[Portman]

Serie A - Day 12

Empoli v Milan

Saturday, 18th November '06

17:00 (UK Time), 18:00 (IT Time)

The match after 3 consecutive defeats. The match for Milan get back to the victories and leave the crisis?

0-1. Enough.

Forza Milan!

This post has been edited by Portugal: Nov 12 2006, 01:10 AM

[Rossoneri7]

Source : Goal.com

Serie A Preview: Empoli-Milan

This match presents two sides who are polar opposites. Milan are one of the biggest clubs in the world, yet can’t seem to get a win. Empoli are hardly-known outside of Italy, and yet they have very good standing in their domestic table.

Milan are hurting right now. Three losses in a row have just above the relegation zone, and things do not look to be getting better. Major injuries to key players have hit the side for the second year running. Midfield-workhorse Gennaro Gattuso is out for the rest of the year with a knee problem, and the defense has also been hit hard. Stalwarts such as Kakhaber Kaladze and Serginho have been missing in action for some time, while Alessandro Nesta is still feeling the effects of a shoulder injury. Reliable-reserves Massimo Ambrosini and Giuseppe Favalli are also unavailable for Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti, who spoke about the troubles his side is experiencing at the moment.

Ancelotti said, “We hope to play a good game tomorrow. We must pay more attention in defence. We must try to concede less to our opponents and we must try to stay more covered and be more prudent. Empoli are a young team and are amongst the most dynamic in the league. The system used against Roma could give good results but it won’t be the same as Empoli’s because with Roma we must occupy the field in a different manner.”

He then spoke about his side’s injuries, saying, “The difficulties that we have had are tied to preparation. At the beginning we were able to rotate the players, then the injuries prevented us from continuing. Playing some of the players so often has lowered their condition. (Alessandro) Nesta has the same problem with his shoulder. For now he must stop and focus on rest and recovery. He can’t play and I hope that he is able to recover for Athens. Nesta definitely isn’t in top shape but his performance has always been good. (Kakhaber) Kaladze and (Massimo) Ambrosini are closer to recovering, perhaps they will even be back in time for Athens (in reference to the Champions League game coming up against AEK Athens).”

CURRENT FORM

Empoli (D D W, 15 points, 8th place in Serie A)

The Azzurri have played well above expectations this term. After losing their leading-scorer from last season (Francesco Tavano, who transferred to Valencia of Spain during the summer), they were clearly going to find goals hard to come by. This has not really been the case, however. The goals have been spread around among the squad, with Luca Saudati leading all scorers on three tallies so far.

Empoli have also not lost in five matches, with most of those being draws. Nevertheless, the hard-earned points have put them in the top-half of the table, and they are even within a single point of the final Champions League spot—certainly something they would not have thought would be possible this season.

Milan (L L L, 7 points, 16th place in Serie A)

The Rossoneri are definitely in a ditch of despair right now, and they don’t seem to be on the way toward climbing out. With three-straight losses, and four in the last five matches, it appears as though everyone is in agreement that changes must occur.

The first of these would be the manager, Carlo Ancelotti. Many people believe he has erred in not bringing enough youth into his squad, and there could be some truth to this. The defense is led by thirty-eight year old Paolo Maldini, with a few other key members of the defense also over thirty.

The second problem may be the tactics used, especially regarding what Ancelotti has at his disposal. Up front, Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino are too similar to be fielded together, as they usually end up getting in each others way. Not only that, but a sufficient replacement for the departed Andriy Shevchenko was not found. They thought Ricardo Oliveira would be that player they needed, but he has not settled in the Milan squad._ Whatever the true reason/s, Milan needs to get back to winning if they have any hopes of cutting the deficit at the top.

TEAM NEWS

Empoli have two major injury concerns, with Sergio Almiron and Francesco Pratali both unavailable to play.

Milan, as mentioned above, will be without many key members of the squad, and will rely heavily on their reserves for this encounter.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lino Marzoratti (Empoli) – This young defender is on-loan from Milan, and will look to shut-down the Milan attack in order to impress those who make the decisions at Milan.

Kakà (Milan) – He has been the only consistent performer for Milan this season. After captaining the Brazil squad in their midweek victory over Switzerland, he will again lead by example in this fixture.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Empoli (4-2-3-1): Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Vanigli, Lucchini; Marianni, Moro; Busce, Vannucchi Matteini; Saudati

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kakà; Oliveira, Gilardino

PREDICTION

Following the win they picked up last weekend, Empoli will attempt to continue their good form. Milan are a side in crisis, despite their statements to the contrary, and they will fall even further into the deep end with a bad performance in this match.

Expect to see renewed vigor from Milan, with Empoli sustaining large portions of defense.

Empoli 0-1 Milan