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Serie A Week 6 - 14/10/06 (17.00 UK)Sampdoria - MilanStadio FerrarisIt might have taken them 17 matches, but Sampdoria finally chalked up their first win since February against Parma in Week 5 – now they will be eyeing the scalp of Milan, as the Rossoneri make the trip to Marassi on the back of three straight goalless draws in all competitions.
The Blucerchiati’s match winner against the Tardini outfit was Emiliano Bonazzoli, who was also on target in the shock win over Milan early last season. The lanky hitman’s return from a serious knee injury has been a major boost to Walter Novellino’s side, especially since Francesco Flachi is currently sitting out a two-month ban for a betting scandal.
The tactician received more good news in the striking department earlier this week with Fabio Bazzani’s announcement that he is almost ready to return to action after the best part of a year on the treatment table. On the downside, Christian Maggio is unlikely to play any part in this game through injury. With Christian Terlizzi also expected to be benched, Samp’s only likely changes from the side which beat Parma will be to bring back Giulio Falcone and Mirko Pieri in their place.
Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has had to endure a difficult few weeks, which became even tougher after Kaka criticised his favoured Christmas Tree formation. As a result, the Rossoneri switched to a 4-3-1-2 against Siena, but despite drawing a blank against the Bianconeri he is likely to persist with the system. However, his patience in Alberto Gilardino appears to have run out after a poor start to the campaign, and it is unlikely that the hitman will be handed a starting berth.
The one thing in Gila’s favour is that he broke his Milan duck against Doria in this fixture last term, while he has also had a chance to rest after Roberto Donadoni dropped him from the Azzurri set-up. Nonetheless, don’t be surprised if summer signing Ricardo Oliveira is handed his place in the starting XI alongside Pippo Inzaghi.
Paolo Maldini, Serginho and Yoann Gourcuff are all still absent with injury though, but Carletto is still expected to make a double change at full-back. Daniele Bonera should replace Marcos Cafu on the right, with the offensive-minded Marek Jankulovski taking Giuseppe Favalli’s place down the left. Last term’s defeat was the only time Milan have failed to emerge from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris without a point in the best part of a decade – given their rotten recent form, a repeat is certainly on the cards.
Man on fire: Emiliano Bonazzoli (Sampdoria) – Appears to have put his injury nightmare behind him after netting the winner against Parma and also laying on a goal for Daniele Franceschini.
Last season: Sampdoria 2-1 Milan
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Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Zenoni, Sala, Falcone, Pieri; Del Vecchio, Volpi, Palombo, Franceschini; Quagliarella, Bonazzoli
Milan (probable): Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Oliveira, Inzaghi
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