Serie A Preview: Catania-MilanBACKGROUNDCatania have not fared well since the disastrous violence in the Sicilian derby against Palermo back in February, which resulted in the abandonment of the match and ultimately the death of a police officer outside of the stadium. The Rossazzuri have attained a mere seven points from the thirteen matches since that fateful day.
While they have struggled to score, they have also shipped goals at an enormous rate (13 goals scored, 28 allowed). This places them dangerously close to the relegation zone, with just three points separating the Sicilians from third-from-bottom Ascoli.
Milan must be pleased with their positioning in the Serie A table, however. The initial stated-goal at the beginning of the season was for a top-four finish, thereby giving them Champions League football next season. And a top-four finish they shall have. With seven points in between the Rossoneri and fifth-place Empoli, they can feel quite assured of being able to participate in the competition for club football’s top prize next term.
But the 2007-08 edition of the Champions League is far from their minds at this point. In less than two weeks time, Milan will be seeking vindication for the monumental collapse against Liverpool of two seasons ago in Istanbul, Turkey (I need not remind you, do I? If so, goal.com has plenty of information regarding this past event). That loss has preyed on their minds ever since, and only victory over Liverpool this time around will give them a respite from the torment of that night.
The name of the game for the rest of the domestic campaign is to play well, but to also remain healthy ahead of the May 23 showdown in Athens, Greece. Therefore, not all of the first-choice players will be fielded in this match.
CURRENT FORMCatania (37 points, 12th place in Serie A)
Last three results
4/29 Udinese 0-1 Catania
5/2 Catania 3-3 Ascoli
5/6 Empoli 2-1 Catania
Milan (60 points, 3rd place in Serie A)
Last three results
4/21 Milan 3-1 Cagliari
4/28 Torino 0-1 Milan
5/6 Milan 0-0 Fiorentina
TEAM NEWSCatania do not have any major injury concerns. They may field a 4-3-3 formation, because winning this match would nearly guarantee safety from relegation.
Milan will rest several key players such as Paolo Maldini and possibly Gennaro Gattuso. Striker Ronaldo is out for the rest of the season with a thigh strain.
PLAYERS TO WATCHGionatha Spinesi (Catania) – He has been the only consistent scoring threat this season, and will be relied upon to do most of the work up front.
Clarence Seedorf (Milan) – As Kakà may not be risked in this match, the attacking onus would then fall on Seedorf. Given the manner in which he has performed recently, he should be up to the task.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI’sCatania (4-3-3): Pantanelli; Silvestri, Stovini, Cesar, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei, Caserta; Izco, Spinesi, Mascara
Milan (4-3-2-1): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Gourcuff, Seedorf; Oliveira PREDICTIONBoth sides will attack, of course, but with the chance of Kakà being rested by Milan and the lack of a true playmaker for Catania, the goals will not flow. Nevertheless, there should be real moments of brilliance and attacking flair, with the visitors giving the home side all they can handle.
Catania 1-2 Milan Joel Whitehead
goal.com