Siena - Milan --
Football Italia previewMilan arrive at the Stadio Artemio Franchi just two points shy of a Champions League spot and determined to maintain their momentum against stubborn Siena, who held them to a stalemate earlier in the season.
Despite the usual pre-season anxiety, Siena are comfortable in mid-table and could save their Serie A status with finger-nails intact if they can remain hard to beat. What the Robur lack in flair they more than make up for in grit and determination and they seem to relish the chance to make life difficult for more illustrious opposition.
Goalkeeper Alex Manninger was the hero in Week 5 as the Bianconeri held Milan to a stalemate at the San Siro and Siena fans don’t have to think back too far to remember their last triumph over the Rossoneri – a 2-1 win at the Artemio Franchi in April 2005. The Tuscan minnows showed great resolve in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Cagliari, finding a late equaliser having seen a 1-0 lead reversed. However, Milan-born tactician Mario Beretta will need his side to dig even deeper if they are to deny Milan maximum points this time around.
After a stumbling start to the campaign, Milan have hit lethal form. Week 23’s 2-1 win over Livorno extended the Diavoli’s unbeaten run to 11 games, dating back to November’s reverse against Roma. The pre-season objective of a Champions League place is back on the cards and the arrival of Ronaldo has given the front line a much-needed jolt – the inconsistent Alberto Gilardino and Ricardo Oliveira now know that they must perform.
Another man who needs to find form is Andrea Pirlo. While everyone knows what the Azzurri star is capable of, it has been a while since he demonstrated it on the Serie A stage. Maybe Gennaro Gattuso’s virtuoso performance last weekend will remind him what is expected.
Beretta must continue to manage without young Ivorian midfielder Abdoulay Konko who is a week short of recovery from a left knee tendon injury, but has ex-Milan forward Tomas Locatelli at his disposal again after he completed his suspension. Enrico Chiesa is out with a flu bug but Mario Frick should be fit despite midweek dental surgery.
Carlo Ancelotti’s injury list remains a weighty tome. Serginho, Alessandro Nesta, Cristian Brocchi and Giuseppe Favalli are all sidelined as are ‘keepers Dida and Zeljko Kalac giving Marco Storari a second start. Oliveira, Gilardino, Pippo Inzaghi and Ronaldo are set to compete for two places up front.
Man on fire: Marek Jankulovski (Milan) – He may not be a regular hero at the San Siro, but the Czech international is relishing regular first-team football and secured the points for the Diavoli with a stunning long-range strike last weekend.
Last season: Siena 0-3 Milan
Form guide: Siena (D D W L D) Milan (W W D W W)
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Siena (probable): Manninger; Bertotto, Portanova, Rinaudo, Molinaro; Antonini, Codrea, Vergassola; Cozza, Corvia, Maccarone
Milan (probable): Storari; Oddo, Bonera, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka’; Gilardino, Oliveira
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