[mishie]

A trip to Palermo this weekend and with them having no wins in the last 3 games a ideal opportunity to take all 3 points

[Fillipo Simone]

29/11/2008 18:53
Ballardini Thinks Milan Will Win Scudetto

Palermo coach Davide Ballardini talked about tomorrow night's game against Milan, whom he considers to be the favorites for this season's Serie A title...

Palermo have won just one of their last seven games, which might not be the best kind of situation any team would want to be in when preparing to face the Milan side of Ronaldinho, Kaká, Pippo Inzaghi, and Andriy Shevchenko. However, coach Davide Ballardini hopes his team take this opportunity to turn over a new leaf in their topsy-turvy season.

"If we manage to repeat the first half of the match against Inter we would be on the right track, that is the attitude we need to have," he said. "When you are playing against a team full of skilful players, it's important to stay close together and deny them space."

Although Kaká will be missing for this particular match, Ronaldinho will be available and the Brazilian Ballon D'Or winner will certainly be the biggest threat for the Rosanero. However, Ballardini denied he is preparing to give him any special treatment.

"We won't do anything different to stop one of their players, Milan have many resources," he continued. "If Palermo play to their best it can have a chance against teams like this. We will need to avoid making fouls on the edge of the area, we know they are very dangerous from there. Aside from Ronaldinho, there's [Clarence] Seedorf, [Andrea] Pirlo, and [Marek] Jankulovski."

Palermo will once again be able to count on the support of a boisterous home crowd as the stadium will be packed on Sunday evening.

"The fact that the stadium will be full is very positive, it will help us to give everything we've got," the coach commented. "It's also an extra responsibility to play in front of a packed stadium. However, Milan's away form, which isn't as good as their home form, doesn't make it easier for us. They will do everything to invert this trend.

"I think Milan are going to win the Scudetto, compared to Inter and Juventus they are not in the Champions League, and they are a team that was built to win the title."

Currently Milan sit three points below leaders Inter, after recently dropping points away to Lecce and Torino, while Palermo are in 11th place.

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com