[misha]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 38

Reggina vs Milan

Sunday, May 27, 2007

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

Last game of the season (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) Another chance to give playing time to some young players since this game won't decide much for us but important to Reggina. Should be many Milan fans in the stands to honor their heroes.

[misha]

Channel4 preview:

It’s do or die for Reggina whose Serie A status hangs in the balance as Milan visit the Stadio Granillo with their thoughts still on Athens.

Reggina may have fought back from an 11-point Calciopoli penalty but it could all still be in vain. Although the Amaranto would be close to a UEFA Cup spot were it not for their handicap, they still have it all to do to avoid the drop.

The Calabrians’ fighting spirit was perfectly demonstrated in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Empoli where they trailed 3-0 at the break. While it saw Walter Mazzarri’s men extend their unbeaten run to eight games, they now need to upset Milan if they are to avoid putting their fate in others’ hands. Although a Siena defeat would guarantee survival, Mazzarri will be desperate to grab a famous victory in what looks likely to be his swansong.

Reggina will certainly be helped by Milan’s lack of motivation. The Rossoneri’s domestic season has been over for a while with all their energies being directed towards the Champions League campaign.

After a hard-fought and draining campaign, the Diavoli will see this trip as a frustrating delay to their summer holidays and would surely settle for a point. Neither side are strangers to draws. Milan have drawn nine times away from home this term – more than any other Serie A side – and Reggina have shared the spoils on eight occasions at the Granillo.

The Week 19 clash at the San Siro saw Milan run out 3-1 victors, but Reggina were left to rue missed chances and on another day could’ve grabbed a draw. While the Milanese have won the last five meetings between the two sides, the minnows will look back to May 2004 when they beat the Scudetto winning Milanese 2-1 and ensured their survival in the top flight.

Mazzarri has a few notable absentees for this most crucial of games. Pasquale Foggia and Alessandro Lucarelli are suspended and will be replaced by Luca Vigiani and Palmiro Di Dio respectively. Antonio Giosa and Luca Tognozzi are injured but stopper Maurizio Lanzaro has shaken off the muscular problem he sustained against Empoli. After a week of fevered anticipation and an unprecedented clamour for tickets, there promises to be a charged atmosphere as a sell-out crowd roar on Mazzarri’s men.

Milan may be drained but they have a strong squad. Carlo Ancelotti is only missing the suspended Ricardo Oliveira and Yoann Gourcuff while Ronaldo is sidelined through injury. Dida returns for Marco Storari who disappointed in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against Udinese.

Man on fire: Nicola Amoruso (Reggina) – Playing the best football of his career, the 31-year-old took his tally to 16 with a vital brace against Empoli last weekend.

Last season: Reggina 1-4 Milan

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

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Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Aronica, Di Dio; Mesto, Vigiani, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Amoruso, Bianchi

Milan (probable): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Kaka; Gilardino