Playing at the Barbera isnt easy .. In fact its the most difficult stadium in Italy (its Sicilian (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) .. But after what happened there, I dont believe Palermo r 100% focused, plus with us coming on the field with 8 of our players out (injured/flue), they wont be playing at their max potential.

BTW .. is their stadium open to the public ?? That would be a factor to consider.

Overall, we will win, maybe shaky in defense, but if Kaka and Pirlo play to their standards, I believe they will move the team tomorrow.

Always be optimistic han (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) But like Ambrosini (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

He played bad his last game as a RB. So what? He had there good games also (Maybe not many. He is Simic after all (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) But at least he know how to play there

Ok well if he does play there and is horrible once again then we will have you to blame for trusting in him (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Like that'll make a difference. If Misha can forgive Sheva, there's not a darn thing Simic could do, that would make misha hate him.

Serie A Preview: Palermo-Milan

This match is going to be a battle between two sides fighting each other for a top three finish.


When: Wednesday February 28, 15:00 (CET)

Where: Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo, Italy


BACKGROUND

Palermo are currently third place in the Italian Serie A table. They can further increase their numerical advantage over direct challenger Milan with a win in this fixture. It will not be easy, however. The Rosanero have just two wins in the New Year, and they struggled mightily in their 1-1 draw at the weekend against Atalanta.

Their form in 2007 has been especially unimpressive at home. Two losses out of their last three home matches have put them back in the fight for maintaining their position, rather than challenging Roma for second place.

Milan are now eights points back from Palermo, and just one behind Lazio for fourth place. The prospect of basically getting a six-point swing with a win in this match is very tantalizing. Nevertheless, it will be a very difficult encounter for a number of reasons.

First of all, is the injury situation. For most of the season, Milan have fielded a less than full strength side, and that will be the case again. Alessandro Nesta just this week returned to Europe after having spent an extended amount of time in Miami rehabbing. Serginho also remains out, and he is joined by Kakhaber Kaladze, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Cafu in the stands.

The second reason this match will provide a tough test is that Palermo’s attack, despite the long term loss of Amauri to injury, boasts several players with a good goal scoring acumen. Two players who have scored seven goals this season, David Di Michele and Eugenio Corini, return to the lineup after being suspended for the weekend match, and they will most certainly be rested and ready to prevent a further climb by Milan in the table.

CURRENT FORM

Palermo (L D D, 44 points, 3rd place in Serie A)

As previously mentioned, Palermo continue to struggle to attain positive results, and they were quite fortunate to get a point from the match away to Atalanta on Saturday. Four losses from thirteen home fixtures is not a very good return for a side with aspirations of Champions League football, and they must be in top form for this match.

Milan (W W W, 36 points, 5th place in Serie A)

The initial aim at the start of the season was to simply get into fourth place in order to give themselves a realistic chance at playing in the Champions League next season, but that goal is now firmly within reach, and they can go even higher. A terrific run which has seen them win seven of their last eight and without a loss since November gives them great hope of taking away at least a point from this match.

TEAM NEWS

Palermo get back the services of David Di Michele and Eugenio Corini after they were suspended on Saturday, but Mattia Cassani heads in the opposite direction for the same reason. Defensive lynchpin Andrea Barzagli is very doubtful to be fit.

Milan are missing a lot in defense, with Nesta, Serginho, Kaladze, Cafu, Costacurta and Maldini all injured, while Massimo Oddo is suspended for his professional foul and subsequent red card on Sunday. Also, Ronaldo may be rested in this match.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

David Di Michele (Palermo) – With the absence of Amauri, he is the main cog in the attack, and will need to play well in order to stop the poor run of form.

Gennaro Gattuso (Milan) – With all of the missing players in defense, his ability to stop opposing attacks in midfield will be paramount to the Milan cause.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Palermo (3-4-3): Agliardi; Diana, Zaccardo, Biava; Pisano, Guana, Corini, Simplicio; Bresciano, Di Michele, Caracciolo

Milan (4-4-1-1): Dida; Brocchi, Bonera, Simic, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Kakà; Gilardino

PREDICTION

Palermo will have several golden scoring chances, due to the defensive grouping for Milan. However, Milan will also find themselves on the doorstep in certain moments with the absence of Barzagli in the Palermo backline. A draw will suffice for both teams, considering the circumstances.

Palermo 1-1 Milan

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
To gamble on Simic is never a good idea (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Defence will be supported by pirlo + gattuso (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Attack supported by kaka (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

I believe the lack of defenders is due to a rotation system as 4 games in 1.5 weeks is too much for some players. I'm sure there will be a few players resting against chievo!
Carlo, please let Gourcuff play (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

FORZA MILAN!!!!

Our best bet:

--------------Dida-------------
Brocchi Bonera Simic Favalli
--------------Pirlo-------------
----Gattuso-----Ambrosini---
---------------Seedorf--------
---------Kaka-----------------
------------Oliveira-----------

This post has been edited by pKillerMax: Feb 27 2007, 07:32 PM

He has only recovered from illness. He is far from 100%.

Well there is no other solution to the problem in defence since we've been having problems from the start of the season.

Paolo was rested ahead of Celtic so he wouldn't have to play 3 games in 1 week, that's the reason for the leaky defence against Siena, but he's still suffering with his knees, Nesta has been having problem for the entire season, Kaladze also. Oddo is suspended, Billy is old and unreliable when it comes to his fitness, Simic is just plain unreliable, the only guy that has been consistant is Bonera, and thank god that he has turned out the way he has because if that wheren't the case we wouldn't even have had a defence this season.

If you look at our defensive record this season it's far better then the one we had last season even if the defence has been changed in practically every match, and with all the injuries suffered.

True. Bonera has been saving other defenders' @sses, especially simic (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Just hope that Pirlo has the ambition. We gotta keep the faith! (from 'Keep the faith' by Bon Jovi - good song (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )

FORZA MILAN!!!

The only way I see this team going on the field is like this :

Broochi - Simic - Bonera - Favalli

---------Guttuso - Ambrosini (Carlo tried him out last time in Pirlo's place, did good)

-------------- Pirlo (too far up the pitch but I have a feeling this is where he'll play)

----------Kaka - Seedorf

---------Gilardino

With that defense you wanna play with 2 strikers? Hell no. We need at least 3 DMs to cover up the spaces, cause having Brocchi and Favalli on the flanks doesn't certainly fill me of joy. I wouldn't either put Seedorf and Oliveira cause their latest appearances haven't been that impressive. My starting line up:

Dida
Brocchi Simic Bonera Favalli
Gattuso Ambrosini Pirlo Gourcuff
Kakà
Gilardino

I predict a draw.

What's wrong with Grimi?

Is he that bad he won't get a single minute this year.

Why did we even buy this guy if he's not going to play when almost all the defenders are injured or suspended.

Because we need Favalli's Serie A and overall experience in this one.

This post has been edited by pKillerMax: Feb 27 2007, 10:29 PM