Seria A: AC GALLIANI v Torino
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MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A Week 22 - 1 Feb 2014 (19.45 UK)
Milan - Torino
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
Torino
Milan
Milan’s resurgence under Clarence Seedorf will be put to the test against high-flying Torino at San Siro on Saturday evening.
Life under the Dutchman has so far been worth living for the Rossoneri. Two domestic wins and a narrow elimination to Udinese from the Coppa Italia has so far seen the team show promise.
The new revised formation of 4-2-3-1, which allows all of Milan’s best attacking options to showcase their talent, has so far worked wonders for the likes of Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini. The former has scored in every game Seedorf has led from the bench, while the latter has started to enjoy the taste of scoring after a long spell on the sidelines.
Furthermore, on another positive note, the Diavoli have also managed to unveil Michael Essien and Adel Taarabt as two further signings of the transfer window.
The Moroccan has agreed a loan deal from Queen’s Park Rangers, while the experienced Ghanaian was snapped on a free transfer after penning in an 18-month deal at the club.
“Essien and I have been friends for 12 years, we shared rooms on international duty. He’s a calm person and doesn’t talk a lot. We’ll help him to settle in and I’m sure that he’ll help us a lot,” said compatriot Sulley Muntari.
“We know we want to do well to move forward and win the next few games. Seedorf’s work is not easy, the important thing is that we do everything as a solid group. Things are going well and we want to stay on this road. We help each other a lot and always do things the best way we can.”
Torino on the other hand have parted ways with their star defender Danilo D’Ambrosio to Inter but are buoyant with their current form.
With only one defeat in their last five encounters, the Granata have been a potent force on the park and have happily enjoyed the free reign of scoring, finding the back of the net eight times in five fixtures.
Their impressive run, which has been continued by a 1-0 victory over Atalanta last Sunday, has seen them move up to sixth place on the standings and they are currently four points head of their next opposition.
Giampiero Ventura’s side can by no means be underestimated this campaign, and will be expected to give the flying Dutchman’s side a run for their money.
Keep An Eye On: Keisuke Honda (Milan) - The Japanese international has been a regular ever since his arrival at the club and seems to be adjusting to life in the 4-2-3-1 system nicely. Against Cagliari last Sunday he created endless havoc with Mario Balotelli - suspended for this clash - forcing Vlada Avramov to make several saves throughout the encounter. All that Honda is missing is a goal, but with his pacey runs, threatening attacks and fluid combination with Ricky Kaka and Robinho, he is bounce to break the net soon.
Form Guide: Milan (L W L W W) Torino (W L D W W)
Last Season: Milan 1-0 Torino
Stat Fact: The Granata have failed to defeat Milan or pick up a point in their last five encounter at San Siro, a run which stretches as far back as 1990-91.
Milan (Probable): Abbiati; Abate, Bonera, Rami, De Sciglio; Montolivo, De Jong; Honda, Kaka, Robinho, Pazzini
Torino (Probable): Padelli, Maksimovic, Glik, Moretti, Darmian ,Basha, Vives, Fernerud, Masiello, Cerci, Immobile
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Originally Posted by drew
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