The first 'Serie A' fixture of 2007.

Prediction: 1-0.

Forza Milan!

i can't wait for serie a to start again!!! 3 - 1..

Yes Serie A is finally back, let's hope we pick up from where we left off

And I'm not going to put out any predictions because I'll jinx it

Yes Serie A cant wait

DP....look below

0-2 to Reggina

No, the first official fixture of 2007 is the Coppa Italia match against Arezzo in San Siro on 11th of January.

Coppa Italia doesn't count for me.

Edited.

Milan - Reggina

Stadio Meazza

Rejuvenated Milan welcome Reggina to the San Siro this weekend for a crucial Week 19 encounter. The Rossoneri got their campaign back on track before the winter break with a couple of thumping wins, but will need to continue in the same vain if they are to achieve their goal of Champions League qualification.

Reggina would be eyeing up a place in Europe themselves next term if it wasn’t for their 11-point Calciopoli deduction. The Amaranto are instead forced to concentrate all their attention on avoiding the drop, seeing as they are currently two points from safety.

Fortunately, boss Walter Mazzarri has no injury or suspension worries to concern himself with after the festive period. Indeed, his only change is a welcome one, as Daniele Amerini is likely to return from suspension in place of Luca Tognozzi.

In contrast, Milan are inundated with injury worries. Last season’s two-goal hero in this fixture Paolo Maldini is among those still sidelined – a list which includes Alessandro Nesta, Dida, Giuseppe Favalli and Serginho – yet the only change to the team which hammered Udinese before Christmas is an enforced one. Gennaro Gattuso is banned, so Coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to replace him with Ricardo Oliveira and change to a more attack-minded 4-3-1-2 formation.

Anything other than a Milan win in this clash would be considered a shock result, despite their inconsistent form this term. And with Leandro Grimi already recruited to boost their defensive line-up and the goals flowing from their key hitmen, surely the only way is up for the Rossoneri?

Man on fire: Alberto Gilardino (Milan) – The former Parma striker ended 2006 with a glut of goals, putting a few months of frustration firmly behind him.

Last season: Milan 2-1 Reggina

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

Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Pirlo, Brocchi, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino, Oliveira

Reggina (probable): Pelizzoli; Lanzaro, Lucarelli, Aronica; Mesto, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Leon, Amoruso; Bianchi

Ref: To follow..

Hummm were back once more to the seria A !!! finally, well, i think milan will win 2-0, or 3-1 as i read above.

I also hope willt have some minutes, is not a sane idea from gallianni to have him as a 4th striker, no he needs most minutes as possible, ans reggina is quite weak side, at leats he needs to play for 20-30 minutes.

also dida is almost coming back , nevertheless kalac was making a goo job in the final games of last year, but i hope we have a hell start of season.


Forza Milan !!!!

2 days, 15 hours and 19 mins to go

Time for the 4th win in 10 days ragazzi! Just the 3 pts!

Get them!!

Amazing picture!!

Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Pirlo, Brocchi, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino, Oliveira

This worries me alot. I do not think that cafu-kaladze are the best choices that we have at the moment. But I hope Carletto makes some changes during the game.

I understand that Cafu is gaining form and Kala is reviving from the injury, but nevertheless, I would still prefer we test Grimi.

@dst

Who is the guy on the left and what team is that?

it's a Greek team I think... Apollo Kalamarias and the player is called... well... Kolobourdas... how should I know!??

...

@dst

Wow, it is good to see the Greek teams trying to keep up Nice nice

well they're giving it all they got... it's not like Kolobourdas is going to be the next Maldini... even if he looks like him in that picture...

Joking or not , that is the picture from 1999 when Pirlo (on the right) played for Reggina and scored a goal against us in that game (final result 1-1). The player on the left is Guly (Gulilmininpietro ) who played for us back then (altough he looks very simmilar to Leonardo in that picture). That year we were celebrating the 100th birthday of our beloved club so we played with our first offical shirt in the history .

This is not a respons for dst it's just a response for those who didn't know some things that I have written above .

I'm pretty sure Paolo will step in instead of Kaladze. Kala is still injured and Carlo said they're hoping to get him back against Lazio. I agree on the rest of the line up, even though I'd like to see Bonera instead of Simic.

I like the line-up.

The defence is probably the best we have, but I think Kala is still out injured or is still recovering. Paolo played against Birkirkara so I think he is going to start, either next to simic or next to Bonera.

About Grimi. Right now I don't think it's wise to just throw him into the line of fire like that. First of all he doesn't know what he's going to be up against, he will probably be nervous and might make a few mistakes. Having had such a positive start this would probably dampen his confidence. The best way is to integrate him slowly into the team, like we did with Kaka and like we are doing with Gourcuff.

Maybe if we are winning then he could come in and play another few minutes and we will see what he can do against slightly harder opposition.

Serie A Preview: Milan-Reggina

Following the winter break, play resumes in the Italian Serie A this weekend, with both of these clubs eager to put certain aspects of 2006 behind them for good and move forward in 2007.

When: Sunday January 14, 15:00 (CET)

Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy

Starting Anew

Milan arguably had a harder year in 2006 than any other club in all of Europe—they lost in the Champions League semifinal (partially due to a refereeing mistake in the second leg); their talismanic striker, Andriy Shevchenko, departed for Chelsea of England (his reason being for the sake of his family, but this is of course debatable due to the riches he received as compensation for the move); they were docked eight points at the start of the season, despite their limited involvement in the betting scandal known as Calciopoli (a low-ranking club official had, on his own volition, supposedly attempted to influence a referee).

If all this wasn’t enough, they also had a severe loss of form in the first part of this season. To say they struggled to score goals would be an enormous understatement. Between the months of September and October, they had a run of seven-consecutive matches without a goal by one of their strikers.

This stretch has now been broken, however, with the way Alberto Gilardino caught fire at the end of 2006. He scored five goals in the five matches Milan played during December, and may be ready for a breakout 2007.

Reggina will also make good use of the New Year to advance themselves. An eleven-point deduction saw them start the season around the bottom of the table, and they are still in eighteenth place. All hope is not lost, though, and they should be confident in their ability to avoid the drop to Serie B at the end of this term. The Amaranto would potentially climb out of the bottom three with a win against Milan.

While their defense has not been anything to brag about this campaign, their attack has been quite good. Most of the twenty-three goals scored have come through two players: Nicola Amoruso and Rolando Bianchi. Playing in a supporting role for most of the season, Amoruso has tallied an impressive seven goals so far, and Bianchi has contributed even more up front, with nine goals.

CURRENT FORM

Milan (D W W, 20 points, 12th place in Serie A)

The Rossoneri finished 2006 in great form. A hard-fought draw away to Fiorentina was followed by dual 3-0 victories over Catania and Udinese. It was starting to appear as though the wheels had come off of the Milan machine which had rolled from one success to another in the recent years, but that concern has been tossed out the window.

Their attacking pedigree has returned with aplomb, and 2007 begins with great expectations.

Reggina (L L W, 12 points, 18th place in Serie A)

A side generally regarded as an also-ran, Reggina have sparkled at times this season with good attacking football. They had a bit of a tailspin in the run-up to the end of 2006, but were able to finish the year with a dominant 4-1 home win versus a talented Empoli side.

TEAM NEWS

Milan, yet again, are without several first-choice players. Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Nelson Dida are injured, while Giuseppe Favalli and Serginho are not fit either. Also, Gennaro Gattuso is suspended for this match because of accumulated yellow cards.

Reggina have no absentees at all for this match, and Daniele Amerini rejoins the side after his suspension.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kakà (Milan) – His form was not his best at the end of 2006, mostly because of the attention he received from opposing defenses due to his teammates’ inability to score. He will be rejuvenated and ready to go in 2007.

Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) – After a long break, players take time to get back in the swing of things, and this is especially true for defenders, so the recently-prolific Bianchi should get some very good opportunities in front of goal.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Oliveira, Gilardino

Reggina (3-4-2-1): Pelizzoli; Lanzaro, Lucarelli, Aronica; Mesto, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Leon, Amoruso; Bianchi

PREDICTION

Both sides will be so anxious to start the year on a high, and this match should be full of attacking chances, but the rust of the winter break will show at times. Still, Milan will have the majority of the chances, and should be efficient enough to get the win.

Milan 2-1 Reggina

Joel Whitehead

According to Carlo's press conference today, here's the probable starting 11 for tomorrow:

Kalac
Cafu Simic Maldini Jankulovski
Pirlo
Gattuso Gourcuff
Seedorf
Gilardino Inzaghi

Kakà isn't available, and Carlo said Pippo and Gila might play together tomorrow. He also said Jankulovski might play instead of Gourcuff. I personally don't like the line up. I mean, if Ricky isn't playing then Oli should definitely get a spot. Pippo and Gila together aren't going to lead us anywhere. I just hope this doesn't turn up into another Siena or Torino, cause we absolutely need the 3 points tomorrow.

Why Pippo and Gila again?? Why does he insist on it?? I can't find any other reason than Oliveira's availability and form...

Who will play at LB if Janku takes Gourcuff's place?? Not that this is going to happen, he has said he would do it before!

I hope we get the 3 points!!

Probably Favalli. It seems Carlo likes him a lot. He's actually not that bad, but Janku's much better. He and Gourcuff should start from the beginning.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Kaka forces Ancelotti rethink
Saturday 13 January, 2007

Kaka is out of the clash with Reggina, but Carlo Ancelotti is confident Milan can begin their push towards the top four places.

“It’s a long road towards the Champions League spots, but we are on good form at the moment and must make the most of it,” commented the Coach.

The Rossoneri have lost all hope of the Scudetto after falling 28 points behind leaders Inter, with the aid of an eight-point Calciopoli penalty, but insist they can still catch Catania in fourth following their hard work in the winter training camp in Malta.

“We hope that the work we did can pay off. We have rediscovered our sharpness, fresh legs and the strikers have also found the way to the goal.”

Kaka will be out of action for tomorrow’s meeting at San Siro, as he is still struggling with a foot strain.

“We have decided to give Kaka the time to fully recover so that he can be in top condition for next week’s game with Lazio. Clarence Seedorf will play as a Trequartista instead.”

It’s therefore possible Ancelotti will move to the Christmas Tree formation with Seedorf and Yoann Gourcuff supporting lone striker Alberto Gilardino, although Ricardo Oliveira or Pippo Inzaghi could act upfront instead.

Milan have been at the centre of several transfer rumours this January and the Coach gave his views on some of the big stories.

“If Massimo Oddo does not arrive, then we won’t be tearing our hair out. Antonio Cassano is an excellent player, but we didn’t need someone with his characteristics. Ronaldo is a great champion, but there’s a long way to go until June, so we’ll wait and see.”

It’s reported that the Rossoneri had secured an agreement with David Beckham before he decided to leave Europe for LA Galaxy.

“He would’ve played regularly in my midfield. I’ve always liked him as a player,” added Ancelotti.


Football Italia

---------------------------------------------------------------

Rino is suspended and JUST the idea of Pippo and Gila playing together is a sin.

We have Oli who even though hasn't set Serie A alight with his scoring capibilities, he has the perfect qualities to play as our supporting forward.

Carlo has been hinting at certain formations before games and then he comes out with totally different things recently so I hope this is the same scenario.

The best formation we could play tomorrow is this one I think

Cafu--Simic/Bonera--Maldini--Janku
------Brocchi--Pirlo--Gourcuff--------
--------------Seedorf------------------
-------Gilardino--Oliveira-------------


This is the time for Seedorf to step up and fill the void that will be left by Kaka. There is no doubt that he can support our attacking line. It just remains to be seen wether or not he will be in his 'resting and walking around mood'

I think Carlo will start Gila alone. At least for the first half, then maybe introduce Pippo/Oli. As it may seem, I think Carlo will use such a formation through out the season. He tried it from the very start, but he couldnt get it to work.

Maybe now he has got the team prepared to play this formation. If Gourcuff shows his class w/ us this season. I have strong belief that this team with the x-tree formation, plus Oliviera as a substitute to this formation would bring us the CL. Cuz, I mean all we need is Nesta, Dida, Kaka, and Cafu/Simic, in the best of form and we would be stronger than many sides in the competition; considering where they lack.

p.s. I know I might be dreaming .. But what else have I got to loose

Carlo will never play with one striker at San Siro, that's guaranteed

Maldini will play for sure, so maybe Kala will step.

I think Silvio doesn't allow him. Just remember so many times Silvio critisised him on medias for X-mas tree

I think it was just once, against la merda!

Of course he doesn't. And I'm with Silvio in that. For me, every big team should play with 2 fowards every match.

I actually prefer one striker. And 2 wing forwards.

IF we where to go with the xmas tree formation, then from what Carlo said I think this would be the line up

Cafu--Simic--Maldini--Favalli
----Brocchi---Pirlo--Janku----
------Gourcuff--Seedorf------
-----------Gilardino------------

As for the xmas tree. I am a definate fan of it. I personally think that we played our best football with this formation during our CL and Scudetto winning seasons.

well i think Gila plays more comfortabaly alone.. i hope to see this formation tomorrow and see how it goes..

I wish for Gila to play solo.


why?? is it a big team quality or something??

We all know that Gila plays better as the lone striker. But the problem is we don't have Kaka behind him, so we will need that bit more extra creativity in the attack, I think playing the 4-3-1-2 formation with Oli next to Gila and Seedorf in the middle would be the smartest option.

the problem is that berlu doesn't like the onestrikerthing...
so get it out of your heads boys

1h and 50min to go.

I don't know if this was posted yet but these where the players called up for the match



Let's grab all 3 points and start 07 on the right track

FORZA MILAN!!!!

_________Kalac
Cafu_Bonera_Maldini_Favalli
____Broc___Pirlo__Janku
__________Turtle
______Gila______Pippo

Official lineup.

...

10 minutes before kick-off

Pippo and Gila together upfront without Kaka, God please help us!!!!

Is gourcuff starting???

It's started.

No.

The commentater on the AC Milan.com live radio said he was starting

EDIT - Sorry misunderstood him, now he is saying that Janku started in mid