Udinese - Milan -
Football ItaliaThis Saturday it is 13th place Milan who travel to the Friuli in Udine, hoping to give their fans the Christmas present of what would be an excellent away win. Udinese will be trying to continue their steady ascent back up the table. They find themselves in the area of the table their opponents are used to, but alas this year is a different story for the Rossoneri and the home side are not going to complain as they charge onwards and upwards
Udinese completed an impressive victory over tough Atalanta in the 96th minute last time out. Bergamo is never an easy place to pick up points, especially when you are reduced to 10 men after 72 minutes, but the Bianconeri had the will and the character to get the job done and put themselves back in the hunt for a spot in Europe’s premier competition. Fifth place will suit them and they will want to do all they can to stay there over the Christmas holidays.
The home side’s boss Giovanni Galeone will want to see the same will to win this time against a Milan side that seems on the up after a rather undistinguished period. In order to get the most out the match, Andrea Coda is likely to be replaced by Cristian Zapata alongside Cesare Natali at centre back. Antonio Di Natale is almost sure to start alongside Vincenzo Iaquinta after he netted the last minute winner last time out.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan have got two good results in a row now and may finally have turned a corner. After the draw against Fiorentina, another strike from a rediscovered Alberto Gilardino and two from an inspired Kaka gave the team from Italy’s business capital a big lift against Catania and some self confidence back. Almost more important than all of this however, was the fact that the Milan defence kept a clean sheet, which is something they normally excel at but have had trouble doing this term.
A ban for Daniele Bonera after a booking last time means Dario Simic will probably come into the centre of defence, Marek Jankulovski will also almost certainly play at left-back against his old club. Cristian Brocchi will probably retain his starting jersey ahead of Clarence Seedorf in midfield. In attack Gilardino seems to finally be assuming the responsibly of replacing Andriy Shevchenko. He will be looking for his sixth goal of the season and his fourth in three games. All this with the help of Ricardo Oliveira and the ever inspirational Kaka.
Man on fire: Kaka (Milan) – The Brazilian was sensational last time out. His double strike secured the points and showed he is back to his amazing best.
Last season: Udinese 0-4 Milan
Form guide: Udinese (L D L W W) Milan (W D D D W)
Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Zenoni, Natali, Zapata, Dossena; Eremenko, Obodo, Pinzi, Barreto, Iaquinta; Di Natale
Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Kaka; Gilardino, Oliveira
Channel4