SERIE A PREVIEW:ALEX FERGUSON and Carlo Ancelotti are just two of many top -level coaches who will paying close attention to tomorrow night's Milan derby, come top-of-the-table clash. Next month, of course, Manchester United play AC Milan and Chelsea meet Inter Milan in the second round of the Champions League.
For much of this season, the Serie A title contest has looked like a shoo-in for reigning champions Inter. Yet, tomorrow night’s game could theoretically throw the whole league race wide open again. Although Inter come into the game six points clear of second-placed AC Milan, their rivals have a game in hand.
AC Milan fans have been dreaming of a “one-two” that would put them joint top of the table with Inter – a win tomorrow night and then again in their rescheduled tie with Fiorentina.
Such dreams are not beyond the bounds of possibility, given the contrasting recent form of both teams. Since the Christmas break, AC Milan have been positively sparkling, especially in a 3-0 win against Juventus, whilst Inter have struggled, being held to a 2-2 draw by Bari last weekend. Just at the moment, AC Milan are clearly the more in-form team.
Both sides will be without important players. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, Rumanian defender Cristian Chivu, Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta and Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic are unavailable for Inter, whilst Milan will be without defender Gianluca Zambrotta and Brazilian striker Pato. Furthermore, AC Milan’s key central defender Alessandro Nesta is a major doubt.
With the World Cup finals in South Africa just five months away, other managers will be watching closely. Brazilian manager Dunga will want to see if reports of a Ronaldinho renaissance have been exaggerated, whilst England manager Fabio Capello will be keen to see David Beckham at work again in the big-time. Thus far, the new AC Milan attack of Ronaldinho on the left, Beckham on the right, and striker Marco Borriello in the middle has delivered the goods. Against Inter, however, this trio faces its toughest test of the season so far.
Inter coach José Mourinho is likely to take a pragmatic approach, playing just one man up front, Argentinian Diego Milito, and waiting for Milan to make the running. Mourinho does not need reminding that whilst Milan really have to win, his side will still be very much in command of Serie A with just a draw.
In Turin tonight there’s another important clash when fifth-placed Juventus entertain third-placed AS Roma. Roma coach Claudio Ranieri is likely to be especially motivated for this game. Last May, Juventus sacked him as coach, with two league game still to play, arguably because Juventus were in danger of not qualifying for the Champions League.
Tonight, the man who replaced him, Ciro Ferrara, goes into the game under pressure having been eliminated from the Champions League and lost seven out of nine games in the last month. A win for Roma tonight might just see Ranieri mark the end of the Juventus road for his successor.
PROBABLE TEAMS
INTER (4-2-3-1):Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso; Balotelli, Sjneider, Pandev; Milito.
MILAN: (4-3-3):Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Beckham, Borriello, Ronaldinho.
JUVENTUS (4-3-1-2):Buffon: Grygera, Chiellini, Cannavaro, Grosso; Sissoko, Marchisio, Candreva; Diego; Amauri, Del Piero.
ROMA (4-2-3-1):Julio Sergio; Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Pizarro, De Rossi; Vucinic, Perrotta, Taddei; Toni.
