[han2503]

Atalanta - Milan

Serie A - Week 10 - 2006/2007

Sunday 5th of November 2006

Time: 3:00 (Italian time) 2:00 (UK time)

[misha]

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