Yes he played on the right before but he can play in all positions in the midfield.

Atalanta - Milan

Milan’s Scudetto dream may already be over, but the Rossoneri will look to bounce back from their derby defeat to Inter as they travel to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia to face an overachieving Atalanta side in another local derby.

After an unexpectedly fast start, Atalanta are in danger of being brought down to earth. However, while a dubious penalty cost Stefano Colantuono’s men dear last weekend as they fell 3-1 in Parma, the Nerazzurri are still sitting in sixth and will be buoyed by their start.

The Bergamo side haven’t looked overawed in Serie A yet but will need to show a lot of self-belief if they are to get any success against a powerful – albeit stuttering – Milan side. Colantuono will undoubtedly have made it clear that there can be no repeat of the lamentable defending on show against Parma and will hope for an improvement from his backline who have already shipped eight goals in the last three games.

Milan are a side in crisis after losing two consecutive home games for the first time since 1997-98. More importantly, a devastating 4-3 derby defeat last weekend has left the Rossoneri 14 points behind Inter and has virtually extinguished any hope of an unlikely Scudetto triumph, despite the claims of Clarence Seedorf and Ricardo Oliveira.

The pressure is mounting on Carlo Ancelotti. While the Champions League may be the priority, this is a derby that the Milan boss cannot afford to lose. These may be bleak days, but the Diavoli played superbly at times against Inter and will surely start picking up points if they can replicate that in the coming weeks.

Colantuono has few striking options as Riccardo Zampagna’s left knee injury has ruled him out. Nicola Ventola and Andrea Soncin are set to start up front. Simone Loria is suspended after a disciplinary panel decision leaving Argentine defender Leonardo Talamonti likely to get the nod as Moris Carrozzieri is still suspended for his involvement in a betting plot. Luis Centi, Kewullay Conteh, Marino Defendi and ex-Milan man Christian Vieri are all still sidelined.

Milan cannot call upon Serginho who is out for three weeks or Massimo Ambrosini who is once again struggling with a muscle strain. Giuseppe Favalli’s return is imminent, but he may just miss out. French youngster Yoann Gourcuff is available after recovering from a cracked rib but Daniele Bonera is a doubt. Alberto Gilardino may keep his place up front after finally finding the net against Inter with ex-Atalanta hero Pippo Inzaghi warming the bench.

Man on fire: Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – Colantuono may only have two strikers left for the clash against Milan, but who cares when you have a midfielder like Cristiano Doni? The ex-Brescia man has five goals in four games and is bubbling with confidence.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Atalanta (D W W D L) Milan (D D L W L)

Atalanta (probable): Calderoni; Adriano, Rivalta, Talamonti, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Bernandini, Migliaccio, Ariatti, Doni; Ventola

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Kaka; Gilardino

Football Italia

This post has been edited by mishale: Nov 3 2006, 09:25 AM

So according to this we'll be playing a 4-4-1-1. But I don't think it's right. Ambro has an injury, and I think he is out for another week or so. But we'll be basically playing with the italy WC formation, with the midfield filled with central midfielders, because we didn't have any wingers.

If this formation is right then I would go for:

Simic--Nesta--Maldini--Janku (Isn't kaladze injured btw?)
Gourcuff--Pirlo--Rino--Seedorf
----------------Kaka-------------
-------Gila-----------------------

But I wopuld prefer a 4-3-1-2 with still maybe being able to rest a couple of players

Simic--Nesta--Maldini--Janku
---Gourcuff--Rino--Seedorf--
---------------Kaka------------
---------Gila----Oliveira-------

WTF? The Xmas tree again? How many times do we have to learn a damn lesson? And to play Ambrosini again when he is clearly not fit? I hope Football Italia is just full of $hit because the line up would piss me off badly... Oli and Gila should play upfront no questions asked!!! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

If someone needs a rest, then it's definitely Kaka!!

Nesta+Kaladze+Ambrosini ?? Somebody has to tell FI they forgot to put Serginho in !! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I know, but until every player has reached top form again (pirlo, Rino, nesta, pippo) we are too reliant on him, I personally think that Seedorf can fill his position with Gourcuff coming in Seddorf's place place, but only against the small teams, maybe even against AEK but that is a bit far away. Atalanta right now are having a good spell and I have no doubt that they will be defending with all they got and cloing down in the penalty box, so kaka will be needed to split there defence up with his passes and runs, same for Oli, when he makes hios runs out wide he drags markers with him, so that Gila won't be double teamed, and neither will Kaka



(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I was thinking about that, but I though maybe Nesta had recovered becuase his shoulder injury didn't look that serious

Guys, Football Italia's line up is pure b/s. Nesta could be out for a couple of weeks, while there are doubts on Kaladze he might not be back until bloody 2007. And Ambro is having a serious muscle problem. So, my line up for sunday's match would be:

Dida; Cafu, Simic, Maldini, Favalli; Pirlo, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà; Oliveira, Inzaghi.

why not Janku ar LB ?? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I think he needs a rest, but you're probably right. We need to win this one so better put the best players we've got.

Well he played at the WC but he rarely featured all season through last year !!

Wha ?!

Nesta is out .. Kaladze is out .. Sergio is (was) out .. Ambro is out .. ALL with injuries .. GOD help us (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

That line-up would be ideal, except, isn't Favalli injured ?! And why start Pippo ahead of Gila ?

ps .. I have my fingers crossed that Kakà wouldn't get injured

What is the situation with Nesta and Kala ????????????????

there's not been any update on this issue mate ... for anyone that cares Favalli is back on training !! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

oo exciting, I hope he plays (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)