(The family of the man who was killed don't want revenge; they have been quoted as saying that football games should be open to everyone, should be peaceful, etc).

Gazzetta has its probable formations for the weekend games up early.

Here's who they think will start for Milan:

Dida
Oddo Nesta Bonera Jankulovski
Brocchi Pirlo Ambrosini
Kaka Seedorf
Gilardino

link

This should be a piece of cake .. But I think Milan won't demolish newly-promoted Genoa; something like a 3-1 or 2-0 for us would be sweet

This should be a piece of cake .. But I think Milan won't demolish newly-promoted Genoa; something like a 3-1 or 2-0 for us would be sweet

It really really won't be. Teams like Genoa and Napoli will be fighting with all they got and will be hard to beat at home soil.

What makes you think that?

I remember last season how everyone kept saying 2:0 Gila with both goals and at the end of the day it was a Jankulovski to the rescue.

    so true!

Serie A Preview: Genoa - Milan

Who: Genoa vs. AC Milan
When: Sunday August 26, 2007, 15:00 (CET)
Where: Stadio Luigi Ferraris ‘Marassi’, Genoa, Italy

Memories of the past have already affected this match, and tempers may run hot, despite this being the first matchday of the season. 

Past Encounters

Milan make a short trip south to begin their season in strange circumstances.  However, no tickets have been released for sale to the Rossoneri supporters.  Undoubtedly, this decision has been affected by the awful day in 1995, when a Genoa supporter was stabbed prior to the match.  The victim of this crime died, and the horrific event was more than enough to cancel the match. 

The opinion on Milan’s supporters throughout Europe is one of respect, due to their usually calm demeanor when in close quarters with opposing fans.  The fateful occurrence in 1995 not withstanding, the Milan tifosi are not a group to be feared, and their singing and support would add an extra element to the atmosphere of the stadium. 

As Time Goes By

Things have certainly changed since that day in 1995.  Genoa were relegated after that season, and have spent the last twelve years playing outside of the Italian top flight.  Finally making it back into the Serie A must be a huge point of pride for the oldest club in Italy (formed in 1893).  They will be determined to regain their place as a Serie A regular, something they were able to stake claim to in the late 1980’s through the mid-1990’s.   

Milan, on the other hand, have been through several different spells of success (or the lack thereof) since 1995.  Following the great teams manager Fabio Capello put out on the field, Alberto Zaccheroni took over and won the Scudetto in his first season in charge in 1999.  A period of three seasons then passed in which no major trophies were won, and the side needed a makeover. 

In came Carlo Ancelotti in 2001, a former Milan player who had already done well as a manager with Parma and Juventus, after the dismissal of Fatih Terim.  ‘Carletto’ showed his ability to spot talent, and molded the side around a new group of midfielders, which ultimately paid off in winning the Champions League in the 2002/03 season.   

Since then, Milan have added a Serie A title to their trophy cabinet, as well as another European crown.   

FORM GUIDE


Genoa

8/9/07              Genoa 4-4 Torino        Club Friendly

8/15/07            Genoa 2-1 Grossoto    Copa Italia

8/18/07            Ascoli 3-2 Genoa        Copa Italia



Milan

8/3/07              Milan 0-0 PSV Eindhoven        Club Friendly

                        (scoreless after extra time; PSV win on penalties)

8/5/07              Lokomotive Moscow 3-3 Milan          Club Friendly

                        (3-3 after extra time; Milan win on penalties)

8/9/07              Real Betis 1-0 Milan    Club Friendly

8/17/07            Milan 2-0 Juventus      Trofeo Berlusconi


CURRENT FORM

Genoa have had a lively attack in the preseason run-up to the beginning of Serie A play, and having the two Copa Italia ties provided good competition ahead of the first official match against Milan.  The additions of Marco Di Vaio, Marco Borriello and N’Diaye Papa Waigo will give them an edge over some opposing defenses. 

Milan have looked very sluggish in the preseason, with goal-scoring being a major problem.  They cannot afford to begin last season in a scoring drought as they did last term, as the trio of Inter Milan, Roma and Juventus will all have more than enough firepower to light up the scoreboard. 

TEAM NEWS

Genoa will be able to give debuts to several new signings, among those Marco Borriello, who was sent packing by Milan at the end of last season after several seasons of lacking play and the doping ban he received last term. 

Milan will be missing several first-choice stars due to injury.  Captain Paolo Maldini is still recovering from off-season knee surgery, while Gennaro Gattuso picked up a knock in training with the Italian national side this week.  Striker Ronaldo also has a knee problem, and will miss out on the first few matches. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marco Di Vaio (Genoa) – Just a few seasons ago, he was well on the way toward stardom, but a lack of first team play at Juventus and subsequent moves to other clubs derailed him from that path.  While his youth is now long gone (he turned 31 years of age in July), he still has plenty of time to conjure up some magic to help Genoa stay in the top flight.

Kakà (Milan) – He is the main cog in the Milan machine, and without him, the Rossoneri are merely a shell of their glorious selves.  He will be the main focus of Genoa’s defensive efforts, but did that stop him against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool last season? 

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Genoa (4-3-3): Rubinho; Bega, De Rosa, Lucarelli, Konko; Milanetto, Paro, Fabiano; Di Vaio, Gasparetto, Papa Waigo

Milan (4-3-2-1): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Gilardino 

PREDICTION

Many people believe Milan will struggle in this match, mostly because they will be without the backing of their supporters, due to the ban on ticket sales to the Rossoneri.  Surely, the lack of red-and-black shirts in the stands will have a bit of influence, but the quality of Milan will come through, despite their struggles in the preseason.  Of course, the attacking additions Genoa made will put a lot of pressure on the Milan rearguard, but the lack of understanding among the new players will be their undoing. 

Genoa 1-2 Milan

Ancelotti Looking To Hit The Ground Running

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is aware of the increased competition in the Serie A, and has stressed on the need for the Rossoneri to start on a positive note.

"This season everyone has strengthened, which means we will see a more competitive, entertaining and uncertain campaign," said Ancelotti, speaking to the media on the eve of the clash against Genoa.

"The stadiums have also improved and the fans are flocking back to see their teams.

"It will be very important to get off to a good start, as the end of a season is very closely linked to the beginning. Last year we were unable to prepare properly."

He also warned of Genoa's credentials, the Serie A new boys keen to begin with a bang themselves.

"Genoa have good pace, especially upfront, and play a very attacking form of football; the biggest dangers will come from this," explained the Milan coach.

"Our objective, taking each game at a time, is to start well and get as many points as possible in the first half of the campaign."

Finally, he also spoke about Milan fans being kept out of the Sadio Ferraris following some signs of trouble. Certain sections of the home fans are keen to get even over an ugly incident that occurred twelve years ago, before Genoa last went down.

"Considering the signs coming out of Genoa, it was the right decision and one showing common sense," he said.

"Of course we hope such a thing will never be needed again, that we can live through every game in a relaxed atmosphere."

Squad

Dida, Kalac, Fiori;

Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Simic;

Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf;

Aubameyang, Gilardino, Kakà, Inzaghi.

Only 5 hours!

Got to start this season on a high, 3 points is a must!

   
FORZA MILAAAAAAAAAAAAAN