The next Serie A match. Trip to Cagliari.

I hope another 3 points like the last match against Messina. But never underestimate Cagliari...

Forza Milan!

I don't think they will be underestimating anyone, right now all they want is to atleast build a good run of wins, and I'm sure they will do anything they can to win

But ofcourse It's the ONLY way

we definitivily need to win this game , we cannot afford to lose more points on seria A at least if we want to reach a UCL spot.

If we win this one we will get close to the CL spot

yep yep , a win is a must here.

Channel4 preview Cagliari - Milan

Two sides with contrasting seasons so far face each other in Sardinia this week when Cagliari play under-achieving Milan at the Stadio Sant’Elia. Cagliari go into the match having suffered only their second defeat of the season away to Empoli, whilst Milan hope to build on their victory over Messina at the San Siro last week.

Cagliari currently lie in 11th place, and will be hoping to add to Milan’s woes this season by inflicting a fifth defeat of the campaign on the Rossoneri. Marco Giampaolo’s side have been difficult to defeat so far this season, and will want to continue their solid, if unspectacular, form against the Rossoneri. Prior to last weekend, they had won three and drawn eight.

Marco Fortin replaces the unfortunate former Roma and Lecce goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti, who withdrew in the 17th minute of the first half against Empoli with an injured shoulder. Simone Pepe starts on the bench once again, despite going close to equalising twice against Empoli only to be denied by the heroics of goalkeeper Daniele Balli. Daniele Conti also returns to replace Alessandro Conticchio in the only other change from the side that started against the Tuscans at the weekend.

Milan helped to relieve some of their woes with victory against Messina at the weekend courtesy of a headed goal by captain Paolo Maldini. Carlo Ancelotti described the win against Messina as “three very important points” as Milan hope to resurrect their season following the Calciopoli scandal and their recent spate of bad form. After a bright start, in which they wiped out their deficit with three wins in the first three games, the Rossoneri have since floundered with four defeats in their last seven ties. Before Saturday, they had been without a win since the 1-0 victory away to Chievo in Week 8.

Milan are still without Brazilian goalkeeper Nelson Dida, out for two months after the Champions League match last week, with ex-Leicester City stopper Zeljko Kalac continuing to deputise. The other major change could be a second start of the season for former Treviso hitman Marco Borriello in place of Filippo Inzaghi, who may drop to the bench. Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf will be pushing for a place in the side after coming on as subs on Saturday.

Man on fire: Kaka (Milan) – The Brazilian was back to his creative best against Messina and will undoubtedly threaten the Sardinians in Week 14.

Last season: Cagliari 0-2 Milan

Form guide: Cagliari (W D D W L) Milan (L L L D W)


Cagliari (probable): Fortin; Ferri, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Conti, Budel, Colucci; Esposito, Suazo, Langella

Milan (probable): Kalac; Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kaka; Gilardino, Borriello

except for him the line-up looks good to me.. or we could sub Brocchi for Seedorf(if he's recovered) and shuffle the mid to fit him in with gourcuff.

That's just a joke... I'm 100% sure he won't start.

I know it's too early but this would be my idea for the starting 11 (presuming Nesta and Clarence recover): Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Pirlo, Brocchi, Seedorf, Kakà; Oliveira, Gilardino.

We'll still have to see how things are going to develop in the next few days.

Except for Kalac, I dont think Carlo will experiment too much, so his line up will be; same old, same old

I would personally go for this line up

Bonera--Nesta--Maldini--Janku
----Brocchi--Pirlo--Gourcuff----
--------------Kaka----------------
-------Gilardino--Oliveira-------

Against Brescia we where playing more of a 4-4-2 in the first half, with Gourcuff and Janku on the wings but where free to cut in to the middle. I thought it worked pretty well. The first half of the game was us passing the ball around.

The second half was just Carl changing things around and giving the Primavera players a run out

It's ok, but i rather to have simic instead bonera, that would be my only change for the line up, the rest is just perfect.

Simic has a beter control of the ball , and eventhoug he is not as offensive as cafu he can set good plays in the middle, so that way pirlo wont be stuck in the back , also marek has the same ability to run with the ball, they can provide the oxigen on that area.

I personally think Bonera is a better RB than Simic. Simic may have a better ball possession, but he doesn't push forward a lot. Bonera on the other hand had an excellent match against Messina and I would like to see him on the right until Cafu recovers.

Simic and Bonera doesn't really bother me which one takes the RB role, although Bonera is improving bit by bit in that position, he has been working as lot with Tassotti also.

His crosses have improved a lot and he is getting better at running with the ball at his feet.

btw, I thought Bonera played great yesterday in the center, made some great and timely interceptions

Yeah, it would be best keeping both of them in the centre and buy a new RB in January. But go and tell it to Uncle Fester.

I just have a question.. who the hell is uncle fester...... ?

Galliani

thank youuu !!!

in spanish they dont call him that way , they call it uncle lucas, is a diff. translation.

Can't you see the similiarity?

HAHAHAHHAHAHA... gooooooood one bro, you got a 10 !!!

Serie A Preview: Cagliari-Milan

Milan will travel to the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, on the Mediterranean Sea, for a crunch encounter with their hosts.

When: Sunday December 3, 15:00 (CET)

Where: Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari, Italy


BACKGROUND

Milan achieved a comfortable 2-0 away win last season in this fixture.

The lead was snatched by the visitors inside the first minute. Alberto Gilardino was not closed down by the defense, and he was able to put a soft finish into the net.

Milan secured the victory halfway through the first half thanks to Andriy Shevchenko. In the 27th minute, ‘Sheva’ blasted an unstoppable shot from distance which found the back of the net.

CURRENT FORM

Cagliari (D W L, 14 points, 11th place in Serie A)

The Rossoblu are around mid-table, and this is good standing for them, but they have struggled to secure victories this season. They have an astonishing eight draws from the first thirteen fixtures.

Last season, they relied on David Suazo’s goals to win games, but he has just three thus far. They also need Mauro Esposito to be putting his name on the score sheet.

Milan (L D W, 11 points, 15th place in Serie A)

The Rossoneri have gradually improved their play recently, as they finally won a match last weekend at home against Messina, 1-0. The lone goal came from captain Paolo Maldini with a glancing-header in the 13th minute.

They must win here if they have any thoughts of possibly getting back into the title race.

TEAM NEWS

Cagliari has just one absence in this match, and that is first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti, who has a shoulder injury.

Milan must do without goalkeeper Nelson Dida, Gennaro Gattuso, and Giuseppe Favalli, who are all out until the new year. Defenders Serginho and Alessandro Nesta are also missing, as they both may require surgery for their nagging injuries.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

David Suazo (Cagliari) – His skills can at times be sublime, with his pace and dribbling ability the keys to his long runs at the defense. Strong on the ball and with a powerful shot, he will surely test a Milan backline which has at times been leaky this season.

Kakà (Milan) – He has been the best player for Milan all season, and they have often leaned on him for the attacking movements. He will need to once again be at his best to get a win against this Cagliari side.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Cagliari (4-3-3): Fortin; Ferri, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Conti, Budel, Colucci; Esposito, Suazo, Langella

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Simic, Costacurta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kakà; Gilardino, Borriello

PREDICTION

While this will not be an easy task, Milan can feel good about their chances against Cagliari, who have allowed more goals than they have scored. Both sides will hit on the counterattack, but Milan will be the one which converts their chances.

Cagliari 0-1 Milan

Goal.com

Why are both channel 4 and Goal.com saying that Boriello will probably partner Gila?? I really don't like this

Fu-ck yeah!!! I just found Football Italia's line-up randomizer on e-bay for 1$!!!!!!!

Nesta?? They ripped his arm off and stuck a new mechanical one in; Meet the new, improved Alessandroid Nesta!!

Borriello?? My randomizer reads Christian Maldini!! The new king is here...

Run to e-bay guys!!

I agree. Well, as long as we get the 3 pts...

hopefully Gila will score.. he scored in both games against Cagliari last season

Kaka' injuried and out of the trip to Cagliari.

Ha, you just beat me to it Porto. Yep, no Kakà. Now we'll see if we're really dependent on him or not. This would be my starting line up for tomorrow:

Kalac
Bonera Maldini Kaladze Jankulovski
Pirlo
Brocchi Gourcuff
Seedorf
Oliveira Gilardino

When did he get injured !!!!

what injured?!!?!?
QWHEBSDIPRENBRG

when? how? how long?

Nothing important. He'll be available for the CL. If not, for Torino for sure.

acmilan.com

I read Portugal's post and I had to do a double-take.

Kaka... injured!?

yah, good point.

He better be.
Thankfully it doesn't seem too serious. Hope he gets well soon.

Yep, same. Simic could play in place of Maldini too since Paolo is in pain...

Hmm... let's see what we can do without Ricky!! I hope Gourcuff shines!!


A true captain knows no pain!!

But yeah not being poetic I think Paolo could use a day off!!

He already had his day off against Brescia and will have another when we'll play against Lille. Right now we need him more than ever, especially when Ricky's missing.

I like youre line up X-offender, and that would probably the one Carlo will use, or by what he said during his conference we might go for a flat 4 midfield maybe using Antonelli as a winger, because he is great going forward but is shaky in the defensive aspect.

Something like this

Bonera--Maldini--Kaladze--Janku
Gourcuff--Brocchi-Pirlo-Antonelli
----------Oliveira----Gila----------

btw wasn't Seedorf still suffering from that knee injury??

Antonelli? C'mon, he's good but not THAT good for Serie A yet. To tell you the truth, he didn't impress me that much against Brescia. Anyway, Milan Channel's probable line up had Inzaghi instead of Oliveira. I really hope Carlo doesn't make that mistake.

Good line-up! hope Carlo goes with this...

His crosses and ability to go forward is very good, his defensive game is bad however that's why I put him in as a midfielder.

If Seedorf is not 100% then I don't see why we should risk another player going on a lengthy lay-off we already have enough of that. Besides this is Cagliari not Roma or Inter we are playing.

And if Carlo decides to play Pippo next to Gila again I'm gonna kill my self

Maybe we have no choice .. If Seedorf doesn't play, one of the youth would have to step in, it aint a riskm cuz we have no other alternative .. So much injuries ..

Antonielli, he had a good first half against Brecia, but didnt impress me much in the 2nd .. As han said, he is shaky in defense .. But I wouldnt be surprised if Carlo fielded him, whether as a LB or a winger, cuz we simply have no other alternatives ...

On the Maldini issue, he is 38, has an injury problem that he hasnt been able to shake off for 2 yrs now .. I think we shouldnt risk him, if we can field Simic and Kaladze, then I would want Maldini out for bigger games, cuz Fiorentina is right around the corner

Exactly. Antonelli's attacking game is very good, that's why I would play him as a winger.

If Seedorf is not totally and absolutely 100% fit then I wouldn't risk him, not when our injury list is as long as it is right now. Another injury to one of our starters isn't what we need.

I would play Maldini though, Kaladze and Simic doesn't really ease my nerves especially when Kala has been out for quite a while now and their is Kalac in goal. Maldini had his rest in midweek, he can have another against Lille since that game is of no use to us since we already qualified as winners of the group.

Are you guys out of your mind? No Kakà, no Maldini, no Seedorf? Hell let's play the whole Primavera squad if possible. This is a SERIE A match, we should absolutely win this one cause we're 15th in the ranking and if Cagliari wins then we'll be 6 points behind them. We can't make any experiments, not now, it's not allowded. If Seedorf won't make it, fine, put Simic in the centre, Kaladze on the left and push Jankulovski up in the midfield. But this still would be too risky cause with only Pirlo and Gourcuff organizing the game I don't think we have many possibilities. I personally think if Seedorf doesn't play, we're screwed.

that's a fact, we really need him this match even if he's a bit injured

Well X ... It's not like we have a choice

Plus, these r all assumptions, cuz with the amount of injuries we have, I don't think we have a choice, it isnt an experiment, this is reality, these are our back up players im afraid

In anycase, we'll beat them .. FORZA MILAN

Seedorf should and will play, I'm pretty sure about it. My only fear is Ancelotti playing both Inzaghi and Gilardino together. Damn that would be stupid.

Having Antonelii as a winger is not such a 'big risk' imo. Again he is shaky defence wise but is good going forward.

I personally wouldn't risk aggrevating whatever injury Seedorf might have as small as it is, it could get worse with him playing.

But your way is definately good, putting Kaladze on the left and Janku in the mid would also be a good idea.



Having more injured starters is definately NOT what we need. I'm sorry but these 3 points are not worth that. It will still iventually hurt us in the long run.

And if Gila and Pippo are played next to each other WITHOUT Kaka behind them then I will kill my self. It just doesn't work, Gila is not someone that could be played on the shoulder of the target man, simple as that I can't see why we are continueing to persist with this. Oli and Gila have proved to be our best pair. We should stick with them.

2 hours left.

Kalac

Simic - Kaladze - Maldini - Janku (but will probably be Bonera - Simic - Kaladze - Janku)

Brocci - Pirlo - Gourcuff

Seedorf

Gila - Oli

Would be my line-up.