Milan - Siena -- Football Italia previewMilan’s sprint up the standings has taken them to fifth place with a game in hand, but they enter an injury crisis and face a Siena side fresh from hammering Roma 3-0.
The Rossoneri’s hopes of a Champions League spot seemed dead and buried only a few weeks ago, but their run of three straight victories has pushed them back into the thick of it. The fact that in that time they have beaten rivals Udinese and Fiorentina in their own back yard has boosted confidence no end and made them seem like the new favourites for a top four finish.
However, the 1-0 victory against the Viola brought with it some bad news. Alexandre Pato scored his fourth – and decisive – goal before he was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious ankle sprain. Alberto Gilardino was booked for dissent and will be suspended, so with Ronaldo, Pippo Inzaghi and Gennaro Gattuso still injured, this leaves Carlo Ancelotti with precious few options upfront.
We could see Kaka used as the lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 system, supported by Clarence Seedorf and Yoann Gourcuff. Emerson is set to fill in for Gattuso and Zeljko Kalac keeps hold of the gloves despite Nelson Dida’s recovery from a shoulder problem.
There is also the risk of tiredness, as Massimo Ambrosini, Massimo Oddo, Andrea Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kakha Kaladze and Dario Simic were called away on international duty and the Champions League clash with Arsenal is on the horizon along with the rescheduled Serie A meeting with Livorno on February 13.
If Milan are in ebullient mood, then Siena are positively soaring after thrashing Scudetto contenders Roma 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. It was the Giallorossi’s first away defeat and only their second Serie A loss of the season, serving to reiterate what an extraordinary achievement this was by the Tuscan minnows. The fact it was done without talisman Tomas Locatelli and Under-21 international Daniele Galloppa just adds to the fairytale, but can they add another chapter at San Siro?
Trequartista Houssine Kharja and midfielder Lucas Jarolim were particularly impressive against Roma and retain their places in the starting XI, which should remain unchanged after that remarkable performance.
Having scared Inter with a slender 3-2 defeat and beaten Palermo and Roma in recent weeks, nobody can take Siena for granted, even if they are in the relegation zone. Milan already have bad memories of last season’s 0-0 draw, the first time Siena have emerged unbeaten from this fixture in Serie A.
Keep an eye on: Houssine Kharja (Siena) – Locatelli’s injury gave the 25-year-old Tunisian the chance to make his first appearance of the season and at times he terrorised the Roma defence.
Last season: Milan 0-0 Siena
Form guide: Milan (W L W W W) Siena (L L W L W)
Milan (probable): Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Emerson; Seedorf, Gourcuff; Kaka
Siena (probable): Manninger; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, De Ceglie; Jarolim, Codrea, Vergassola; Kharja; Maccarone, Frick
Ref: To follow...
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