[han2503]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 32

Messina - Milan

Sunday 15th of April 2007

Time: 15:00 (Italian Time) 14:00 (UK Time)

[arivanjj]

Messina - Milan -- Football Italia preview

Milan visit the Stadio San Filippo knowing that they must take all three points if they are to keep up in the race for Champions League football, but will have to negotiate a Messina side desperately battling to escape the drop.

The alarm bells are ringing in Messina. The Peloritani haven’t scored in three games and have slipped to second bottom with confidence at a low. The return of Bruno Giordano didn’t have the desired effect last weekend as the Giallorossi fell to a 1-0 defeat against high-flying Lazio – the Roman tactician has a lot to do and so little time to do it.

If the Sicilians are to fight their way out of trouble they will need to continue their solid home form. While they are winless on the road, Giordano’s side have triumphed five times on home soil and could possibly spring a surprise. Desperation can inspire struggling sides and the Messina fans will be praying their side find an extra gear or they will need another courtroom drama to remain a Serie A outfit.

Milan also know that one performance could be the difference between a successful campaign and bitter disappointment. Despite the eight-point Calciopoli handicap the Rossoneri could sneak into the Champions League spots and boosted their chances of doing so last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Empoli.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side leapfrogged the Tuscan minnows to move into fifth and are now just one point shy of the stuttering Palermo and the Holy Grail that is fourth place. With so little time remaining Milan must secure maximum points and hope that city rivals Inter can do them a favour and beat Palermo. If they do so Ancelotti’s men will suddenly be in the box seat.

Paolo Maldini was the unexpected goal hero when Milan squeezed past Messina at the San Siro in Week 13. Milan have won the last four meetings between the two sides but Messina fans will recall the 2-1 triumph at the San Siro back in September 2004. This encounter also sees the League’s most disciplined side take on Serie A’s bad boys. While Milan have recorded just three red cards and 51 bookings, the Biancoscudati have seen 13 dismissals and a staggering 94 cautions.

Giordano will be glad to welcome Ivorian stopper Marco Zoro back from suspension but cannot call upon the banned Vincent Candela or injured pair Angelo Rea and Mitsuo Ogasawara. Veteran Milanese hit man Arturo Di Napoli is struggling with a calf injury but cannot be ruled out.

Milan are finally nearing a full strength squad. Serginho remains sidelined and Cristian Brocchi is fighting flu, but they are the only probable absentees. Ricardo Oliveira is set to be banished to the bench leaving a Ronaldo and Alberto Gilardino partnership. Both men will be fresh having sat out the mid-week clash with Bayern Munich due to ineligibility and suspension respectively.

Man on fire: Ronaldo (Milan) - Il Fenomeno opened the scoring against Empoli last weekend and turned provider to set up Gilardino for the second. He has breathed new life into the Rossoneri front line since his arrival and Messina will struggle to contain him.

Last season: Messina 1-3 Milan

Form guide: Messina (W D L L L) Milan (W L W D W)

Messina (probable): Paoletti; Zoro, Iuliano, Lavecchia, Pestrin; D’Aversa, Masiello, Giallombardo; Alvarez, Floccari, Rigano’

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kaka’; Gilardino, Ronaldo