattuso------------Gourcuff------------
----------------Seedorf-----------------------
------------------------Kaka------------------
---------------Pippo---------------------------

There could be some great link up between Seedorf, Gourcuff and Kaka. But I wouldn't mind going with Carletto's formation since this is a pretty difficult away game and Ambro can prove decisive.

I'm indifferent about this. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) These days, Dida is as reliable as the next guy... Sure... Let Kalac be the next guy, same difference.

I wuld much rather have Fiori play instead of Kalac. Much more reliable and steady, I would even say that he's steadier than Dida these days  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Milan keeper Dida could skip the game with Palermo. He's hurt his shoulder - not the one already operated on - and  the Milan medical staff has been busy. If Dida doesn't play, Kalac will be in goal for Milan.]