[Darunia]

Yes, this is a big blow. Why does Rino have to get injured just as he was starting to play well (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

[Zed.D]

^^^

I think he tried too much in Reggina game, running and tackling all the time. was it necessary? yes. was it worth this injury? not at all!

Anyway, I hope he makes the second leg of Arsenal game at least.

[dst]

I think he tried too much in Reggina game, running and tackling all the time.

Yeah cause he never does that! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) What are you talking about buddy, it is Gattuso that got injured...

[Zed.D]

Yeah cause he never does that! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) What are you talking about buddy, it is Gattuso that got injured...

He didn't play like this for most of the season, and all of a sudden he got charged in Reggina game and injured himself...

[dst]

He didn't play like this for most of the season, and all of a sudden he got charged in Reggina game and injured himself...

Again, it's Gattuso. That's not the reason why he got injured. And it's not that he was not giving 100% before the Reggina game it's that he had been running for no reason before that. Gattuso is always charged... that's his game...

Besides, it's supposed to be a problem with his knee. You don't get that by suddenly changing the pace of your game, he got a knock that's all and it could have happened any day...

But trust in our Cavaliere to be back before you notice!

This post has been edited by dst: Feb 1 2008, 07:07 PM

[redbabies]

I dont know who'll stop Fabregas if Gattuso won't be there (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

[Zed.D]

Again, it's Gattuso. That's not the reason why he got injured. And it's not that he was not giving 100% before the Reggina game it's that he had been running for no reason before that. Gattuso is always charged... that's his game...

Besides, it's supposed to be a problem with his knee. You don't get that by suddenly changing the pace of your game, he got a knock that's all and it could have happened any day...

But trust in our Cavaliere to be back before you notice!

Yes, you're right. I'm talking nonsense... hope he recovers asap.

[Tennie]

Also posted in the 'Gattuso injured' thread, but Gazzetta is estimating 20-30 days out in its article (compared to Controcampo's 30).

[arivanjj]

Serie A Preview: Fiorentina - Milan

Previous Encounter

When Milan hosted Fiorentina in September, the visitors nearly came away with the full three points, but Milan held on for a 1-1 draw.

Fiorentina surprised Milan at how they attacked vigorously from the start of the match, but it was Milan who struck first blood. Near the half-hour mark, Dario Dainelli took down Massimo Ambrosini inside the penalty box, and Kakà scored the resultant penalty.

After having been lucky to keep Fiorentina off the scoresheet in the first half, Milan were not so fortunate in the second stanza. In the 56th minute, Mario Santana’s cross was met by Adrian Mutu, who headed past Dida. Milan’s defense had been exposed for the umpteenth time in this fixture, and it had finally cost them.

The Viola pushed for the match-winner after this, and had the better of the chances for the remaining minutes, but neither side could seize the moment, and it finished as a very entertaining draw.

Fair Firenze

One of the world’s most popular vacation destinations, Florence, has also been kind to Serie A sides on their travels this term. Fiorentina, the favorite club of the area, have also enjoyed their travels―but away from Florence, of course.

Fiorentina have had no problem scoring at home this season, but neither have the visiting sides. In fact, judging by their home record, you would not expect the Viola to be a top-four side, but that is precisely where they find themselves. Going into Sunday’s match, only nine sides in the Serie A have allowed more goals at home than Fiorentina, with the worst having only allowed four more (that being Livorno).

On the road, however, Fiorentina have thrived, with five wins, four draws and only one loss from ten away fixtures. The first point most people would make for this success is that their offensive unit, featuring a three-man line upfront, has done quite well this season. Adrian Mutu has been the main culprit with thirteen goals to his credit, which makes him the second-leading scorer in Serie A.

Rather than give all of the credit to the strikers, though, you also have to pat the defense on the back. They have only allowed six goals in their travels, which is tied for tops in the league. The most impressive statistic of all has to be that they have kept a clean sheet on five occasions playing on the home turf of another side this season.

Bearing that in mind, it is no wonder that Milan have been heavily rumored to be interested in signing their goalkeeper, Sebastian Frey. He is prone to mistakes every now and then, but is more than capable of pulling off the most impressive of saves time and time again.

Travel Expenses

Milan have played well on the road this season; but recently, with the backlog of fixtures, they have not shown the type of form (in particular the way they played in October) that saw them come away from Rome’s Stadio Olimpico with a 5-1 victory over Lazio and then a 5-0 result for the good against Sampdoria.

The amount of matches they have played in the last month has drained the squad, and the expense of energy has caused further injury victims on top of those they already had. The worst of all these recent injuries has been the horrifying news this week that Gennaro Gattuso, Milan’s midfield workhorse, has been lost to a muscular problem, one that will keep him away from the field for around three weeks.

Back to the playing sides of things, Milan will be hoping to have similar luck to that of visiting sides to Florence this term, but history does not bode well for the Rossoneri. They have not won their since April of 2005, and historically have struggled in the Tuscan capital. In sixty-seven all-time away encounters against Fiorentina, Milan have only been victorious in nineteen of those matches, with an equal number of draws but a staggering twenty-nine losses.

The end of this crowded run of matches is in sight, with only one more match to make up for those they missed due to their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Rossoneri cannot rest on their laurels yet, however. Fiorentina will be their toughest test of the year, and they are a direct competitor for the fourth-place finish which brings with it a chance at top-level European football next season. All in all, the prospect of moving within four points of fourth place should be enough to give Milan a boost in this match.

FORM GUIDE (last five fixtures)

Fiorentina

1/16 Fiorentina 2-0 Ascoli Coppa Italia

1/19 Fiorentia 2-1 Torino Serie A

1/24 Lazio 2-1 Fiorentina Coppa Italia

1/27 Empoli 0-2 Fiorentina Serie A

1/30 Fiorentina 1-2 Lazio Coppa Italia

Milan

1/16 Catania 1-1 Milan Coppa Italia

1/20 Udinese 0-1 Milan Serie A

1/23 Atalanta 2-1 Milan Serie A

1/27 Milan 2-0 Genoa Serie A

1/30 Reggina 0-1 Milan Serie A

TEAM NEWS

Fiorentina’s Marco Donadel is suspended, but the rest of the squad should be ready to go for manager Cesare Prandelli. Christian Vieri, formerly of Milan, will probably start on the bench.

For Milan, Marek Jankulovski and Serginho are missing from the squad, while Filippo Inzaghi is not yet fit enough to play either. Ronaldo is once again suffering from a mystery injury, and will not be able to play for an undetermined amount of time.

Shocking news has come this week for Milan supporters far and wide, as Gennaro Gattuso has been ruled out of action for approximately three weeks with a severe muscle strain. Baring a miraculous recovery, this will keep him out of the first leg of the Champions League first knockout phase encounter against Arsenal.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – This is the obvious choice, but a wise one nonetheless. He simply terrorizes Milan’s defense (as well as many others in the peninsula) whenever they cross paths.



Kakà (Milan) – He has been very disappointing lately, with the 1-0 win over Reggina on Wednesday seeing the world player of the year have a fairly absent performance. Still, he is capable of taking apart any defense on any day.



POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Pazzini, Mutu

Milan (4-3-2-1): Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Brocchi, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Pato

PREDICTION

Fiorentina always play Milan tough, and the attack is usually the most prevalent part of the game for both sides whenever they meet. They shared the spoils at one goal apiece when they met in Milan back in September, and should produce an equally exciting match here.

Fiorentina 2-2 Milan


goal.com

[Ry4n]

ANCELOTTI'S CALLED-UP PLAYERS
2/2/2008
MILANELLO - These are the called-up players of Carlo Ancelotti for the game in Florence:

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Fiori
DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo
MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf
ATTACKERS: Gilardino, Pato

Link http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx

[Fillipo Simone]

I'm curious,..why isn't Simic included? He'll loose his spot in the NT soon,..and I don't get it, it's like he's on a blacklist. They should have sold him in January..

[arivanjj]

nice to see Paolo and Janku back (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)


no Roni (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[dst]

I'm curious,..why isn't Simic included? He'll loose his spot in the NT soon,..and I don't get it, it's like he's on a blacklist. They should have sold him in January..

Can't you see how much better Bonera and especially Kaladze are!??

If he loses his place in the Croatia NT it's going to be all Milan's fault. And a disgraceful act since we're supposed to be so respectful to our players... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Oh it seems that today, Kaka is not a forward...

This post has been edited by dst: Feb 2 2008, 02:49 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

Can't you see how much better Bonera and especially Kaladze are!??

If he loses his place in the Croatia NT it's going to be all Milan's fault. And a disgraceful act since we're supposed to be so respectful to our players... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Oh it seems that today, Kaka is not a forward...

Exactly,..

[dst]

Positive Thoughts

Fiorentina is improving and growing year after year. We are playing well, not always the players are at hundred percent, but for Florence we are recovering well - ANCELOTTI'S PRESS CONFERENCE -

MILANELLO - These are the declarations of Carlo Ancelotti during the press conference on the eve of Fiorentina-Milan: "We must hope that Gattuso can recover as soon as possible and try to substitute him in the best way, Fiorentina-Milan is very important, it's a direct clash, and we play against a team which has more chance than Udinese to finsh fourth. Juve has more points and they do not have extra commitments apart from the league, these are huge advantages for them even if the league is very long. If they lose Buffon, it's not advantage to lose the number. Tomorrow we play a lot of chances. Fiorentina is a lively team, each year that passes they mature more, they are improving. Fiorentina played like us on Wednesday and played a tough game. Even they have some problems with injuries, so we're equal. Mutu is a difficult player to mark, because he moves away from the middle, and takes full advantage of the spaces to move inside. We shall have to pay particular attention for everyone. Milan has recovered after Reggio. If we play on Wednesday night and then on Sunday night, there is time to recover and find the best condition."

The other topics: "The fact that Gilardino scores more away from home is just a coincidence. In any case at home we have found more difficulty. The draw? We always go to win the game. The win would allow us to recover more quickly, then we shall see how the game goes. Emerson is improving and finding his condition, but he's not at 100% yet. He plays more in the narrow spaces and playing in front of the defence is the thing which works best for him. Pirlo enjoyed the role he had at Reggio. It's a position he manages well, he knows how to do many things, even for his past as attacking midfielder. However Pirlo is the best midfielder in the world. His role is well defined, even though he can move for some games. I don't think that a defeat would push us out of the battle. We love to nurture ourselves with positive thoughts. Lippi? I did no read it, is it a head of today? I'm not questioned by any marriage councillor in this sense (joked our coach). Me at Barcelona? Why no? Even though there isn't just Barcelona in Europe...(joked again our coach)."

Carlo Ancelotti again: "Dida is working. At Reggio he wasn't at his best, but he was available. For this reason he went on the bench. Kalac proved to be serious and professional. He did well i nthese games: the evaluation of the moment is this. Kaka? It's a moment of the season, with many games, in which not all are fresh. If Kaka for a game does not do things at his best, it's absolutely understandable. You cannot always be 100%. Ronaldo? The new injury is not positive. More than worried, we are sorry. The objective is to recover him. For the contract renewal, it's normal to wait for Ronaldo to recover and can give an important contribution. Pato has a problem to his adductor, but it's something we can handle. From the physical point of view he does not have problems. It's a small problem he has from October. In Florence we play with three attackers, Seedorf is universal (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . Gilardino? We're not giving him to anyone. For him it will be a game like any other. Whoever will have the opportunity of giving his contribution, he will give it at 100%. Whoever will be used, he will give everything. Gilardino was fundamental also for eight minutes at Udine. I was very sorry for not adding Serginho to the Champions League list, after all he had many problems, so it was him I chose."

Press Conference? This is it. Official Site? That's where it's from.