Palermo will be playing Inter, so this will give us a chance to leapfrog them into 4th if we win.

Han the game is in 7 days hehe u could have waited u know

I don't think Palermo is a problem anymore, they're only up 1 point with a game in hand and hasn't won in their last 9 games. I'm starting to worry about Fiorentina though, they're only 6 points back of Milan and we still have to play them once.

Yeah, I know. But I can't wait for this one since this will most likely be the one that get's us into 4th.


Fiorentina still havee Inter, Roma and Lazio to play. So they will lose points. Plus the game against them is at home and we've already played them away and got a point out of it when we were playing far worse then we are now.

I think we can win it

Well that's partly true except Fiorentina has already played Inter and Roma twice.

Yeah you're right. Sry about the typo. But they still have us and Lazio to play.

Plus they've droped a lot of points laitley, with does 3 consecutive draws, so I think they will drop more.

I think we can win against them in the San Siro.

I agree with han, seeing as there are only 7 more games till the season ends. PLUS there is a difference of 6 points between us (5th place to their 7th place) ... Fiorentina are definitely not considering a CL spot

7 games?? Anybody think we can get max points? We need to win at least 80% right, and remain unbeaten.....third place off limits?

is this one of those games where we score 5 goals, cause we haven't had any of them since last season

Maybe

and Ronaldo scoring all five?





























yeah ok that's too much.

Well why not

















Yeah, okay it is too much to ask

forget the second part, i like you attitude

I think we can win 7 and maybe draw the on against Fiorentina, even though I'm very confident we can win that one.



He has been scoring very regularly lately, especially considering that he has had 2 goals already disalloed only one of them was offside, but you can't fault his finishing on both goals, especially in the game against Empoli.

I think he will score again against Messina, Gila also. And one for Kaka, since he hasn't scored in Serie A since the game against Udinese I think

Kaka worries me... our last game he wasn't aiming to score even when he had chances, instead he passed around

Yeah that's what I though.

He really should shoot more, especially when there are openings

tomorrow he'll be a key player since we're only playing with one forward, hope he doesn't do this.

You mean the game against Empoli? It was clear to me that he saved some energy for Bayern.

well not only that game... lately in general.

Funny....some time back I would have welcomed it. When Kaka replaced Rui, as much as I liked Kaka's skill, I always felt he wasn't half the playmaker Rui was. He was more of a goal scoring mid. Now he's passing left and right, and we don't want it. One major wierd season.

Rui Costa is a play maker .. Kaka is an attack midfield, more like a forward than a midfielder; meanwhile Rui is a dedicated play maker as our beloved turtle is

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Seedorf and Rui...hahaha....well maybe the old Seedorf.

This season's Seedorf is a total piss-off. And to think he promised so much in the pre-season.

H edid promise so much .. Let's see if he can prove us wrong tomorrow

If he does....I'll never every say his butt is fat....

Maybe I might say he's got an enlarged posterior, but that's not the same thing is it....

You're obsession with Seedorf's bum is worrying...

Tell it to him like it is dst...

arivanjj is talking about some clear occasion when he could and maybe should have shot but he instead went for the risky through ball from close range the one that rarely goes through... there were some of those recently but we can't blame him for being a team player... we can maybe blame him for being a little bit too polite if we fell blame-happy. Considering the goals he scored in the CL group stage I think he should try some more shots.

He's a good player I think!


I'd rather see him on the bench... Bayern have a large one!

What are u implying ?? U and ur sick sick mind

Messina - Milan

Milan visit the Stadio San Filippo knowing that they must take all three points if they are to keep up in the race for Champions League football, but will have to negotiate a Messina side desperately battling to escape the drop.

The alarm bells are ringing in Messina. The Peloritani haven’t scored in three games and have slipped to second bottom with confidence at a low. The return of Bruno Giordano didn’t have the desired effect last weekend as the Giallorossi fell to a 1-0 defeat against high-flying Lazio – the Roman tactician has a lot to do and so little time to do it.

If the Sicilians are to fight their way out of trouble they will need to continue their solid home form. While they are winless on the road, Giordano’s side have triumphed five times on home soil and could possibly spring a surprise. Desperation can inspire struggling sides and the Messina fans will be praying their side find an extra gear or they will need another courtroom drama to remain a Serie A outfit.

Milan also know that one performance could be the difference between a successful campaign and bitter disappointment. Despite the eight-point Calciopoli handicap the Rossoneri could sneak into the Champions League spots and boosted their chances of doing so last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Empoli.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side leapfrogged the Tuscan minnows to move into fifth and are now just one point shy of the stuttering Palermo and the Holy Grail that is fourth place. With so little time remaining Milan must secure maximum points and hope that city rivals Inter can do them a favour and beat Palermo. If they do so Ancelotti’s men will suddenly be in the box seat.

Paolo Maldini was the unexpected goal hero when Milan squeezed past Messina at the San Siro in Week 13. Milan have won the last four meetings between the two sides but Messina fans will recall the 2-1 triumph at the San Siro back in September 2004. This encounter also sees the League’s most disciplined side take on Serie A’s bad boys. While Milan have recorded just three red cards and 51 bookings, the Biancoscudati have seen 13 dismissals and a staggering 94 cautions.

Giordano will be glad to welcome Ivorian stopper Marco Zoro back from suspension but cannot call upon the banned Vincent Candela or injured pair Angelo Rea and Mitsuo Ogasawara. Veteran Milanese hit man Arturo Di Napoli is struggling with a calf injury but cannot be ruled out.

Milan are finally nearing a full strength squad. Serginho remains sidelined and Cristian Brocchi is fighting flu, but they are the only probable absentees. Ricardo Oliveira is set to be banished to the bench leaving a Ronaldo and Alberto Gilardino partnership. Both men will be fresh having sat out the mid-week clash with Bayern Munich due to ineligibility and suspension respectively.

Man on fire: Ronaldo (Milan) – Il Fenomeno opened the scoring against Empoli last weekend and turned provider to set up Gilardino for the second. He has breathed new life into the Rossoneri front line since his arrival and Messina will struggle to contain him.

Last season: Messina 1-3 Milan

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

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

Messina (probable): Paoletti; Zoro, Iuliano, Lavecchia, Pestrin; D’Aversa, Masiello, Giallombardo; Alvarez, Floccari, Rigano’

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kaka’; Gilardino, Ronaldo

Tiring match, so that probable lineup seems likely. Maldini, Nesta, Seedorf deserve a rest. Gila + R9 will score some goals!


Just realized we have a midweek game against Ascoli on Wednesday. Also, the Cagilari game will probably be moved up to Saturday, meaning Milan plays 3 games in 6 days. Luckily Messina and Ascoli are at the bottom of the table, but we can't take any games for granted. We'll prob rest some regulars against Messina and Cagilari.

I personally would play this one for The next game

Cafu--Bonera--Nesta--Janku
Brocchi--Yoann--Ambro--Sergio
---------Ronaldo--Gila--------

I think this will be enough for Messina, resting key players and getting Sergio back in top form is essential for us in the game against Man U.

Looks good to me han but I doubt we're going to see that on Sunday.

Yeah me too but guys like Kaka, Pirlo and Rino need some rest. And Carlo now knows that we alomst have the CL spot secured, so I'm counting on him to rest some players since we have such a tight schedule in the next few weeks.

Besides, if we aren't doing well we have guys like Kaka who can come on and make a difference, even though I think that Gila or R9 are bound to score at some point and out defence have been looking good recently

Gourcuff MUST be used. It only makes sense. Kaka, Pirlo and Rino all need to get at least some rest. I have a feeling that Nesta won't start cause he gave 150% against Bayern and he is not that fit yet.

I think Ancelotti will go for:

------------------Dida-----------------------
--Oddo---Bonera--Kaladze---Jankulovski
------------------Pirlo-----------------------
--------Brocchi-------Gourcuff-------------
-----------------Kaka-----------------------
--------Ronaldo------Gilardino------------

Inter-Palermo on the same day. It's time for us to, definately and with a game in hand, enter the Champions League zone.

Forza Milan!

Messina - Milan -- Football Italia preview

Milan visit the Stadio San Filippo knowing that they must take all three points if they are to keep up in the race for Champions League football, but will have to negotiate a Messina side desperately battling to escape the drop.

The alarm bells are ringing in Messina. The Peloritani haven’t scored in three games and have slipped to second bottom with confidence at a low. The return of Bruno Giordano didn’t have the desired effect last weekend as the Giallorossi fell to a 1-0 defeat against high-flying Lazio – the Roman tactician has a lot to do and so little time to do it.

If the Sicilians are to fight their way out of trouble they will need to continue their solid home form. While they are winless on the road, Giordano’s side have triumphed five times on home soil and could possibly spring a surprise. Desperation can inspire struggling sides and the Messina fans will be praying their side find an extra gear or they will need another courtroom drama to remain a Serie A outfit.

Milan also know that one performance could be the difference between a successful campaign and bitter disappointment. Despite the eight-point Calciopoli handicap the Rossoneri could sneak into the Champions League spots and boosted their chances of doing so last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Empoli.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side leapfrogged the Tuscan minnows to move into fifth and are now just one point shy of the stuttering Palermo and the Holy Grail that is fourth place. With so little time remaining Milan must secure maximum points and hope that city rivals Inter can do them a favour and beat Palermo. If they do so Ancelotti’s men will suddenly be in the box seat.

Paolo Maldini was the unexpected goal hero when Milan squeezed past Messina at the San Siro in Week 13. Milan have won the last four meetings between the two sides but Messina fans will recall the 2-1 triumph at the San Siro back in September 2004. This encounter also sees the League’s most disciplined side take on Serie A’s bad boys. While Milan have recorded just three red cards and 51 bookings, the Biancoscudati have seen 13 dismissals and a staggering 94 cautions.

Giordano will be glad to welcome Ivorian stopper Marco Zoro back from suspension but cannot call upon the banned Vincent Candela or injured pair Angelo Rea and Mitsuo Ogasawara. Veteran Milanese hit man Arturo Di Napoli is struggling with a calf injury but cannot be ruled out.

Milan are finally nearing a full strength squad. Serginho remains sidelined and Cristian Brocchi is fighting flu, but they are the only probable absentees. Ricardo Oliveira is set to be banished to the bench leaving a Ronaldo and Alberto Gilardino partnership. Both men will be fresh having sat out the mid-week clash with Bayern Munich due to ineligibility and suspension respectively.

Man on fire: Ronaldo (Milan) - Il Fenomeno opened the scoring against Empoli last weekend and turned provider to set up Gilardino for the second. He has breathed new life into the Rossoneri front line since his arrival and Messina will struggle to contain him.

Last season: Messina 1-3 Milan

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

Messina (probable): Paoletti; Zoro, Iuliano, Lavecchia, Pestrin; D’Aversa, Masiello, Giallombardo; Alvarez, Floccari, Rigano’

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kaka’; Gilardino, Ronaldo

^I love how Channel 4 continues to refer to Empoli as "minnows" despite the fact they've been strong all season.

Yap, this is our chance to take the 4th spot. And it's about time IMO!

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

When: Sunday April 15, 15:00 (CET)

Where: Stadio San Filippo, Messina, Italy

Messina are once again facing relegation, after having narrowly escaped demotion last term. Their Serie A status for this season was not affirmed through their own merit, but due to the Calciopoli scandal and subsequent relegation of Juventus, which allowed Messina to stay up.

Such luck does not appear to be on the horizon this time around, however. They have been fingered as possible perpetrators for the second go-around of the Calciopoli investigations. Although, it is not yet clear if they did in fact have involvement in wrongdoings or in what amount it may have been. Nevertheless, this will not be a welcome distraction for a side on the brink of going down to Serie B by virtue of their poor play. That is, if they aren’t demoted even further when the Calciopoli verdict eventually comes down.

Milan, on the other hand, have been tabbed as victims in the second round of investigations, most notably in the scoreless draw which took place at Juventus’ Stadio Delle Alpi in December of 2004.

The match was embroiled in controversy, and Milan twice had valid penalty claims against Juventus waived off by the referee. The outcome of this match, according to many people, was the real difference in the final standings, as Juventus edged out Milan for the title that season.

On the playing side of things for Milan, the current encounter in Sicily represents a terrific opportunity to finally achieve their goal for this season—Champions League qualification. The Rossoneri are a single point behind Palermo for the fourth place in the table, which brings with it a chance for top European football next season.

Seeing as Palermo play top of the table Internazionale this weekend, Milan can feel good about their chances of moving above Palermo in the standings.

BACKGROUND

When Milan hosted Messina at the San Siro back in November, the deciding factor was ‘Il Capitano’ Paolo Maldini. In the 13th minute, Andrea Pirlo sent a free-kick into the box, and Maldini leapt above the crowd to head home the only goal of the game for a Milan win.

CURRENT FORM

Messina (19th place in Serie A, 24 points)

Last three results

3/18 Messina 0-3 Torino

4/1 Cagliari 2-0 Messina

4/7 Lazio 1-0 Messina



Milan (5th place in Serie A, 47 points)

Last three results

3/18 Milan 1-0 Atalanta

3/31 Roma 1-1 Milan

4/7 Milan 3-1 Empoli

TEAM NEWS

Messina must do without several players for this fixture. Mitsuo Ogasawara, Arturo Di Napoli and Angelo Rea are injured, and Vincent Candela is suspended after being sent off against Lazio last Saturday.

Milan will be missing Paolo Maldini, who must rest his knees after playing the full ninety minutes against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Several other first team players may also be rested in view of the busy end of season schedule.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Christian Riganò (Messina) – The club’s leading scorer this season, and only consistent threat in front of goal. He will be watched closely, but should still find space among the Milan defenders.

Ronaldo (Milan) – Scored one and assisted on another in the victory over Empoli last weekend. Since returning to the city of Milan, he has committed himself to regaining proper fitness, and this has been evident in his play.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Messina (4-3-3): Paoletti; Zoro, Iuliano, Lavecchia, Pestrin; D’Aversa, Masiello, Giallombardo; Alvarez, Floccari, Riganò

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kakà; Gilardino, Ronaldo

PREDICTION

Surely, Milan will obtain the points they should get, rather than to play down to their competition. Messina are staring the prospect of relegation directly in the face, and the outcome of this match will not do anything to alleviate their fears.

Messina 0-2 Milan

I hope Favali gets a start he was looking good at the Empoli game , and i really want Gourcuff to start he needs to have more time on the pitch espicially as we need to rest seedorf

We are in a delicate position. Key players need to be well rested prior to the Man United tie but we cannot afford to drop too many points in the league if we want to finish fourth.

Fiorentina are only six points back with a game against us still to come, plus they have a better goal difference than we do. Empoli and Palermo appear to be fading but can't be discounted. I'm still confident we will finish in fourth place, but we can't afford to take our foot of he pedal on the domestic front.

Our next run of games is Messina (away), Ascoli (away), Cagliari (home), Man U (away), Torino (away), Man U (home) and Fiorentina (home).....six games in three weeks. So Ancelotti will really need to balance his squad very carefully. Thankfully the whole squad is pretty much fit at the moment, after a bad season on the injury front.

Definately. I would especially like to see Kaka and Pirlo rested, at least for 1 of the games.

Playing a 4-4-2 like I suggested earlier will be enough against Messina imo, Ronaldo is as much a match winner as Kaka imo.

And if it doesn't work we can always put both players in after half time.


I think we have it secured, yes Fiorentina are really hot atm but I think we have enough to keep them at bay.

Also the fixtures favour us more then anything else, and if we win at home and the gap by then stays the same then we won't have to worry about them anymore.


Yeah, it will be tough, that's why rotating the squad in these easier games will be key.

What is also in favour of us is that Man U still have to fight for the title and FA Cup, where Chelsea are breathing on their necks in the league, but have a relatively easy path to the finals of the cup.

So they probably won't risk resting a lot of their players, especially since they don't have a lot of depth in their squad.

Official list of call-ups:

MESSINA-MILAN: I CONVOCATI ROSSONERI
14/04/2007
Sono 20 i convocati del Milan per domani:
PORTIERI: Dida, Kalac, Storari;
DIFENSORI: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Grimi, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo;
CENTROCAMPISTI: Ambrosini, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Serginho; ATTACCANTI: Gilardino, Ricardo Oliveira, Ronaldo.

Ancelotti said same defense and attack from the Empoli game... so slightly different midfield then?

We'll prob see this lineup, although maybe Pirlo or Gattuso will be rested.

------------------Dida--------------
Cafu---Bonera--Kaladze---Favalli
------------------Pirlo---------------
--------Gattuso-------Gourcuff-----
-----------------Kaka---------------
--------Ronaldo------Gilardino-----

I'd guess Ambro instead of Pirlo...and maybe Rico instead of Kaka later on.

Rui COsta??? I hope so cuz Ive only seen him play once if not none


**** Im going to punish myself for this *******

rui costa?!!
lol he's with benfica
i think rico as in brocchi
cause gattuso didnt get called

Gattuso got called up, Brocchi didnt (flu I think)

You aren't up to date He meant Ricardo Oliveira.

No matter what line up it will be, it's good enough to beat them. Kaka and Pirlo must rest.