[Portman]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 28

Inter v Milan

Sunday, 11th of March 2007

Time: 14:00 (UK), 15:00 (IT)

OK guys. The derby is back. The match after the Celtic and Valencia important matches in the CL for the Milano teams.

Maicon, Cambiasso, Vieira and Mancini are out (the last one won't be on the bench).
We're 3 points away from the CL spots so we must win this one.

Forza Milan!

This post has been edited by Portugal: Mar 5 2007, 04:28 PM

[han2503]

Ancelotti trusts in Ron Basten

Carlo Ancelotti has compared Ronaldo to the legendary Marco Van Basten, assuring he’ll do what’s needed against Inter.

“Ronaldo has the quality to say to me what Van Basten did when he saw I was tense before a game. He told me not to worry, just give him the ball and then run to embrace him when he scores,” smiled the former Milan midfielder.

“We don’t need to know if he is at 50, 60 or 70 per cent fitness. We do know that when Ronaldo is called upon, he is very dangerous. All we have to do is give him the right kind of service.”

All eyes will be on Il Fenomeno on Sunday afternoon, as he faces his former squad for the first time. The Ultras have already prepared 30,000 whistles to heckle him every time he touches the ball.

“I couldn’t say what would happen if he scored, but he has the quality to net against any side. The Inter fans can manifest their feelings towards him any way they see fit, but that won’t affect Ronaldo. He has too much experience for that.”

Adriano is out of action for Inter, so the danger man will definitely be considered Zlatan Ibrahimovic, their current top scorer on 12 Serie A goals.

“If I could take one player off them, it’d be Ibrahimovic. In the past he was aesthetically wonderful, but not all that effective. Now he is the one making the difference for Inter in the League. He has developed finishing skills and at the moment he is their most decisive player.”

With Pippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino off form and Inter’s notorious midfield strength, it is possible Ancelotti will stick with the 4-4-1-1 system seen against Celtic.

“Milan will play with two strikers,” insisted Ancelotti, although he has often referred to Kaka in the past as a forward.

Both sides had a fiery midweek Champions League experience, Inter crashing out amid violent clashes in Valencia and Milan taken to extra time to eliminate Celtic.

“This is a game that does not change with external factors. The derby is in and of itself, open to any result. The favourites don’t always win and I don’t believe there will be any extra tension from what happened this week.”

There will, however, be the desire for revenge after the incredible 4-3 defeat earlier this season.

“That result was a launch pad for Inter, who gained courage and confidence from the win. For us it was the start of a difficult moment that we have now left behind. I think our performance will be completely different, as we have moved on.

“The Nerazzurri will want to win this game because they are deservedly getting closer to the Scudetto. Our situation is more complicated, as we are challenging with many other sides for fourth place.”