[misha]

Parma vs AC Milan

Serie A 2007/08 - Week 23

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Stadio Tardini

Time : 17.00 (UK); 18:00 (IT)

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Milan hope to continue their remarkable comeback for a top four finish by taking on a Parma side in crisis.

The Ducali must do without January signing Cristiano Lucarelli, who limped off with a thigh problem during their disappointing 1-1 draw at Cagliari, as well as the suspended Bernardo Corradi and Francesco Parravicini. This means Igor Budan will be looking for his first goal of the season in only his fourth appearance.

Andrea Gasbarroni and Ferdinand Coly are also injury doubts for a Parma outfit without a win in six. They have dropped down to 17th place and Coach Domenico Di Carlo realises he has few chances left to keep hold of his job.

Yet beating Milan is a tall order indeed, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won six of their last seven games and have the strongest away record in Serie A with seven victories, a draw and just three defeats. Their record at the Tardini is also good, undefeated since 2003 with a draw and three straight wins.

It is always an emotional experience for Alberto Gilardino to face his former club, especially at a time when he is forced to reconsider his place in the Milan hierarchy. Alexandre Pato and Alberto Paloschi represent the new generation, while Ronaldo, Kaka and Pippo Inzaghi are still generally preferred to the misfiring Italian.

Pato and Ronaldo are currently struggling with injury, though Kaka should be back in the squad after a knee problem. Some squad rotation is required due to Wednesday’s rescheduled encounter with Livorno, put back from December because of the Club World Cup commitments, not to mention the upcoming Champions League clash with Arsenal. Another former Parma star, Daniele Bonera, should get a starting berth as well. It is crunch time for Ancelotti and he’ll need all his players on top of their game.

Keep an eye on: Alberto Gilardino (Milan) – The former Tardini hero returns to his old stomping ground prepared to make a point. History favours him, as this season all seven Serie A goals were scored away from home.

Last season: Parma 0-2 Milan

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

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Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, Couto, Castellini; Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Reginaldo, Budan

Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Gourcuff, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Last game before the clash with Arsenal. The win is important, but we must rest our key players.

[kurtsimonw]

Lets look at the bright side, we didnt loose and we didnt concede. And Dida got injured so there is no chance of him sabotaging our CL campaign

3 very good points there!

[Nova]

Highlights are uploaded for those who want to download them.

[Portman]

With 23 matches played we're 21 points behind the leader. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

21. Well, predictable with this management + poor and old squad.
F shame. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Tennie]

Here are datasport's ratings:

Kalac 7
Kaladze 6
Maldini 6
Nesta 7
Jankulovski 5.5
Cafu 5
Kaka` 6.5
Pirlo 7
Gattuso 5
Ambrosini 6.5
Emerson 6
Serginho 4.5
Gilardino 5
Inzaghi 5.5

[milanista1899]

It's 10:30 Italian Time

Ok thanks that'll be 9:30 here (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[dst]

Dida injured by the bench
Saturday 16 February, 2008

Carlo Ancelotti admits Alexandre Pato is a doubt to face Arsenal, while he explains how Nelson Dida managed to get injured on the bench.

Kaka made his comeback in the 0-0 draw with Parma this evening, but Clarence Seedorf and Pato did not make the trip and are at risk for the Champions League.

“Seedorf will be there, I am certain, but if we do recover Pato in time then it will have to be at the last minute,” said the Coach.

Arsenal were crushed 4-0 by Manchester United in the FA Cup today and Ancelotti was impressed.

“That is quite a surprising result, but also a lovely one for me. I hope it will be the same on Wednesday night.”

Zeljko Kalac’s fine form has earned him the gloves, but he would be there anyway as Dida sustained a freak injury at the Stadio Tardini.

“Dida’s back seized up and it is quite a serious problem.” The Brazilian was stretchered off at half-time after finding he couldn’t get up off the bench.

The 0-0 draw comes just days after a 1-1 result against little Livorno, dropping precious points in the race for a Champions League place.

“In the first half we struggled under Parma’s tempo, in the second played better and could have won it.

“We are in fourth place right now and have achieved our target of being in the top four when the Champions League kicked off again, even if Fiorentina have a game in hand.”

If the Viola pick up a point against Catania on Sunday, they’ll leave Milan in fifth.

...

[misha]

Arsenal were crushed 4-0 by Manchester United in the FA Cup today and Ancelotti was impressed.

“That is quite a surprising result, but also a lovely one for me. I hope it will be the same on Wednesday night.”

A moment of honesty from Carlo. Usually he's so PC.

[kurtsimonw]

Is Carlo saying he's actually happy that we're playing Arsenal after they got stuffed?

I for one would hate to play a team after such a result, you'll get the backlash and frustration from them. What a stupid thing to say.

[misha]

I for one would hate to play a team after such a result, you'll get the backlash and frustration from them. What a stupid thing to say.

It can work both ways.

[whoarethepatriot...]

It can work both ways.

Yep, Arsenal arent known for their mental strength

[misha]

Player Ratings: Parma - Milan

Parma and Milan shared the points in a highly entertaining game at the Tardini. Salvatore Landolina gives his view on the players performances.

Bucci -6.5: The veteran shot stopper pulled off a world class save from Kaka.

Zenoni -6.5: Played brilliantly all night and marked Inzaghi out of the game.

Couto -6.0: Another solid performance by the Portuguese stopper. Always alert and made some excellent challenges.

Falcone -6.5: Always alert to the danger and was quick to close down Milan’s front men.

Castellini -6.5: A fine performance by the defender he was always on Kaka’s heels and prevented the Brazilian from using his magic. 

Dessena -6.0: Always comfortable dealing with any threat coming through the middle of the park and was ready to help his side up front.

Morrone -7.5: Had a near perfect game, his passing was always accurate and he tested Kalac several times. Should have scored.

Cigarini -6.5: Brilliant on the left wing and his distribution caused the Milan backline several problems.

Pisanu -6.5: Chased everything down and was always looking to bomb forward to help the front men.

Reginaldo -6.0: Showed skill and pace but he should have done better in front of goal.

Lucarelli -6.5: Not fully fit but his movement was causing Milan trouble for most of the game.

Budan 5.5, Mariga 5.5, Gasbarroni 6.0
           

Milan

Kalac -6.0: Made a few good saves and was always comfortable between the sticks.

Cafu -6.5: Tireless running down the right and he covered well at the back, coped well with Reginaldo’s pace up front.

Nesta -7.0: Had a relatively quiet game but showed his brilliant defensive work when called upon.

Kaladze -6.5: The Georgian was as solid as a rock and he made some vital challenges on Lucarelli.

Jankulovski -6.5: Coped excellently when Parma began to up the ante. Came forward to help out the midfielders close up.

Gattuso -6.0: A poor game from the midfield dynamo. His passing was not great and he struggled to impose himself on the game.

Emerson -5.5: Seemed slow and tired, overall he was not great by any means.

Ambrosini -6.5: Enjoyed a great game and a performance to match. Controlled the midfield when his side had possession.

Serginho -6.0: Did well on the left flank but his distribution left a lot to be desired.

Kaka -7.0: Usual brilliance on the pitch. But his life was made hard as he was shackled for most of the game. Should have scored from a volley. Overall a solid game for the Brazilian.

Inzaghi -5.5: Was woeful in front of goal. He fluffed several chances and he really should have done better. A poor display by SuperPippo.

Gilardino 6.0, Maldini 6.5, Pirlo 6.5

[MizNelson]

MizNelzon DIDA will murder you all!!

Even that couldn't raise a smile.

Sigh... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[MizNelson]

Gah, double post.

Anyway, three guesses as to the [w]itch who wrote this crap, and the first two don't count. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

The losers…
Nelson Dida (Milan)
It really is quite an achievement to get injured on the bench and need a stretcher when you’ve not even stepped on to the pitch. Maybe he was trying to make Ronaldo feel better?

On a more positive note:

The numbers…
Millennium magic
Paolo Maldini celebrated the 1,000th professional match of his career, all of them with the Milan and Italy jerseys, when he came on as a substitute against Parma. Less epic a figure, Alessandro Rosina marked his 100th game for Torino.

(Ch.4)

[Jack Sparrow]

^^^
Suzy Campagnale?? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)


EDIT: I was right... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif) Daaayuuummmnnn I'm good!