Milan - Reggina Stadio Meazza
Rejuvenated Milan welcome Reggina to the San Siro this weekend for a crucial Week 19 encounter. The Rossoneri got their campaign back on track before the winter break with a couple of thumping wins, but will need to continue in the same vain if they are to achieve their goal of Champions League qualification.
Reggina would be eyeing up a place in Europe themselves next term if it wasn’t for their 11-point Calciopoli deduction. The Amaranto are instead forced to concentrate all their attention on avoiding the drop, seeing as they are currently two points from safety.
Fortunately, boss Walter Mazzarri has no injury or suspension worries to concern himself with after the festive period. Indeed, his only change is a welcome one, as Daniele Amerini is likely to return from suspension in place of Luca Tognozzi.
In contrast, Milan are inundated with injury worries. Last season’s two-goal hero in this fixture Paolo Maldini is among those still sidelined – a list which includes Alessandro Nesta, Dida, Giuseppe Favalli and Serginho – yet the only change to the team which hammered Udinese before Christmas is an enforced one. Gennaro Gattuso is banned, so Coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to replace him with Ricardo Oliveira and change to a more attack-minded 4-3-1-2 formation.
Anything other than a Milan win in this clash would be considered a shock result, despite their inconsistent form this term. And with Leandro Grimi already recruited to boost their defensive line-up and the goals flowing from their key hitmen, surely the only way is up for the Rossoneri?
Man on fire: Alberto Gilardino (Milan) – The former Parma striker ended 2006 with a glut of goals, putting a few months of frustration firmly behind him.
Last season: Milan 2-1 Reggina
Form guide: Milan (D D D W W) Reggina (D W L L W) Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Pirlo, Brocchi, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino, Oliveira
Reggina (probable): Pelizzoli; Lanzaro, Lucarelli, Aronica; Mesto, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Leon, Amoruso; Bianchi
Ref: To follow..
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