Let's climb the table

I would give R9 a rest and go with Gila-Pato upfront, I'm really interested in seeing what they can do.

i don't care who starts... as long as Roni gets his share and i see a good match!

lol if only we played 3 - 4 - 3

Pato , Ronaldo and Gilardino up front

ok if Carlo is going to go with 2 forwards then that would mean Ambro will be benched ?

aaah i feel soo safe now i dont care who starts up front caz who ever it is i think they could score ronaldo-gila good pato-gila i think it would work out pato-ronaldo the best i feel safe

Ancelotti loves Ambrosini too much to bench him. He thinks he was one of the key factors in winning the CL last year.

you're not suggesting he will bench Pirlo, Gattuso or Seedorf... i think he will be benched just like last year when Roni was fit

Dont be suprised if Carlo fields only Gila upfront.

R99 needs rest and will probably be benched, while also Pato needs rest since he's too young to play every 3 days.

Even though I still believe that Gila-Pato will start.



Ambro is one of the 7 players that have played the most this season (acmilan.com - Minute by minue statistics)

And, wouldn't be a tragedy if he is benched (even for a longer period )

Hopefully he won't go back to the xams tree with Gila alone upfront. I'm sure Carlo has seen the error of his ways, since evey game we've started with 2 strikers we've won this season. And when we play with 2 strikers and 2 defensive mids we still struggle to score. I think thats indicator enough of which way Carlo should go with his formation

Oddo--Nesta--Kala--Favalli
--Gattuso--Pirlo--Seedorf--
------------Kaka-------------
---------Pato--Gila----------

I, too, would like to see Pato-Gila upfront for this one. Ronaldo MUST be rested...

why is everyone saying Ronaldo needs a rest?
He's been the most dangerous striker for us the past two games..so why would we wanna bench him?

Yep, and I really want to see how Gila and Pato play together


Because Ronaldo can't handle 3 games in the span of 8 days. If we try to play him that much chances are he won't last a month without getting a serious injury.

Be he gatto keep playing if he's supposed to get in shape and be fit..And we both know when he's fit he's the most dangerously striker in the world..

Me too

Pa-Ka-Gi - Fan

And Pirlo will play, too. So I hope it will be a more exciting game than the one yesterday!!

Favalli again? I don't think that would be wise.


He has only had 10 days of normal training before starting to play... he needs a rest cause his fitness levels are still low.

When does janku get back?

0-3. Gila, Kaka' & Seedorf.

The 3 points are all that really matters, but I'd like a good performance to go with it this time.

Well neither Janku or Sergio are fit and I don't think Paolo will play in this one.

So it's either Bonera (who would be put in an even bigger disadvantage if played there) or Favalli

Any news on Janku btw?

Janku, Maldini, and Pippo all practiced in the gym today. And I think that Carletto said something post-Udinese about Janku perhaps being back for the Sunday game, not for the mid-week game.

Just that he worked out in the gym at Milanello yesterday with Maldini and Pippo. No word on whether he'll play on Wednesday.

Thank god, i can't wait for him to return. He is vital for our team.

Forget what Carlo says... before Napoli game he said Janku will be back for Udinese... and now he's not gonna even make Atalanta game. what's the point in not telling the truth... I've no idea!

We have problems in LB and we don't even consider an alternative... that's amazing how relaxed our management are

Galliani: "Wait man, dont hurry..... we have the 5 best LB's in the world (Paolo, Janku, Sergio, Favalli, and Kaladze) from which only one (Kaladze is busy in DC) can play right now. Then we'll also have Grimi next season who is a very promising LB () , and in emergency situations we can field Bonera in that position too"

Finally, the management is thinking about young players, i hope this is not just talk...

you want to know how realistic it was? :






...

i hope your being sarcastic ... cause redbabies certainly was!

Carletto held his pregame press conference (see acmilan.com's italian page). He indicated the following were possibilities as to Milan's lineup:

* Kalac in goal (Dida possibly returning Sunday)
* A problem on the left side of defense with neither Janku nor Serginho available and Maldini not fully over the flu.
* Ronie may be rested
* Either Seedorf or Ambrosini will probably be rested
* The formation will be a 4-3-1-2 (specifically, he said he'd play with a trequartista and two strikers).

Then it'll be Pato-Gila. that's great!

Then it will probably be

(from acmilan.com's italian page)
Here are the call ups for the game:

MILANELLO - Sono 20 i convocati rossoneri per Atalanta-Milan:

PORTIERI: Kalac, Fiori, Offredi;
DIFENSORI: Bonera, Digao, Favalli, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Simic;
CENTROCAMPISTI: Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf;
ATTACCANTI: Gilardino, Kakà, Pato, Ronaldo.

No Ambro or Maldini.

This is Gilardinos chance too show that he is a contender for a starting shirt.

I really hope he takes this chance and scores. I have said that Gila plays well when he has a partner and always seems too score, this is the time too prove that.

Forza Milan & Gilardino

Carlo has said Pato and Ronaldo are not in top shape and might not play [especially Ronaldo who's obviously having more difficulties with his fitness].

He has said we will play 4-3-3 (or 4-3-1-2) but that's Carlo... can't trust in what he says. I won't be surprised if he fielded Gila as a lone striker again.

Why do you say that? You said it before about what he said on Jankulovski's condition but it's really not his fault if the medical stuff give him wrong dates...

Whatever formation, Milan has the quality to win... this is an away match afterall

Janku's condition is medical staff's business. you're right. but our playing system is decided by no one than Carlo himself we have four strikers available for this trip. it's now up to Carlo in what formation we're gonna play, 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1...

What I'm saying is that Ancelotti never hides anything... Milan's weapon is not unpredictability anyway... if he said he'll play with a trequartista and two forwards then that's what he's going to do unless any problem occurs with one of those players.

Is this game going to be televised?since it's behind closed doors

The game's being shown live on the Fox Soccer Channel in the US. I think that there's a streaming link to the FSC feed (?) for games.

Bet 365 is showing it to live stream

"Tomorrow? We will play with three strikes, or two strikers and a playmaker."

"Pato? I'm not sure if he will play"

"Ronaldo and Pato are not in top shape, it's more probable that Ronaldo will rest, who is 31 years old and is coming off six months of inactivity, compared to Pato."

What will it be then, Carlo?...

Even though you understand it will probably be Pato-Gila, but still there's a certain amount of equivocation in his words! our management's press conferences are more or less always like that, especially Galliani's!

This is clearly bad translation...

^^

Ah, maybe...

For Ancelotti it is probably that. Galliani speaks with riddles you are right about this.

Sky Sport Italia 1 is showing it

I'll be watching this on Bet365 - thanks for the heads up!

Yep, download TVU and click here myp2p and select the FSC link

Serie A Preview: Atalanta - Milan

What: Italian Serie A
Who: Atalanta (22 pts. 11th) vs. AC Milan (24 pts., 9th)
When: Wednesday January 23, 20:30 (CET)
Where: Stadio Azzurri D’Italia, Bergamo


This rescheduled fixture gives both of these clubs a chance to make up points on their rivals in the standings.

Bad Memories

This match is the reschedule of a postponed fixture from the day on which a Lazio supporter tragically perished back in early November. Although the players had already taken the field and the match having started, it was stopped by the referee due to the protesting of the crowd.

Fans across Italy were extremely upset after hearing of the accidental shooting of Lazio supporter Gabriele Sandri, and the supporters in Bergamo forced the stoppage of play in this fixture after less than ten minutes.

The serious nature of the supporters’ intentions, if play were to continue, was clearly evidenced by the considerable damage to the barriers that separated the stands from the pitch. After Atalanta striker Cristiano Doni’s attempt to calm down the crowd was unsuccessful, the referee had no choice but to stop the match.

Moving on to the playing aspect of this fixture, Atalanta are a different side, at least according to the Serie A table, than they were when the original fixture took place. Back on November 11, the Oribici were in sixth place, on the back of a five-match unbeaten streak.

Currently, however, they have not won since December 2, having lost four of the five matches they have played since their 5-1 home victory against Napoli. This streak of poor results was blighted even further by their loss at the weekend, 2-1 away to Genoa. Following a goal from the penalty spot by Cristiano Doni with less than a half hour remaining, Genoa stormed back to win the match through Marco Borriello and then Luciano Figueroa. Atalanta were a bit unluckly, though, as they hit the goal frame on no less than three occasions.

Atalanta are also playing with heavy hearts, as club president Ivan Ruggeri is currently in hospital with a brain aneurism.

With the crowded schedule Milan now face in the coming weeks due to their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, they will need to draw on every member of their squad in order to get the full allotment of points on offer, which is almost necessary at this point to get up to fourth position in the standings by the end of the season.

Sitting ten points adrift of fourth-place Fiorentina, Milan have a lot of work to do. However, they have shown real improvement in the last two matches, largely to do with the addition of young Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato and the return to fitness of Ronaldo. These two strikers, combined with the world’s best player, Kakà, have formed one of the most fearsome trios in all of Europe, despite having only played together on two occasions.

Their first match, a 5-2 victory over Napoli, was one of the most entertaining games of the season. Pato was making his debut, and Ronaldo was just returning from his umpteenth injury spell. The first half of the match was pretty even, with Napoli twice pulling back a goal after Milan had taken the lead.

But the second half was all Milan’s. When Ronaldo scored his second goal of the match inside the first minute following the restart, it appeared as though the back and forth fireworks of the first stanza would be replicated. This was not to be, however. A brilliant strike from the top of the box by Kakà ten minutes onward secured the win for Milan, and young Pato got the debut goal he had predicted a handful of minutes later.

Milan’s next match, which took place this past Sunday, was a difficult away fixture to Udinese, who were in fourth place in the Serie A table at the time. Both sides had numerous opportunities to take the lead, with each goalkeeper (Zeljko Kalac of Milan and Samir Handanovic of Udinese, respectively) keeping his side in the match with acrobatic saves.

The only goal of the game came in second half stoppage time, through the much-criticized Alberto Gilardino, after he made a substitute appearance for Ronaldo in the 83rd minute. Pato possessed the ball, and then passed to Kakà, who set up Gilardino for the finish with a cheeky backheel.

With the matches now coming fast and furious, Milan must take advantage of their bench, and despite Gilardino constantly being linked with a move away to another club, he will be needed in the push for a top-four finish.

FORM GUIDE (last five fixtures)


Atalanta

12/9 Juventus 1-0 Atalanta Serie A

12/16 Atalanta 1-3 Palermo Serie A

12/23 Livorno 1-1 Atalanta Serie A

1/13 Atalanta 1-2 Roma Serie A

1/19 Genoa 2-1 Atalanta Serie A

Milan

12/20 Milan 1-2 Catania Coppa Italia

12/23 Inter 2-1 Milan Serie A

1/13 Milan 5-2 Napoli Serie A

1/16 Catania 1-1 Milan Coppa Italia

1/20 Udinese 0-1 Milan Serie A


TEAM NEWS

Atalanta will be up against it in this match, due to their numerous absences through injury. The injury list includes Costinha, Leonardo Talamonti, George Forsyth and Marino Defendi, while Antonio Langella and Claudio Rivalta are doubtful.

Milan will again put Zeljko Kalac between the sticks, with Nelson Dida still suffering from a knee injury. Other names missing from the list of called-up are Filippo Inzaghi, Massimo Ambrosini and Marcos Cafu. Paolo Maldini is out with the flu. Fortunately, Andrea Pirlo returns from a one-match suspension.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – He is undoubtedly Atalanta’s best player. Once rumored years ago to have almost joined Milan, he can show the Rossoneri why passing on him was a mistake.

Alberto Gilardino (Milan) – Ronaldo will most likely start on the bench, and ‘Gila’ could get the start alongside Pato. The pressure continues to mount on Gilardino to score consistently, and finally having a complimentary forward next to him in attack could do a lot for his game.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Atalanta (4-5-1): Coppola; Belleri, Bellini, Capelli, Carrozzieri; De Ascentis, Pinto, Guarente, Doni, Tissone; Floccari

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato, Gilardino

PREDICTION

With Kakà fielded behind a more traditional forward pairing of Pato and Gilardino, he could well play even better than he has recently. Atalanta will not have the defensive solidity necessary to keep out the Milan attack, especially with Andrea Pirlo returning to the squad.

Atalanta 0-2 Milan

Joel Whitehead

it looks like a derby 11th and 12th place in the league, whoao...