Anyone think that Cafu will get in there at some point (possibly in midfield?) given his past history with Roma? Just a passing thought....

I hope not. Roma's pace would kill him.

Anyway... I doubt we'll get some points today. A win in the Olimpico would be massive, really important for the rest of the season.
But Roma... playing on their 4-5-1 that's more a 4-6 with a lot of quick guys... it's difficult. Specially for an old team like our.

Forza Milan!

Very true, they have been playing with it for some time now and one could claim that it is the best they have been playing for some time now. They beat Lyon and controlled the game by dominating and putting pressure on every space on the field. They play a collective game ..

But considering Milan wants to go far in the CL this season, Milan has to beat Roma not just for 3 points. But to actually prove to themselves that they can beat Roma and knowing that we might meet them in the semis is enough for Milan to turn it up a notch tomorrow.

Though we will be defending tomorrow .. Considering Nesta has just come back from injury, Milan will play two DMs and Favalli at left back would mean we wont have width. So Carlo is playing on few cards; Kaka and Ronaldo are certain but Carlo could also give them a dose of their own medicine with a trident upfront of Kaka, Seedorf and Ronaldo or with two strikers. In any case, have no doubt Roma will attack us and pressure us with their game. I think the 1st half is all theirs and we will play our part in the 2nd half .. Maybe I'm being too dramatic, but our defense is creaky and we cant afford to be caught on a counter attack. Unlike in the derby, when we were a bit relaxed with Maldini and Bonera, now it is Nesta and SIMIC (and there needs no explanation, especially since Nesta just came back and Simic, well, so and so ) ..

With all this in mind, I still think Milan will win, Ronaldo is in his best form since he joined us and he is a striker with the quality to actually shoot at the goal and score !!!

Forza Milan

Football Italia

Serie A Preview: Roma-Milan

Who: Roma (2nd Serie A, 58 points) Milan (5th Serie A, 43 points)
When: Saturday, 31st March, kick-off 20:30 local time (CET)
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy


Background

A tough match for both teams, coming at a crux before the Champions League big clashes, the quarter-finals looming in the background and on many a mind…

Saturday night’s game will be the fourth time Roma and Milan meet each other in the 2006-07 season.

The Giallorossi won two games out of three in the previous encounters, drawing the third match, as they knocked Milan out of Italian Cup and recorded a historical victory in the league at San Siro after nearly 20 years.

Curiously enough the two teams could encounter again in an all-Italian Champions League semi-final, if they manage to overcome tough opponents like Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

The looming CL matches could hamper the Giallorossi and the Rossoneri’s concentration for the Olímpico clash, even though the two coaches want the three points very badly.

Roma have to keep rampant Lazio at bay, at least maintaining their 9 points advantage, while Milan have to try to close the gap on Palermo in order to snatch a vital Champions League spot for next season.

The home side has won its last nine consecutive games at Olímpico. The Giallorossi have conceded only seven goals in all the 14 matches played on home turf.

Goalkeeper Doni and central defenders Chivu and Mexes are the backbone of the team – no wonder many top clubs are keeping a close eye on them.

Spalletti would be pleased to celebrate his 100th game on Roma bench with an important victory over Milan (maybe repeating last season 1-0 win), so he’ll rely on his nearly unbeatable defence to stop Kakà and Ronaldo’s raids.

Milan have lost only one game in the last four and a half months – even though that defeat was very costly, as it occurred in the Madonnina derby.

In the last match the Rossoneri played quite badly, especially in the second half, but still managed to get the three points.

In the Roma clash they need to be more effective, feeding their strikers a lot more than what happened in the last few games.

A big boost for Milan should be the long awaited Nesta comeback. The former Lazio skipper is finally ready to play again after the shoulder surgery and a long convalescence.

The good news is that, after some time with both players unavailable through injury, fans will get a nice chance to watch yet another Totti vs Nesta duel.

By the way, there is another former Lazio skipper looking for a great performance: Oddo. He would be delighted to repeat the last Roman derby result, when Lazio thrashed Roma 3-0.


FORM GUIDE


Roma

Fiorentina - Roma 0 - 0 18/03/2007 SERIE A
Roma - Udinese 3 - 1 11/03/2007 SERIE A
Lyon - Roma 0 - 2 06/03/2007 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Ascoli - Roma 1 - 1 03/03/2007 SERIE A
Chievo - Roma 2 - 2 28/02/2007 SERIE A
Roma - Reggina 3 - 0 25/02/2007 SERIE A

Milan

Milan - Atalanta 1 - 0 18/03/2007 SERIE A
Inter - Milan 2 - 1 11/03/2007 SERIE A
Milan - Celtic 1 - 0 07/03/2007 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Milan - Chievo 3 - 1 03/03/2007 SERIE A
Palermo - Milan 0 - 0 28/02/2007 SERIE A
Milan - Sampdoria 1 - 0 25/02/2007 SERIE A


TEAM NEWS

Roma

Aquilani and Martinez are still out. Chivu is back after the nose surgery he had three weeks ago after fracturing his beak.

Perrotta and Tonetto could be rested for the Champions League game against Manchester United.

Probable Formation: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti (Tonetto), Mancini, De Rossi, Pizarro, Taddei, Vucinic (Perrotta), Totti.

Milan

Ancelotti will do without Kaladze, Serginho and Ambrosini while Bonera has to serve a one match ban.

Borriello is available again, as his three months suspension for failing a drug test has just finished.

Probable Formation: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Simic, Jankuloski, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kakà, Oliveira, Ronaldo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mexes (Roma) – The French is establishing himself as one of Roma’s best players and possibly also as one of Europe’s most talented defenders. It would be really interesting to watch him performing against such a big star like Ronaldo.

Three years ago his very first season in the Eternal City was a bit of a nightmare, but now Mexes is highly appreciated by local fans and Italian pundits.

Will he stay at Roma or will he move to a bigger European club? In the next few weeks his agent should discuss a contract extension and a pay rise with the Giallorossi officials.

In the meantime he’ll be busy tackling Milan and Manchester United strikers.

Ronaldo (Milan) – The Fenômeno has got mixed feelings towards the Stadio Olímpico. He stated that he either scores or get seriously injured on that pitch, and he couldn’t be more correct.

Actually his most horrific injury ever came during an Italian Cup final first leg against Lazio in 2000.

Maybe the memory of many goals bagged at Roma & Lazio home just fades away, when he recalls another low of his career, the infamous May 5th 2002.

That was his last Serie A game for Inter and possibly the worst nightmare of Nerazzurri recent history, as they lost the match 4-2, wasting a massive chance to win the title as Juventus clinched the Scudetto that very day.

Ronaldo would be very happy to increase his goal tally – he has scored a couple at Siena and one in the last Milan derby. He might be slower compared to the past, but his technique is still unbelievable, so Roma defenders will have to watch out.

PREDICTION

Good performances by Brazilian stars Kakà and Ronaldo could halt Roma’s impressive streak of home wins. Milan may miss Bonera a lot, though, and the Rossoneri defence could not be so steady as it has been recently, as the former Parma player was really excellent in the last games. Could it be a draw, just before the midweek Champions League big matches? Spalletti and Ancelotti wouldn’t agree to sign up for a paltry point, though: three points are the prize as two old warhorses clash once again…

Roma 1-1 Milan

Fan v Fan: Roma-Milan

Big clash between two teams who are still in the Champions League and have therefore big ambitions for this season. However, this encounter will reinforce either side’s position into the top four and subsequent qualification to the Champions League, as a defeat for Milan might mean no Champions League next year. Goal.com spoke to Roma fan FABIO TUCCI and the Rossoneri’s ROBERTO RIVERA for their views ahead of Sunday's clash...



GOAL: First of all, how do you feel about your side's campaign so far? Have you been delighted or dismayed by it?

Fabio (Roma): I just can’t wait to play Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-finals! Generally speaking, I’m obviously very happy with the season so far. We are comfortably second in Serie A, we reached CL quarter finals and Italian Cup final, so we have many reasons to cheer about.

Roberto (Milan): We have been up and down pretty much all season. We begun horribly then went on a long unbeaten run, which ended in the second Milan derby against Inter.

I believe when all is said and done, this will be looked upon as a season to be forgotten, not only because of the Calciopoli scandal, but it has been one of much struggle.

We must finish in the top four, otherwise it is a disappointment. Because we are playing against the second place team, we can get points which are twice as important as usual. We must get a good result from this match, especially since they beat us back in November.

GOAL: Tactically, where do you think this match may be won or lost?

Fabio (Roma): We must stop Kakà, he’s the one who creates all the dangerous actions for Milan.

Roberto (Milan): This match will be won in attack. Roma have been scoring goals at a very impressive rate this season, and also have the stingiest defense in Serie A. Therefore, we must be at our absolute best.

GOAL: Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?

Fabio (Roma): As I’ve already said, Kakà, but we have to watch out for Ronaldo as well, especially because at Olimpico he always scores against Roma…

Roberto (Milan): Francesco Totti has been magnificent this season, and will definitely test the limits of our defense. He has scored so many goals, that it would be surprising if he didn’t score in this match.

GOAL: Would you want him in your team?

Fabio (Roma): Well, of course. Every team in the world would sign Kakà, not only Real Madrid!

Roberto (Milan): Oh, yes, I really would. He would link up incredibly well with Ronaldo and Kakà. That combination would most likely give us the best attack in all of Europe.

GOAL: Who from your team should we keep a particular eye on here?

Fabio (Roma): Totti, he’s really fired up as he wants to be Serie A top scorer. Maybe he wouldn’t mind a good warm up before the Wednesday game…

Roberto (Milan): Kakà has looked very good in the Brazil friendlies recently, and looks primed for a great finish to the season.

GOAL: What single thing irritates you most about them?

Fabio (Roma): Maybe I’m a bit jealous because they had far more chances than us to have great European trips, visiting important stadiums and all that. I hope we can catch up with that.

Roberto (Milan): The whining of Francesco Totti really gets on my nerves. He should know that he will be fouled constantly, as all top players are, but he just gets upset and often reacts, resulting in physical altercations. He should watch Kakà to see how a player of true class handles himself on the field.

GOAL: And what do you grudgingly admire?

Fabio (Roma): Not that much. Maybe they’ve got a better stadium than us. Well, at least at San Siro you can watch the game in a decent way, it’s not like Olimpico where you’re very far from the pitch because of the track we all hate in Rome!

Roberto (Milan): Their attacking verve is what I admire most. They have a squad full of skilled midfielders, several who would do well in the Milan system.

GOAL: Who is your all-time number one hate figure (or object of amusement) from their lot?

Fabio (Roma): I can’t stand their president Berlusconi and Pippo Inzaghi, as he’s always diving and cheating!

Roberto (Milan): The only one player I always liked watching for Roma was Damiano Tommassi. He had a confident aura about him without looking pompous, and he led by example.

GOAL: What’s the best of business ever done between the two clubs?

Fabio (Roma): I can’t remember any in the last two decades. Maybe Maldera back in the eighties. Panucci played for Milan, but we signed him from Monaco.

Roberto (Milan): I would have to say the best piece of business between the two clubs was our acquisition of Cafu in 2003. He has been a very good player for us, after many people thought his career was almost over. He still has several seasons in him of top football.

GOAL: What’s your fondest memory of past clashes against them?

Fabio (Roma): In 1998 we beat them 5-0. Enough said…

Roberto (Milan): I remember our victory at the Stadio Olimpico two seasons ago, when we had goals from Hernan Crespo and Andrea Pirlo to secure the valuable three points. It was a match in which we played a bit disjointed, but still came away with the win.

GOAL: What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your week?

Fabio (Roma): 2-1 to us. It will not affect my week, just like everybody in Rome I’m only thinking about the Champions League quarter finals first leg against Manchester United!

Roberto (Milan): I seriously do believe we can get a win in this match, as Kakà and Ronaldo, along with Ricardo Oliveira, and looking more and more comfortable playing with each other. I’ll say 2-1 in favor of Milan, which would make me very happy and relaxed in the short period before our Champions League encounter in midweek.

Stakes high for Roma and Milan

AC Milan visit AS Roma on Saturday night with European qualification very much on the minds of both UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists.

Last-eight ties
Having already met three times this term, Roma and Milan should be used to each other, yet they could easily end the campaign with six mutual engagements under their belts, provided they prevail in their UEFA Champions League ties against Manchester United FC and FC Bayern München respectively.

'Finish the job'
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti would be happy for that to happen: "Obviously I would like to play them in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, because that would mean we managed to beat Manchester United. My players have done a great job so far, now we have to finish well." Milan may be less excited by the prospect. In November, two goals from Francesco Totti consigned them to their first home defeat in 20 years against the club currently second in Serie A. The Rossoneri were also on the losing side, 5-3 on aggregate, in their Coppa Italia semi-final against the capital team.

Similar challenge
Four points behind fourth-placed US Città di Palermo - and UEFA Champions League qualification - with a game in hand, Milan cannot afford to drop points in the remaining rounds, although Spalletti, leading the Giallorossi for the 100th time this weekend, has a similar challenge ahead. Fully 18 points adrift of frontrunners FC Internazionale Milano, Roma may have conceded hope of the Scudetto, but they are eager to defend second spot from neighbours S.S. Lazio - not least to avoid the uncertainty of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

Roman memories
Back after four months out with a shoulder injury, Milan defender Alessandro Nesta will return to the Stadio Olimpico where he spent nine seasons with Lazio. Right-back Massimo Oddo also has reason to be excited having left Lazio for Milan in January. "This game has a special taste for me," he said. "During my five years with Lazio, Roma was the most important match of the season. Now we want the three points because we want to finish in top four."

Brazilian keepers
This fixture will also see two Brazilian goalkeepers, Dida and Doni, go head-to-head. "Dida has not had the luckiest of seasons but I still think he's a great keeper," said Roma's Doni. "Inter [with Júlio César], Roma and Milan all have Brazilians between the posts. That's great for us." It will be even better for Doni if his team go into Sunday morning with three points at the expense of Milan. However, home advantage notwithstanding, Spalletti is not feeling overconfident. "Milan are continuing to improve and I'm sure it will be a very difficult game for us," he warned.

Sorry double post see below

If I was the Roma coach, I'd note that our 2nd place is pretty safe. Perhaps we could draw or even lose without losing too much. Hence, save and rest a number of key players for the titanic clash with Man Utd. If I was Spalletti I would be out to try and win the CL, no matter how hard a task that seems. Sure, Man Utd stands in their way, but they have reigning champions Chelsea on their back and are still in the FA Cup. Secretly, they are eyeing an historic 2nd treble, but could it prove to be hands in too many baskets?

With such big guns out of the CL already, I would go all out to win this, given that there is not a hope in hell of snatching the league from Inter, or a real chance that we will be overtaken for our guarunteed CL spot. Hence, rest some decent players for CL.

Ancelotti. I would know, that yes, though big names are out of CL, we have been unconvincing so far, and that the main objective must be to get 4th or above in the league instead. Since we are 4 points, I think, off the 4th placed team, we cannot sit back, and must overturn the deficit. Otherwise, we can have little chance of attracting world-class talent to Milan for a full scale assualt next season, and, moreover, may risk losing some of our own big names, god forbid, because of the lack of CL football. Hence, this match must be won against Roma, and the team will just have to be a little tired for Bayern. If he is sober enough to realise our chances are minimal in the CL, he will be willing to make this sacrifice. Who knows, the team might even be able to win both (optimistic) but if Spaletti is thinking the way I would be thinking, a victory might just be possible over the weakened team that has had such a convincing edge over us all season.

(Sorry for length, its just part of being a lawyer that everything must be spelt out and justified )

this is acmilan.com's probable line-up:

----------------------------------Dida-----------------------------------


---Cafu-----------------Nesta------------Simic--------------Favalli---


--------------------------------Brocchi----------------------------------


--------Gourcuff--------------Pirlo-------------Seedorf-----------------


-----------------------------------Kaká----------------------------------


--------------------------------Ronaldo---------------------------------

what a crazy line-up!

though i have to say i'm looking forward to it cause Gourcuff is starting and Brocchi is not paired up with Rino!

plus i think it was the right move to rest Oddo for CL

Damn, I hoped I'd be wrong about this.

Ugh, that defense looks shaky. Hopefully Milan wins this somehow..

at least Oddo, Janku, Gattuso, and our strikers will be rested for Bayern =/

Plus Inzaghi is not on the bench but Borriello is...

Official lineups

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Cafu, Simic, Nesta, Favalli; Brocchi, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Ronaldo, Ricardo Oliveira.


Roma (4-2-3-1): Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Chivu, Panucci; De Rossi, Pizarro; Wilhelmsson, Taddei, Mancini; Totti.

Aaaarrrggghhh Cafu and favalli as full backs - we're surely asking for trouble!

And again, no Gourcuff

Good old carlo - I only hope my wish comes true in the summer

But at this moment in time surely three points are more vital than wednesdays game?
If we don't get fourth place then there's no CL next season!

Favalli , Simic, Cafu together and Nesta after an injury. If we won't concede a goal it will be a miracle.

I wish Rino and Bonera or Maldini where available for this one. Roma's fast paced mids will tear right through Cafu and Favalli

I might be/hope (I'm) wrong but I think Cafu and Favalli are going to have BIG problems tonight.

If we don't win this evening, we can always say "Thank you Carletto".

But, let's go! 3 imporant points! FORZA MILAN!

We won't be thanking him for too long!

On the left we have no other option, but I don't know why he's playing Cafu instead of Oddo Maybe he picked up a knock with the NT?

Anyway, Match is about to start

FORZA MILAN!!!!!

It's a possibility. Even if he gets the 4th place... that doesn't mean he'll stay. With some coaches like Lippi, Mourinho and some others available... we'll see.

I think he's resting for the CL match next Tuesday.

Roma goal. Nice

I reckon my wish will come true in the sumer and carlo will be gone - that will make me a very happy man indeed

OK. It seems that Roma just scored. 1-0. Mexes.

1-0 down - great start

I can do nothing but LAUGH!!!

From another set-piece

They scored before we even touched the ball

@han Rino is on the bench

Header from Simic was so close!!

roma are too good and we are too crap.

>_____________<


come on milan!! dont disappoint me!
I keep believing in a rossonero wonder!!!

Yes, but Carlo said he picked up a nock with Italy

We haven't even touched the ball

>.< we're not playing very good

lots of holes in that backline


omg and the mistakes >.< miskicks bad passes are flourishing kinda makes me cringe

SIMIC

What's new?

Welcome btw

Could we be more owned than this?

Think back top the first game against Inter....

I'll only change Nesta for Kaladze and we'll have the highway Milano.

Oliveira lacks creativity in front of goal.

This remind me of the 2nd Coppa Italia match, we had a backup defense in that game too... not good

ty = )

You are right... Wow, we finally have to accept that we are an inferior team... What a disgrace...

Dida saved our @ss again

We can't defend a set-piece to save our life

Another double chance for Roma after a corner and almost a second goal

OMG we are getting slaughtered out there

Glad I'm not watchin' it.

Well I knew we wouldn't win this so I'm not that p!ssed off