Catania - Milan

**artan** · 29th April 2009, 11:11

Catania - Milan

Stadio Massimino

Milan make one of the toughest away trips in the Serie A calendar not entirely sure of their objectives.

Ostensibly their brief is to hold on to second place ahead of the stuttering Juventus, who they lead by two points. However, a win in Sicily coupled with an Inter stumble at home to Lazio would leave the Rossoneri just four points behind their greatest rivals with four rounds left – and in with a chance of lifting their first Scudetto in five years, a scenario that seemed utterly inconceivable a matter of weeks ago.

Milan’s season to date has consisted of a succession of anti climaxes, but conversely this has allowed them to work away quietly and consistently in peace of late, resulting in a run of seven games unbeaten, winning six. With Kaka fit again and Pippo Inzaghi netting his annual flurry of late season goals, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are suddenly a very formidable outfit once more.

The problem is their remaining fixtures. Home matches against Juve and Roma, and away games at Udinese and Fiorentina, mean that whether they find themselves in contention for first or second place in the coming weeks, three points in Catania are essential.

With Inter legend Walter Zenga in opposition though, things will be far from simple at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. Having secured safety in Week 32, Zenga took the opportunity to blood youngsters in the 2-1 loss at Lecce last matchday, but is unlikely to do likewise with the prospect of a Rossoneri scalp at hand.

It has been a peculiar season of ups and downs for the Elefanti. Early flirtation with the European places ended due to their dire away form, although doing the double over local rivals Palermo and reaching safety with five rounds to play-having had to rely on last day deciders in the previous two seasons, means the campaign can be considered a moderate success.

Milan’s injury crisis shows no signs of abating, leaving them without Rino Gattuso, Marco Borriello, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Daniele Bonera, Christian Abbiati, Luca Antonini and Alexandre Pato, while Mathieu Flamini is suspended.

In contrast Catania miss only Giacomo Tedesco and Pablo Ledesma through injury, and youngster Fabio Sciacca through suspension after his impressive if over exuberant debut showing at Lecce ended in dismissal.

Keep an eye on: Kaka (Milan) – In his trim new hair cut and resplendent white boots, last Sunday against Palermo Kaka seemed like a reincarnation of the only slightly less extraordinary version of himself we have witnessed throughout this season. Winning penalties, converting them, forcing sendings off – altogether unplayable.

Last season: Catania 1-1 Milan

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

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Catania (probable): Kosicky; Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano; Carboni, Izco, Biagianti, Llama; Martinez, Mascara

Milan (probable): Dida; Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Pato; Kaka; Inzaghi

**Dario** · 29th April 2009, 13:09

I reckon it will be a draw... either 0-0 or 1-1

**jani** · 29th April 2009, 14:31

Hopefully Pato is back and scores. He has been on a rather dry spell lately.

**artan** · 29th April 2009, 16:34

Originally Posted by jani

Hopefully Pato is back and scores. He has been on a rather dry spell lately.

sooner or later he will do that again. he knows how to do that in the best way.

**Ian** · 29th April 2009, 17:46

It's no coincidence that we have regained some form since Ricky returned, just goes to prove how valuable he is to us.

Regarding the game I would like us to field Pippo and Pato for around 60 mins, then take Pippo off to rest him for Juve. The loss of Flamini will be huge as he has played excellently recently, whoever plays in his place wil have to raise their game.

**artan** · 30th April 2009, 11:55

this game is of great importance for us. Of all teams we have faced recentlty away, Catania is the most solid team. This game, IMO, will show the rate of progress we have done. we shouldnt forget that the week after we play Juventus.