[Portman]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 25

Milan v Sampdoria

Sunday, 25th of February 2007

Time: 19:30 (UK), 20:30 (IT)

After Glasgow, there's Samp next Sunday night. Flacchi, their best player is suspended for doping (cocaine).

Predictions? I'll go for 2-0.

Forza Milan!

[arivanjj]

Serie A Preview: Milan-Sampdoria

BACKGROUND

Things just continue to get worse and worse for Italian football—the Calciopoli scandal, the horrifying violence in Catania which resulted in the death of a police officer, and now the suspension of Sampdoria striker Francesco Flachi after he tested positive for cocaine. This is just the latest in a long line of doping and drug scandals in Italy, but is nonetheless cause for concern.

He has long been a player admired by supporters of clubs around Italy. His work rate is good, and he displays quality skill against even the loftiest of opponents. Now, however, his skill set will not be what is critiqued, but the choices he makes in his personal life.

The Italian Serie A has been the standard bearer, unfortunately so, in recent seasons for what is wrong with football in general. Mass tossing of flares onto the pitch has become a problem of late, but other issues have for quite some time stained one of the top leagues in all of Europe. The club-wide doping scandal of Juventus in the 1990’s comes to mind, and individual suspensions of big-name players such as Fernando Couto (who was Lazio captain at the time) also dishearten those who enjoy calcio. Not to be forgotten, or course, is the case of Milan striker Marco Borriello, who has also been suspended for banned substances.

This is something which must be dealt with by the ruling bodies, as it continues to hurt the Italian game.

CURRENT FORM

Milan (W W W, 33 points, 6th place in Serie A) The Rossoneri are playing better right now than they have all season. Without having lost since November, they are beginning to show the form which was expected of them this term.

Sampdoria (L W W, 30 points, 9th place in Serie A)

‘Doria are also playing well at the moment, but will be hurt by the loss of Francesco Flachi for an as yet undetermined amount of time. They are only three points shy of a spot for the UEFA Cup next season, and that must remain their goal toward the end of the season.

TEAM NEWS

Milan again have numerous players out of the lineup, but not all through injury as is usually the case. Following the scoreless draw in Champions League play on Tuesday against Celtic in Glasgow, Scotland, there was a bit of a power shortage, which cut off the hot water supply to the locker rooms. As a result, four of Milan’s first-team players are suffering from flu-like symptoms. They are Yoann Gourcuff, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, and Gennaro Gattuso. All four of these players are midfielders, and this is a huge hit to Milan. As far as injuries go, Serginho and Alessandro Nesta remain out, with Cristian Brocchi suspended. Filippo Inzaghi and Clarence Seedorf appear to have recovered for this encounter.

Sampdoria are also facing the prospect of fielding a less than full strength team. Emiliano Bonazzoli is not quite fit, while Ruben Olivera, Christian Terlizzi, Gianluca Berti, Gennaro Delvecchio, and Davide Franceschini are out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ronaldo (Milan) – After his brace last weekend against Siena, he will be expected to keep banging in the goals. The trio of Ronaldo, Oliveira and Kakà is beginning to really look like something special.

Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria) – He is the club’s leading scorer this season, and was even a rumored transfer target for Milan during January. He will partner well up front with Fabio Bazzani, and they will give the Milan defense a stern test.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2): Storari; Oddo, Bonera, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Oliveira, Ronaldo

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Castellazzi; Zenoni, Falcone, Accardi, Bastrini; Maggio, Volpi, Palombo, Zeigler; Quagliarella, Bazzani

PREDICTION

Milan will struggle with the sickness of their midfield players, and as a result, the attacking onus will be left up to Kakà. He should be up to the task, but Sampdoria have some weapons of their own.

Milan 2-1 Sampdoria


goal.com