[arivanjj]

Serie A Preview: Milan-Fiorentina -- goal.com preview

Great Expectations

The early predictions for the outcome of this match have been slanted toward one style of play, and that is for each team to come out with ambition toward bagging the goals. But this is nothing new. Whenever these two club sides meet up, all of the prognosticators believe the goals will fly and attacking play will be prevalent.

And you know what? They are usually right, with last season’s scoreless draw at the San Siro being the first match in a long while that did not produce the goals everyone expects to see between Milan and Fiorentina. Score lines from the recent past of 6-0 and 5-2 (both in favor of Milan) show just what the atmosphere is like at Milan’s home ground when the much-loved club from Florence comes calling.

FORM GUIDE



Milan

8/26 Genoa 0-3 Milan Serie A

8/31 Milan 3-1 Sevilla UEFA Super Cup



Fiorentina

8/26 Fiorentina 3-1 Empoli Serie A

CURRENT FORM

Milan opened the campaign last Sunday with a convincing 3-0 win away to Genoa, one of the newly-promoted sides. The match was firmly within Milan’s grasp basically from the start, and they deservedly went ahead in the 21st minute, with Massimo Ambrosini heading in an Andrea Pirlo free-kick.

Then, just before the break for halftime, Milan essentially killed off the game. Kakà, now firmly acclimated to his advanced position as the makeshift second striker (a position he played the great effect in the Champions League last season) calmly slotted into the net at the far post in the 44th minute, after Massimo Oddo’s cross from the right had come through a crowd. Just seconds later, Alberto Gilardino was adjudged to have been fouled by the Genoa ‘keeper, Rubinho, in the box, and Kakà scored from the resulting penalty kick.

Genoa tried in earnest to get at least a consolation goal in the second half, but it was not to be, and Milan were able to grab the full allotment of points to take home.

This past Friday, Milan traveled once again, but for a competition of a different sort. The Rossoneri were taking part in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla FC of Spain, which was held in Monaco. The events surrounding this match were enough to get it postponed (the death of Sevilla player Antonio Puerta giving everyone a reminder of what is really most important in life), but the ruling body, UEFA, decided the match should go forward, and Sevilla agreed.

Both squads started in a lively fashion, with Kakà hitting the outside of the post inside the opening few minutes. It was Sevilla, however, who went ahead. In the 15th minute, from a corner kick, Renato headed the ball into the net, partially thanks to some poor defending by Milan. The rest of the first half saw play go back and forth, but there were no more goals before the interval. When play resumed, Milan took the initiative, and a resourceful move and cross by Gennaro Gattuso was headed into the net by Filippo Inzaghi in the 56th minute.

Six minutes onward, Milan caught the Spaniards napping, and took the lead. After play had been stopped due to a clash between Gattuso and Seydou Keita of Sevilla, a free-kick was awarded to Milan, as a result of the clash. The ball was played to Andrea Pirlo, who then sent a perfect cross into the path of fullback Marek Jankulovski. He struck the ball first-time, and smacked it past Sevilla ‘keeper Andres Palop at the far post.

Milan secured the victory in the last few minutes (the 87th to be exact), when Kakà was fouled in the box, and he stepped up to take his own penalty kick.

Although, scoring the third goal was not simple. Andres Palop has become a hero to the Sevilla faithful for his penalty saving heroics, and he was able to block the effort of Kakà, albeit with his face. He got a bit unlucky in this instance, as the ball came right back to Kakà, and he headed into the empty net.

The thought among many is that Milan will return to the top this season and win the Serie A. This is within their grasp, of course, but the return of Juventus, along with the strengthening of Inter and Rome, will make it quite a remarkable feat if it is indeed accomplished.

For Fiorentina, they could not have started the season better, considering what took place over the summer. Their talismanic striker, Luca Toni, transferred to Bayern Munich, knowing this would be his last chance to secure a move to a larger club, having already considered offers from many of Europe’s top sides before turning them down to stay with Fiorentina.

Toni had been the heart and soul of the Florence-based club since his arrival from Palermo a few years ago. His amazing tally of thirty-one goals two seasons ago was good enough to become capocannoniere (the title given to the Italian Serie A’s top-scorer each year).

The workload left in Toni’s absence was now placed on the shoulders of Adrian Mutu and young striker Giampaolo Pazzini (whose name will forever be in history as the first player to score at the new Wembley Stadium in London, when he did so with a superb strike against England in a U-21 fixture last season).

While only one match has been played so far, these two players have stepped up to the challenge. Both scored in the 3-1 win at home against Empoli last weekend, with Riccardo Montolivo adding the third.

Not only that, but they seem to be relishing the prospect of having these expectations placed on them. Pazzini stated over the summer on more than one occasion how he was looking forward to stepping into Toni’s shoes, and Adrian Mutu has taken it one further, saying he will be among the contenders for this season’s capocannoniere.

These are big words, no doubt, but the confidence displayed by the strikers should give much hope to the supporters that all is right for the Viola.

TEAM NEWS

Milan are without captain Paolo Maldini, who is recovering from knee surgery over the summer. It is uncertain whether Ronaldo will see his first action of the season, but could be a late addition to the lineup.

While Filippo Inzaghi was spectacular in the match against Sevilla, he will probably make way for Alberto Gilardino, as manager Carlo Ancelotti will want to get good use out of his strikers.

Fiorentina have more injury concerns that their opponents, as Riccardo Montolivo, Franco Semioli and Martin Jorgensen are major doubts. One piece of good news for the club is that Tomas Ujfalusi returns to the side.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andrea Pirlo (Milan) – While Kakà will surely get most of the defense’s attention, this deep-lying playmaker cannot be overlooked. His man-of-the-match performance in Monaco on Friday could be the signal (an unwelcome one at that) to Italy that he is back to his best, after having struggled much of last season.

Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – He has thrown down the gauntlet, and must back up his words with the type of play he has already carried over from a good campaign last season. Possibly one of the most-underrated strikers in all of Europe, he can terrorize any defense when he is at his best.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-2-1): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Gilardino

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

PREDICTION

This match may indeed be what everyone is expecting to see, with the attacks coming fast and furiously at both defensive departments. In the end, the key to victory may lie in the solidity of Milan’s defense.

Milan 2-1 Fiorentina

Joel Whitehead

[han2503]

I would prefer it if we played with 2 stikers here. Ronaldo works much better when he is being played along someone and he and Gila worked very well together last season.

[Tennie]

Call ups:

MILANELLO - Sono 19 i convocati di Carlo Ancelotti per domani:
PORTIERI: Dida, Kalac;
DIFENSORI: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo;
CENTROCAMPISTI: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf;
ATTACCANTI: Gilardino, Inzaghi.

In his press conference, Carletto said Ronaldo wasn't quite ready to play and they didn't want to risk him.

FIRENZE - Ecco la lista dei convocati della Fiorentina per la sfida con il Milan:
Avramov, Dainelli, Donadel, Frey, Gamberini, Gobbi, Krodlrup, Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Lupatelli, Lupoli, Mutu, Osvaldo, Pasqual, Pazzini, Potenza, Santana, Semioli, Ujfalusi, Vanden Borre, Vieri.

(Montolivo is hurt and will not play.)

[whoarethepatriot...]

I would prefer it if we played with 2 stikers here. Ronaldo works much better when he is being played along someone and he and Gila worked very well together last season.

Cant afford to do that, i do see your point but Kaka will be more effective considering he can push into advanced positions and drop back

the key is to stifle their midfield and we cant do that if we play and extra striker

[misha]

Seems like It will be the same line up as usual , just Gila upfront.

[han2503]

Cant afford to do that, i do see your point but Kaka will be more effective considering he can push into advanced positions and drop back

the key is to stifle their midfield and we cant do that if we play and extra striker

I personally prefer the 2 strikers system in Serie A, the xmas tree rarely works.

But since Ronaldo is out again I guess we have not other choice.

[KillerMax]

I personally prefer the 2 strikers system in Serie A, the xmas tree rarely works.

But since Ronaldo is out again I guess we have not other choice.

Actually we have made considerable progress with that formation since last season. We move the ball around much easier compared to last season and it looks like it could work very well for us. Ambrosini is a vital part of our team and our CL success last term. He is crucial and playing 4-4-2 means he has to sit out. But against weaker\smaller teams, the 4-4-2 formation would make sense.

This post has been edited by pKillerMax: Sep 2 2007, 08:04 PM

[whoarethepatriot...]

I personally prefer the 2 strikers system in Serie A, the xmas tree rarely works.

But since Ronaldo is out again I guess we have not other choice.

I also prefer two strikers but against teams like Empoli and Siena, not Juve and Inter

the xmas tree is more effective against bigger teams because with the players we have it morphs around

[Rossoneri7]

I also prefer two strikers but against teams like Empoli and Siena, not Juve and Inter

the xmas tree is more effective against bigger teams because with the players we have it morphs around

Agreed (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[Nova]

The last thing I want to see is Inzaghi & Gilardino playing together. They would concentrate more on stealing eachothers balls then the game itself.

After what I saw against Genoa , I really dont see why Gilardino is gonna start in this game. Keep in mind we just played the Euro Supercup , the team might be tired and Gilardino isn't quite the player who can perform without midfield supply.

I even prefer that aubameyang kid , cause Gila or Willy , the level of risk & doubt stays the same.

[KillerMax]

Well, like it or not, Gila can still score double figures.

[kurtsimonw]

Well, like it or not, Gila can still score double figures.

In the league he's the only one that will. Unless R9 scores an average of 5 a game.

[Portman]

Ancelotti fears Fiorentina
 
Monday 3 September, 2007 ::: channel4.com

Carlo Ancelotti has no intention of fielding a weakened squad against Fiorentina just days after their European Super Cup win.

“I am not going to rotate the squad. I am focusing on the same XI that played in Montecarlo, including Gennaro Gattuso. Despite the stitches for that cut over his eye, he is doing fine.”

Milan won the trophy for a record fifth time on Friday evening, beating Sevilla 3-1 with goals from Pippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and Kaka.

For that reason this Serie A Week 2 clash with the Viola was postponed until Monday at 17.00 UK time, but that doesn’t mean Ancelotti is taking it any less seriously.

“Fiorentina are a side with a tactical system and off the ball movement that is ingrained by now and some talented young players. They have always notched up a lot of points in recent years. I won’t say this is a head-to-head Scudetto battle, but it’s pretty close.”

Another reason for the lack of changes is the injury situation, as Ronaldo is still out of action despite his dramatic weight loss thanks to new thyroid pills.

“We don’t want to play Ronaldo until he is in normal shape. He still has a few twinges and we take that into account. One has to have the patience to wait,” added the Coach.

“Our intentions are to play him in Thursday’s friendly at Dynamo Kiev along with Alexandre Pato. We’ll evaluate his condition, otherwise I think Ronie can happily return after the break for international duty.”

That Ukrainian trip will be Pato’s first ever appearance in a Milan jersey. Although he was signed in the summer, the Brazilian starlet could not legally play for the club until he turned 18.

Pato celebrated his birthday on Sunday, even if he won’t be eligible for official competition until the transfer window re-opens in January 2008.

This post has been edited by Porty: Sep 3 2007, 03:00 AM

[KillerMax]

Pato and Ronaldo playing together... That's something I won't wanna miss.

[arivanjj]

Pato and Ronaldo playing together... That's something I won't wanna miss.

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