Milan-Parma --
Channel4 previewAfter a couple of disappointing results Milan will be hoping to return to winning ways when Parma visit the San Siro. Meanwhile, the travelling side will be looking to cause an upset against the Champions League holders to secure their first win of the 2007-08 season.
An impressive 3-0 victory at Genoa on the opening day suggested that the Rossoneri would be a force to be reckoned with in the opening stages, but since then they have failed to pick up a win after 1-1 draws against Fiorentina and Siena. Having fallen four points behind leaders Roma, Milan will be eager to overcome the Crociati and keep up the early pressure at the top. The Diavoli’s striking options have once again come under scrutiny though, as they are yet to score a League goal via one of their forwards.
That problem has in part been caused by the mysterious injury that means Ronaldo will once again be unavailable for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. The Brazilian has been at the centre of controversy as the Selecao doctors accused Milan’s medical staff of misdiagnosing his injury, only for questions to be raised over the legality of the treatment he was receiving in Rio de Janeiro. Also still in the Milanello treatment room are veterans Paolo Maldini and Serginho, but otherwise the Diavoli should be back at full strength after resting the likes of Kaka and Andrea Pirlo against Siena.
Ducali boss Domenico Di Carlo will be slightly more concerned with the fitness of his squad though, as he will be without some key players for this difficult trip to the San Siro. Giuseppe Cardone, Andrea Gasbarroni and Igor Budan are all out with injuries and the likes of Marco Rossi, Daniele Dessena and Reginaldo will need to show that they can fill in successfully. Meanwhile, Domenico Morfeo is exiled to the bench once again following his pre-season bust up with Di Carlo.
Without a win to their name, Parma will be desperate to pick up some points in Milan. It won’t be an easy task, but the Rossoneri’s shaky start to the season will have given the Crociati confidence to push forward and put pressure on their opponents. However, the poor performance in the 2-0 defeat at Atalanta suggests that Di Carlo is yet to fix the dire away form that has nearly cost the Ducali their Serie A status on a number of occasions in recent years.
Keep an eye on: Bernardo Corradi (Parma) – The ex-Lazio striker has flown back to Serie A again, but this time he seems to have found his old form waiting for him in the arrivals lounge. He celebrated with a stunning volleyed goal against Cagliari last week, but will face a tougher task against the Milan defence.
Last season: Milan 1-0 Parma
Form guide: Milan (- - W D D) Parma (- - D L D)
Milan (probable): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino
Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Rossi, Castellini; Zenoni, Cigarini, Morrone, Dessena; Corradi, Reginaldo