[Scudetto 2003/2004] The Final! AC Milan - AS Roma (Serie A)

[Ian]

Originally posted by swissmilan
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I've read on acmilan.com that the game will be played on Sunday afternoon 15.00 as planned, they confirmed the time!

IL MILAN CONFERMA: MILAN-ROMA ALLE 15
26 aprile 2004 20:23

MILANO - L'A.C.Milan comunica, in quanto società ospitante, che è ufficiale e confermato l'orario d'inizio pomeridiano della partita di domenica. Milan-Roma si giocherà alle 15.

The game is back to sunday afternoon now as Milan objected to playing in the evening.
From channel 4
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Rules changed for Milan-Roma? Tuesday 27 April, 2004

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The Federation is considering a change of the refereeing rules so that Pierluigi Collina can be assigned to Sunday’s Scudetto decider.


The regulation currently states that an official can only oversee a club six times within a season, therefore ensuring impartiality.


Collina is widely considered to be the best referee in the world, but having already taken charge of six Roma games in the current campaign he is ineligible for the most important encounter of the entire Championship.


However, the FIGC and AIA (Italian Referee’s Association) are now working on a change to the rules so that Collina can wield the whistle in the San Siro showdown.


The decision will be made on Friday, but the only other options for this match are Gianluca Paparesta, Roberto Rosetti and Matteo Trefoloni.


Paparesta would be the least popular choice for Roma fans, as he was in charge during the controversial Milan games against Empoli and Chievo, while Rosetti disallowed a Giallorossi goal in the recent Rome derby.


It has also now been officially confirmed that the Milan-Roma match will go ahead as planned on Sunday afternoon, as the Rossoneri did not agree to a late kick-off.


Meanwhile, Juventus director general Luciano Moggi has come up with a new idea to stop the increasing complaints over refereeing errors.


“We need a television monitor for the fourth official,” claimed the transfer guru. “That way we can test out if there could be an improvement, especially in the more obvious errors.”
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I'd prefer Paparesta:mexican:

[yourmood]

Roma inspired by talisman Totti

Francesco Totti kept alive AS Roma's slim Serie A title hopes on Sunday by scoring twice in a 3-0 win against Empoli FC while leaders AC Milan were held by Udinese Calcio.

Crucial meeting
With Milan drawing 0-0 at the Friuli, where Jon Dahl Tomasson missed the best chance of the game late on, Roma moved to within six points of the leaders with three games remaining, the first of which is between the two sides at the San Siro next weekend. Carlo Ancelotti's men know victory against the capital club will secure the Scudetto - but the gap could be closed to three points if the visitors prevail.

Form team
Fabio Capello's side are certainly the form team, having brushed aside Empoli in Palermo, where they served the second of a two-match ban from the Stadio Olimpico. Totti's opener was followed by a 65th-minute goal from substitute John Carew, who was sent off three minutes later along with Empoli's Jorge Vargas. Totti ensured the game was remembered for its football, however, wrapping up the points with a sublime lob for his 20th goal of the season.

Lecce shock
Juventus FC look destined for third place after falling to a surprise home defeat by US Lecce. David Trezeguet put the hosts ahead within three minutes at the Delle Alpi but the visitors surged into a 4-1 lead, Daniel Franceschini and Ernesto Chevanton scoring either side of Cedric Konan's double. Enzo Maresca and Alessandro Del Piero reduced the deficit in the second half but Juve now sit seven points behind Roma and appear destined to play in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

Missed chance
In the race for the fourth Champions League spot, just one point separates FC Internazionale and S.S. Lazio, who drew 0-0 at the San Siro. Parma AC missed the chance to climb above the pair into fourth position by drawing 1-1 at relegation-threatened Reggina Calcio. Mark Bresciano gave the visitors an early lead but Stefano Torrisi struck early in the second half to frustrate Claudio Prandelli's team.

Baggio brilliance
Elsewhere, Roberto Baggio prepared for his Italy swansong this week with Brescia Calcio's goal in a 1-1 home draw with AC Perugia, while relegated Ancona Calcio lost 2-0 at home to AC Chievo Verona. The other games resulted in home wins, with Modena FC seeing off UC Sampdoria 1-0 and Bologna FC defeating AC Siena 3-1.


uefa.com

[yourmood]

Ancelotti: We Won't Play For A Draw

04/27/2004. Carlo Ancelotti wants to win the Scudetto in style and that would mean defeating second-placed Roma on Sunday to be mathematically certain of the league title.

The rossoneri coach declared today: "We know it will be difficult, but it will be more difficult for Roma. We want to win this match, to play at best, show that in this league we were the best. Surely we won't be playing for a draw."
SA Europe

soccerage.com

[Santi]

The draw benefits only Milan...hopefully the guys will come out more determined then ever. When Milan has had to win, we have...let's make it happen.

[yourmood]

we must win

[yourmood]

INZAGHI TO ACMILAN.COM: 'I'm sorry but...'

MILAN - Filippo Inzaghi was contacted by the Milan Channel immediately after the AC Milan announcement of his operation. The striker said: 'I'm sorry but it is the only feasible solution. Along with the Milan doctors, we have decided to operate as soon as possible, since there are still some important games to play for Milan and then, on the international spot, the European Championships. I want to make clear that at the moment my first and unique priority is to recover fully and of course, the sooner I can return to action the better it is for me. We have tried treatment, but the position of the callus revealed by the scan needed surgery. I'm really relieved that it was discovered what gave me pain.'

About the big clash against Roma on Sunday Pippo added: 'I'll certainly suffer. With and for my team-mates. I hope they give me the title as soon as possible, in this moment I'm waiting for it as the best gift.'

acmilan.com

[Filipez]

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti wants his team to wrap up the Scudetto by beating Roma on Sunday.

The two teams clash at the San Siro in a game that could either gift Milan their 17th title or blow the championship race wide open again.

Given the fact that Milan are six points clear with only nine to play for, there were suggestions that the Rossoneri would be content with a draw.

Yet Ancelotti insists that he wants his team to be crowned champions of Italy as soon as possible.

"We have a good gap between ourselves and Roma," said the former Juventus Coach. "But we are not playing for a draw.

"We have the chance to win the title in front of our fans by beating the only team that has been able to live with us this season. We want a win."

However, Roma are not going to make it easy for them as they have little to lose seeing as they are almost certain of finishing in second ahead of Juventus.

"We know that it won’t be an easy game but that will be the case for Roma too," added Ancelotti.

"We don’t only want to win but we want to demonstrate that we have been the best side in this season’s championship."

[GattusoKing]

I`m not renowned for my prognosticatory skills, but I dreamt that Milan won 2-0 against a timid, overawed Roma. Not that the scoreline bothers me or the manner in which we play, just as long as we can celebrate the title at the San Siro banana