Ac Milan vs Messina

[artan]

Milan - Messina

Stadio Meazza

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In this topsy-turvy season Messina will face Milan at the San Siro as equals – at the very least. Between the Calciopoli deductions and the Rossoneri’s disappointing start to the season they currently find themselves six points behind their Sicilian opponents going into this game.

Unfortunately for Milan, and in particular Alberto Gilardino, Ricardo Oliveira and Filippo Inzaghi, it has been their inability to hit the back of the net that has landed them in trouble and their Coach’s job in jeopardy. They have scored just once in their last four matches – and that was during the 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Roma.

Add to that the losses to Atalanta, AEK Athens in the Champions League and Inter in the all-important Derby della Madonnina, and the Diavoli have managed to earn just one point in five matches. While it is hardly championship form, under-pressure boss Carlo Ancelotti was quick to take the positives when they finally earned that point against Empoli last week.

However, on top of all his other worries Ancelotti also has an injury crisis to contend with. Massimo Ambrosini, Serginho, Kakha Kaladze, Gennaro Gattuso, Giuseppe Favalli and Alessandro Nesta will all miss out through their ailments, meaning the likes of Cristian Brocchi and Daniele Bonera should get another chance to prove their worth for the Rossoneri. There are also doubts over goalkeeper Nelson Dida, Marcos Cafu and Dario Simic after their Greek fitness issues in midweek.

Messina’s injury problems are much less severe with only Mathew Olorunleke out, but defender Marco Zanchi is still suspended after his red card against Torino. Veteran Mark Iuliano should continue in his place, but their 4-1 thrashing by Lazio last week showed that his presence is sorely missed at the back.

The Giallorossi have already seen their excellent start to the season begin to be erased in recent weeks. Their slight loss in form has made the difference between a win and a draw and as a result they now find themselves slipping down the table. A win over Milan at the San Siro would be a huge confidence boost whatever their form and they won’t be afraid to push forward with the Rossoneri’s poor recent strike record.

Man on fire: Christian Rigano (Messina) – With nine goals in 12 games Rigano is Serie A’s surprise top scorer. It may have taken him a while to prove he is up to the task of playing in the top flight, but he’s showing no signs of letting up just yet.

Last season: Milan 4-0 Messina

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



Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera , Costacurta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Oliveira, Gilardino

Messina (probable): Storari; Zoro, Iuliano, Rea, Parisi; Alvarez, De Vezze, Cordova, Coppola, Masiello; Rigano



prediction: 1-2

[Yasser]

Well I don't think we'll lose or draw here.. It's a home game against an easy team..

Yes Carlo could stun us with a new record but it would shock me the most if we don't manage a win against Messina who were just crushed by Lazio 4-1..

Surely we should perform but that's a dream that's on hold till our coach is kicked out..

Now the only possible negative outcome should we win is Galliani and Ancelotti talking like idiots and claiming we are back to the best form and to the top of Europe!! Again not adressing our problems and convcing themselves by lies and BS..

Anyway at the moment we are 1 win in the last 10 games and 5 losses in the last 7 games..

[Haroon]

Milan to score 2.5 goals.

i.e. 2 full goals and 1 semi-goal. :d Or it could be 1 full goal and 3 semi-goals. :P

[GattusoKing]

Five semi-goals at regular intervals would send the crowd home semi-happy, I'm semi-sure ;)

In all seriousness, the game will be determined, IMO, by Kalac's handling skills... or the complete lack of them. As we saw from the Brescia game, it doesn't take much to send him into a flummox, so we're going to have to achieve something we haven't managed in a fair while, and that's to create a heathy goal cushion for as and when he decides to pull off his look, no hands routine.

[drew]

Haroon, mate you take the pisss:D, but you fail to see the benefit, we can conceed 1 goal, and still win without scoring a goal, that is if we score 3 semi goals.....its a benefit.:D :D

[drew]

Five semi-goals at regular intervals would send the crowd home semi-happy, I'm semi-sure ;)

.

LOOOL

by the way guys im patenting this :D :D :D^^

[GattusoKing]

You want to get in there quick and email your patented idea to Blatter! And don't forget to get on his better side by supporting his nude women's football idea ;)

[drew]

im all for womens nude football mate :D , it best just be 5 a side or you wouldnt know where to look.

[bendalazzi]

I had a nightmare last night ... I dreamt we lost 3-1. Is that a premonition? Should I go bet on it?

[Qasá]

wht the hell is a semi goal?

[drew]

wht the hell is a semi goal?

:D :D :D

It swhat milannow use to win games, look at the AEK vs Milan thread dude, unfortunately you have me and Haroon to blame, that boy is such a bad influence on me:P

[castagnola21]

i really like this semi-goal thing. it really helped me to sleep last night! beer can only take you so far, but beer and semi-goals i think milan can win the CL now!

[Haroon]

wht the hell is a semi goal?

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov21r.html

Galliani:

“The difference between an upright and a goal is a couple of centimetres, so I consider all those posts we’ve hit with alarming regularity to be semi-goals and that reduces the deficit we can see,”


That is the definition of the newest concept in football. It's called a semi-goal and it apparently helps to reduce deficits. :d :d I still get a jolly good semi-laugh when I read this semi-bamboozling statement!! :P :P

[Haroon]

:D :D :D

It swhat milannow use to win games, look at the AEK vs Milan thread dude, unfortunately you have me and Haroon to blame, that boy is such a bad influence on me:P

Hey hey hey .. :d Don't semi-shoot the semi-messenger. :P Who knows ... semi-goals could be the semi-key to this semi-season. :d

[Santi]

Damm...we're going to get semi-relegated.:(

Kalac is going to get the start...unless Fiori can beat him out for the job...:holy:

[artan]

dont we have any primavera goalie there? ****t of kalac and fiori

[mchanna]

maybe I shouldn't watch the match lol
maybe we're winning then...

[GattusoKing]

Official line-ups;

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Bonera, Simic, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kakà; Gilardino, Inzaghi.

Messina (4-5-1): Storari; Zoro, Iuliano, Rea, Parisi; Lavecchia, De Vezze, Cordova, Coppola, Masiello; Riganò.


Forza Milan!!!!!!!

[Qasá]

V happy Gourcuff is starting :) i hope he repays the faith with an expert performance

[Ian]

Gila and Pippo again!!!!!!!8[

Where's Oli?

[Ian]

V happy Gourcuff is starting :) i hope he repays the faith with an expert performance

Only because Seedorf is injured.

[Walker]

Il Capitano!!!!!!!

[Walker]

Whats up with you guys? We vscored against Messina. Now Carlo and Galliani will say we are the BEST!!

[mchanna]

oh I'm watching and saw Maldini's goal *cries*
Yoann is doing excellent, Pirlo is looking good =)

[GattusoKing]

Very comfortable and it'd be even more so if the strikers weren't so terribly off form.

[mchanna]

messina is playing very dirty!!!

[Ian]

Sounds like Gourcuff is playing very well:) He needs to play more often IMO

[Ian]

Messina changing formation from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 - more space in midfield for us now hopefully.

[Ian]

Messina changing formation from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 - more space in midfield for us now hopefully.

Looks like it's suiting them better!8[

[GattusoKing]

Nesta for Bonera.

Rigano an inch away from equalising.

[GattusoKing]

Clarence for Inzaghi

[Ian]

Seedorf for Pippo - is carlo feeling alright?????:o :P

[Ian]

Kaka hits the crossbar - again!!!!!!!

[GattusoKing]

One semi-goal to Kaka!! :thumb:

[Yasser]

It was a foul anyway..

[Yasser]

Can anyone remind me when did our strikers last scored in a game we won? Our last wins goals were by Janku in 2 games, Kaladze once.. And now Maldini!

[Walker]

3 points is all that matters. But if I will have to listen to Carlo and Galliani saying we are the best becouse of that win I think I will throw up!

[GattusoKing]

Absolutely hideous performances from Gila and Pippo, especially the latter who's snatching at everything in sight.

[GattusoKing]

Can anyone remind me when did our strikers last scored in a game we won? Our last wins goals were by Janku in 2 games, Kaladze once.. And now Maldini!

Wouldn't that have been the opening fixture of the season against Lazio?

[ac_champs]

i'm in total shock!!! we actually won!!!!\

this will take time to really believe:D:D:!!
but seriuosly this is a good sign that we are back.. now we have to try and be like any other team in the serie D and try to make to consecutive wins and we'll be back for sure....

[Ian]

Serie A Week 13 - 25/11/06 (19.30 UK)
Milan 1-0 Messina
Maldini 13 (M)
Stadio Meazza

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Paolo Maldini grabbed the only goal of the game as Milan got back to winning ways against Messina. The Rossoneri captain headed home a 13th minute opportunity to breath new life into the club’s problematic campaign.

Milan went into the tie hungry for a win that would ease their mini crisis. The Rossoneri had only collected one point from their last four games and the pressure has been increasing on boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Yet the tactician’s job has been made spectacularly difficult by an injury crisis. Goalkeeper Dida was the latest casualty to be ruled out – for two months – in midweek, while Seedorf only started on the bench this evening after picking up a minor complaint in training. Gourcuff took his shirt on the left-hand side of midfield.

Messina, fresh from last week’s 4-1 home humbling to Lazio, fielded a 4-5-1 system which was designed to stifle the Rossoneri. Yet that didn’t really happen in the opening 45 minutes where the San Siro giants threatened and entertained.

Gilardino went close on 10 minutes after some fine footwork by Gourcuff who is confirming himself as a star for the future. The striker’s right foot shot beat the ‘keeper, but he failed to add to his solitary one Serie A goal so far this term.

Milan did take the lead soon after through their symbol. Pirlo floated a dangerous ball into the penalty area from a free-kick and Maldini jumped highest to head past Storari. It was a lead which they managed to hold on to until the break, even if they wasted numerous chances to increase it.

Bonera was getting forward dangerously and he assisted Gilardino and Gourcuff on separate occasions. The first cross saw Gila head wide, while the Frenchman forced a save from Storari. The latter also denied Kaka a chance at goal in minute 27 and a Pirlo long ranger.

Messina’s only real effort of the opening 45 unsurprisingly fell to Serie A top scorer Rigano. He underlined his heading ability, but he failed to get the necessary contact or direction to beat giant Australian custodian Kalac.

The second half started in the way the first ended – with Milan pushing for a second. Inzaghi and Gourcuff both saw early efforts sail over the bar, until SuperPippo asked Storari to expertly save his fine volleyed effort.

Milan’s lack of a killer instinct almost came back to haunt them in the 66th minute when Rigano’s header just skimmed past the post with Kalac beaten. Yet that was an all too rare Messina attack as the Rossoneri continued to have the better chances.

Storari was again superb to deny a Maldini header and a shot from substitute Seedorf, until the woodwork interfered with the Diavolo’s season again. After hitting 10 posts in 12 games already, the on-fire Kaka made it 11 with a sublime effort.

Floccari and Kaka exchanged efforts in the closing stages but they didn’t change the result of the tie. Milan, for tonight at least, are now just eight points away from fourth place and next season’s Champions League.



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Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Nesta 70), Simic, Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kaka, Inzaghi (Seedorf 72), Gilardino (Borriello 87)

Messina: Storari; Zoro, Iuliano, Rea, Parisi; Lavecchia (Alvarez 52), De Vezze, Cordova, Coppola (Floccari 64), Masiello; Rigano (Di Napoli 74)

Ref: Gava

Football Italia
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How long before a galliani statement that everything is and has been fine at milan?

[mchanna]

kalac: well doing okay, but almost let in a stupid goal.
pirlo: brilliantly in the 1st half, showing glimpse of wc form.
brocchi: good, but not excellent, but I saw him actively on pitch.
simic: good defense
maldini: what can I say... he is our TRUE CAPITANOAND A MILANISTI!!! very beautiful header, from a pirlo freekick
Jankulovski: good game from him
gila: some chances, some misses.... but doing better than last ga,me
kaka: what can I say. First half not so good, cause he looked very tired (because he pülayed nearly every game) but 2nd half he was fast and furious LOL. Unfortunately hitting the post, and the goalkeeper saved many shots from kaka!
gourcuff: very good player today! He should have scored, he would have deserved it.
inzaghi: rubbish!!! should have scored that per header, but no... some chances screwed up. just had to see his face, this scowling face.

[Gurre]

For once, Galliani actually has something good to say:

http://www.acmilan.com/Dettaglio.aspx?idAlbum=0&idTipo=4&id=5001

<i>'Gourcuff vero colpo di mercato'</i>

Gourcuff true find of the market.

He deserves the credit, not a spectacular start of his Milan career but an impressive.

[Yasser]

He never admits our problems.. Always find a way to talk about something else!

He mentions 1 player out of the 11.. And honestly, last time he mentioned Oliviera was great and bla he sucked.. He better let the young lad progress without a big fuss..

[jani]

If Leonardo discovered Ricardino, who discovered Gourcuff?

[Santi]

Well, finally we get a much needed win, the team overall didn't all that great...and for sure we shouldn't suffered that much to beat a weak team like Messina.

Like everyone else, I was very, very impressed with Gourcuff. The youngster was excellent...vision, technique, passing, and always supporting the attack...could be the partner Kaka is looking for to take some pressure of him, and maybe get Seedorf to wake up.

I thought Bonera had a decent game...another solid game from Brocchi...Kaka started slow, but came on during the 2nd half, he reall deserved to score, but Storari had the game of his life.

On the other hand...Pippo continues to go through a very rough spell. Kalac, what can I say, the guy doesn't provide a sense of security at all.


FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!

[jani]

I especially liked the 4-2-3-1 formation we used towards the end. I hope Carlo can see how effective it can be.

Gilardino

Gourcuff------Kaka

Seedorf

[fillipo]

Yesterday was not a bad game by us!

we had loads of chances but we also must admit that storari saved a couple very well!!

i specially regret kaka's semi goal what a nice effort!

Good win but we must realise that this was messina a hard team playing very physical but without much sneaky counter attacks. I fear kalac sure he is a great men but 3 months our first goallie? yesterday he slipped away costed us almost a goal!

I don't know, for sure this was a big relief for the guys but it proves nothing for once keep this up and start a winning streak with no end!

[artan]

well, it was only messina, remember last year we ate themwith 4:0.anyway,it was important to end this miserable run.
here are my ratings:

kalac 3 - wasnt tested that much during the game. i am still happy that we didnt concede a goal at the final stages of the game.
bonera 4.5 - i still havent changed my opinion about him.but he played a bit better than the other games he was fielded.
simic - 5 had a good game.
SAN PAOLO 7 - a true leader. took the responsibility when it was mostly needed.scored,and we won.Grazie Paolo!
Jankulowski 5.5 - was good today . some dangerous runs in the opposite half, at last he can cross well.
Pirlo 6- good but not enough. his passes worry me, as usual.
Gour. 6.5 - great game! together with kaka ---> futuro
Kaka 6.5 - same as gour.
Seedorf n/r ---> he should keep his mouth shut, and work to build a compact group.
gila & pippo 2.5 -- poor , very poor


carlo n/r he is no soccer coach for me!

[ac_champs]

does anyone have a link to the goal?

[Danny]

Yesterday was not a bad game by us!

we had loads of chances but we also must admit that storari saved a couple very well!!

i specially regret kaka's semi goal what a nice effort!

Good win but we must realise that this was messina a hard team playing very physical but without much sneaky counter attacks. I fear kalac sure he is a great men but 3 months our first goallie? yesterday he slipped away costed us almost a goal!

I don't know, for sure this was a big relief for the guys but it proves nothing for once keep this up and start a winning streak with no end!

Agreed - call me easily pleased but yesterday was the best we've played in ages. Ok, a few of our players were pathetic like Pirlo, Gila, and Pippo, but overall it was a rise above the usual dross we've been suffering, and we hit the woodwork as well.

However, I cannot believe we didn't get that penalty in the first half. That was a stonewaller, and if it happened outside the area it would be a foul. So why not a penalty in the area? Mind you, it was, I believe, the same ref who only booked Tudor when he barged him. No balls.

[Gurre]

Agreed - call me easily pleased but yesterday was the best we've played in ages. Ok, a few of our players were pathetic like Pirlo, Gila, and Pippo, but overall it was a rise above the usual dross we've been suffering, and we hit the woodwork as well.

However, I cannot believe we didn't get that penalty in the first half. That was a stonewaller, and if it happened outside the area it would be a foul. So why not a penalty in the area? Mind you, it was, I believe, the same ref who only booked Tudor when he barged him. No balls.

If you look at the rules, it should have been a penalty. If you look at the situation, Iuliano didn't deserve the booking because Inzaghi wasn't really fouled the second time. Even Inzaghi pulled Iuliano more than the other way around.

Bottom line: IMHO the referee did bad not to give the penalty, but also to book Iuliano in the first place.

Pirlo and Gilardino pathetic yesterday? You just made the comment of the week. Congrats.

[Danny]

If you look at the rules, it should have been a penalty. If you look at the situation, Iuliano didn't deserve the booking because Inzaghi wasn't really fouled the second time. Even Inzaghi pulled Iuliano more than the other way around.

Bottom line: IMHO the referee did bad not to give the penalty, but also to book Iuliano in the first place.

Pirlo and Gilardino pathetic yesterday? You just made the comment of the week. Congrats.

I don't follow your last comment. If it's sincere, cool. But I detect mild sarcasm. Is it in relation to you thinking I posted that message on the same night as the game? I didn't. I posted it the following afternoon my time.

Actually, re-reading it, I don't see how it's being sarcastic, and yet, my paranoia suggests otherwise.

[fillipo]

maybe danny you could describe why you think pirlo and gila were pathetic?

because i don't agree with that, pirlo didn't play that bad and gila atleast i saw him this game so he is working hard but luck isn't on his side, he really lacks confidence

[artan]

important we got the three pts. thats what counts!
next week we face a tough test in sardinia, so it was of big importance to end that bad run of 4 consecutive defeats and start winning again.

[Gurre]

maybe danny you could describe why you think pirlo and gila were pathetic?

because i don't agree with that, pirlo didn't play that bad and gila atleast i saw him this game so he is working hard but luck isn't on his side, he really lacks confidence

You got it right.

That yesterday-today-afternoon-sarcasm-no sarcasm or whatever I have no idea what <b>Danny</b> is refering to.

I was 100% sincere. Calling Pirlo's and Gilardino's performances against Messina pathetic <i>is</i> the comment of the week. In which category I think you can figure out yourself...