Seria A: AC Milan v Fiorentina

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MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A Week 8 - 26 Oct 2014 (19.45 UK)
Milan - Fiorentina
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
Fiorentina
Milan

Milan’s impeccable form this season will be placed in jeopardy when they come up against a Fiorentina side eager to overthrow their Serie A rivals.

It’s been a highly entertaining campaign thus far from Pippo Inzaghi’s men, who come into Week 8 having suffered just one defeat from their opening seven matches.

The near perfect start, where goals have been going in at all angles on either end of the field for Milan, is alarmingly similar to the one Massimiliano Allegri rallied when he went on to the win the Scudetto.

Both Coaches were in their debut seasons on the bench at Milanello, and both have managed to take 14 points out of the seven fixtures played.

While Inzaghi will be hoping that his future won’t be dealt a similar fate of Allegri’s later years with the Diavoli, there is a noticeable positivity around himself and his players that has missing for some time.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, haven’t had the easiest run in the League so far, as they sit in 11th place on the Serie A log with just two wins and three draws under their belt.

The Viola’s biggest problem has come in the absenteeism of Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi, who are once again sidelined with injuries that have taken time to heal.

The German striker was meant to be back for this fixture at San Siro, but he suffered another set-back that has delayed his return to action further.

A win would do the Toscani good, as they are in desperate need to renew their confidence and team spirit.

Vincenzo Montella will undoubtedly be favouring his side’s chances, despite their recent run of late, after managing to claim a 2-0 win at the Meazza last season. And with the knowledge that Milan’s defence is the furthest thing from convincing this campaign, with just one clean sheet, a shock could be on the cards.

Keep an eye on: Keisuke Konda (Milan) - The Japanese international has been in flawless form this season for the Rossoneri. After arriving in January and struggling to get game time last term, Honda is now currently Milan’s best player with six League goals already. In last weekend’s game to Hellas Verona, Honda bagged a brace to help continue Milan’s impressive start to the season.

Form Guide: Milan (L D D W W) Fiorentina (W D D W L)

Last Season: Milan 0-2 Fiorentina

Stat Fact: Milan are currently sitting on 14 points after seven games this season, the same number Max Allegri started off with in his debut Scudetto-winning season at Milanello.

Milan (probable): Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Rami, De Sciglio; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Honda, Torres, El Shaarawy

Suspensions: None

Fiorentina (probable): Neto; Tomovic, Rodriguez, Savic, Alonso; Kurtic, Pizarro, Aquilani; Cuadrado, Fernandez, Babacar

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Samp - Roma 0-0
This is a good chance for us to leapfrog Samp and get to -2 to Roma.

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Abbiatti, Abate Alex Rami MDS, de Jong Muntari Poli, Honda Menez SES

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Abbiatti, Abate Alex Rami MDS, de Jong Muntari Poli, Honda Menez SES

i'm surprised to see no Torres. so far a sloppy game. but why no real striker?

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1-1 only another 2 points dropped, because:

a) inzaghi is hiding, plays 3 DMs all at the same time, is too late with his subs
b) abbiatti being asleep as ilicic shot
c) menez being a selfish cunt, not wanting to pass the ball to a free SES to score


+ to that

De sciglio is not even 10% of what Maldini was at his age. he has to get benched some time along with Muntari.

[drew]

i'm surprised to see no Torres. so far a sloppy game. but why no real striker?

Menez-Honda, SES has great movement and fluidity

[drew]

1-1 only another 2 points dropped, because:

a) inzaghi is hiding, plays 3 DMs all at the same time, is too late with his subs
b) abbiatti being asleep as ilicic shot
c) menez being a selfish cunt, not wanting to pass the ball to a free SES to score


+ to that

De sciglio is not even 10% of what Maldini was at his age. he has to get benched some time along with Muntari.

Inzaghi does as he is told mate. Muntari plays because he scores. The fact that he adds nothing else to the team is overlooked! he cant pass, is slow and doesnt create. But silvio sees his goal return and makes him play!

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This Milan is either attacking with 10 men, or defending with 10 men. We have no midfield! And if you dont have quality midfield you cant play good football. if we once had the likes of pirlo-seedorf-gattuso now we have to stick to de jong-muntari-poli, none of them cant pass the ball,hold possesion or create chances. our game philosophy is defend and pass the ball fast to menez or ses and lead the attack. this isnt AC Milan. Inzaghi has to change things, at least he can try Sapponara,van Ginkel, Bonaventura in the midfield along De Jong who is uncontestable for me now.
one more issue that pisses me off.. Pippo was a real nr 9, how come he sees a winger like Menez as a true nr 9!?! some one pls explain that to me.