Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has talked up Saturday's trip to Brescia as the game of the season.
Milan have a six-point lead at the top of Serie A and can take a step closer to winning the Scudetto.
“That of tomorrow is the game of the season because it's the most important and can decide the season,” Allegri said.
Asked if he has a needle and thread at the ready to stitch the Scudetto on to Milan's shirts, he replied: “No, but winning would mean taking a beautiful jump forward.
“We haven't had a lot of time to prepare for this game, but the team already knows what it has to do.
“We must be careful and not undervalue this game because despite their last two negative results Brescia are in good shape physically.
“We must play well because I expect our opponents to put their physical and mental qualities on the pitch.
“They have important players up front like Eder, Caracciolo and Diamanti, and have pace and technique in the middle with the experience of Zanetti.
“It will be very difficult. We must interpret it in the best of ways, playing to our qualities.
“We have to go into it with the presumption of closing the game quickly.”
Andrea Pirlo admits his loyalties are torn today as Milan visit struggling hometown club Brescia. “I’m sorry, but we need to win.”
The midfielder was born and raised in Brescia, going on to their youth academy and the senior squad.
“It’s a shame to see Bari like this and I’m sorry, but Milan need to win the Scudetto,” he told Bresciaoggi.it.
“I expect our opponents to be aggressive and ready for battle, the way they always are.”
Pirlo's beloved Rondinelle are in penultimate place, so a positive result for his team could plunge them into Serie B.
President Gino Corioni was at the helm when Pirlo played for Brescia and announced this week he’s determined to sell the club after two decades in charge.
“Perhaps the President said those things to fire up the team. He certainly wants someone to step in and help invest for a more competitive Brescia and all told he’s right.
“If this really is his decision to walk away, then I am a little surprised. I hope he changes his mind.”
Pirlo made his first start in four months for Wednesday’s 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Palermo.
“I am in better shape now, but after four months out with a succession of injuries it is tough to find match fitness.”
Massimo Ambrosini has also returned to the squad after a long injury lay-off, as he hasn’t featured since January 29 against Catania.
Alessandro Nesta, Alexandre Pato, Pippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic are still unavailable.
Milan squad: Abbiati, Amelia, Roma, Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Legrottaglie, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Boateng, Emanuelson, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Van Bommel, Cassano, Robinho, Beretta.
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The formation I'd pick:
Cassano, Robinho
Boateng
Emanuelson, Van Bommel,Pirlo
Zambrotta, Yepes, Thiago Silva, Abate
Abbiati
Also this:
http://milanobsession.blogspot.com/2011/04...nt-put-all.htmlOh do I enjoy reading them.
This post has been edited by William405: Apr 23 2011, 11:27 AM