AC Milan vs Atalanta
Milan - Atalanta
Stadio Meazza
Milan are in dire need of a win, but face an Atalanta side also looking to erase memories of recent underachievement.
It will be a tense game for the Rossoneri following their UEFA Cup exit and their unexpected defeat at Marassi to Sampdoria. Milan are still in third position, but their rivals behind them are closing down the gap.
While President Silvio Berlusconi has underlined that the situation is not tragic, boss Carlo Ancelotti felt he had to defend himself. “I am not the scapegoat, because we are all responsible for this,” noted Ancelotti. “When some key players return from injury this will be a different team. This bad run will end at some point and we have to work to get out of it.”
Atalanta approach this game on the back of two consecutive defeats but hold a respectable position in the table being ninth with 36 points. Still Gigi Del Neri wasn’t happy with the way his team played against Chievo on Sunday.
“We were arrogant. Our League position is still relatively comfortable but that has probably gone against us,” said the boss. “All we need is to start working hard and get back on track. We deserved to lose and Chievo were better than us because when you are cocky in Serie A you end up being punished.”
Ancelotti is set to repeat last week’s tactical experiment, opting for a 4-4-2 formation rather than the usual 4-3-2-1. The Rossoneri are hoping to recover Massimo Ambrosini, Ronaldinho and Kaka in time for this clash but their presence is yet to be confirmed.
Emerson is in competition for a shirt with Mathieu Flamini while Giuseppe Favalli is suspended. Pippo Inzaghi will start up front alongside Alexandre Pato, but Andriy Shevchenko is also hoping to play a part.
Del Neri’s main concerns are all about Cristiano Doni, who picked up a muscular injury and will probably miss out. Sergio Floccari, Leonardo Talamonti and Tiberio Guarente are also not fit but should make the bench while Thomas Manfredini is banned.
The Bergamaschi were successful at San Siro last year but had to surrender at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia this term. Still their record against il Diavolo is impressive as they have won three out of the past five encounters.
Keep an eye on: David Beckham (Milan) –Beckham’s performances have been below par in the last few weeks but he will still start against Atalanta. His superb crossing will undoubtedly be inviting for Pato and Inzaghi.
Last season: Milan 1-2 Atalanta
Form guide: Milan (W D L W L) Atalanta (W W W L L)
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Milan (probable): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Bonera, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Flamini, Seedorf; Pato, Inzaghi
Atalanta (probable): Consigli; Garics, Talamonti, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Cigarini, De Ascentis, Padoin; Valdes, Floccari
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