[Portman]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 34

Torino v Milan

Saturday, 28th of April, 2007

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

Next match. Trip to Torino.

[jefri91]

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Very imaginative....you should try out for the curva sud. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Lol thank you

Serie A Preview: Torino - Milan

AC Milan make the less than one hundred miles trek westward to Torino this Saturday.

(IMG:http://goal.com/images/18954_news.jpg)

When: Saturday April 28, 18:00 (CET)

Where: Stadio Olimpico, Torino, Italy


This Saturday in Torino, two teams with very different agendas go mano a mano.  On one hand, you have Torino, who find themselves dangerously close to the relegation places. 

Torino, the second side in Turin (as Juventus are undoubtedly more popular), are playing their worst football of the season, and things are not looking good for them to secure safety from the drop.   

They have the absolute worst attack in all of Serie A, and that will most likely not change any time soon.  None of their strikers have been able to find consistency at all this season, with midfielder Alessandro Rosina being the only man in the squad with more than four goals to his name. 

Really, the only thing they do have going for them is their defensive record.  They are able to limit other teams’ offensive output, having not given away more than two goals since the 5-1 thrashing they received in Florence against Fiorentina in early March.   

Now, on the other side of the ball, stands Milan.  The Rossoneri have steadily climbed up the Serie A table since the midseason acquisition of Ronaldo, and must feel confident of having pretty much secured their status for next season’s Champions League (CL), which was their goal all along.  They are six and seven points clear of Empoli and Palermo, who have both struggled in the latter part of the campaign. 

The side will have a bit of a different look than what fans are used to seeing, though.  With the do or die CL semifinal second leg on Wednesday against Manchester United, many of the major cogs will be rested. 


CURRENT FORM

Torino (33 points, 14th place in Serie A)

Last three results

4/15 Torino 1-2 Atalanta

4/18 Siena 1-0 Torino

4/22 Empoli 0-0 Torino



Milan (56 points, 4th place in Serie A)

Last three results

4/15 Messina 1-3 Milan

4/18 Ascoli 2-5 Milan

4/21 Milan 3-1 Cagliari


TEAM NEWS

Torino have one injury concern of note, but it is a very significant one.  Defender Cesare Bovo is gone for the remainder of the season with a foot problem. 

Milan are without Kakha Kaladze, who is suspended, while many other players will be rested in order for them to get a maximum performance on Wednesday. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – He will be fielded just behind the lone striker, which means he will be the key to Toro’s usually paltry attack.

Ronaldo (Milan) – With him being cup-tied and therefore not able to play in the CL, he is a certainty for this match.  He has been on fire lately, and could get even more goals in this fixture. 

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Torino (4-4-1-1): Abbiati; Comotto, Brevi, Franceschini, Balestri; Lazetic, De Ascentis, Ardito, Coco; Rosina; Stellone

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Cafu, Bonera, Simic, Favalli; Gourcuff, Brocchi, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Oliveira, Ronaldo 

PREDICTION

Milan will not be quite as potent as they have been, but they won’t need many goals against the worst attack in Serie A.  I predict another good showing from Ronaldo, but don’t be surprised if Torino keep it close until the end. 

Hmmmm the guy who made this on Goal's Website looks like he really hates Torino (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)