Milan - Lazio
No Time Like The Present
While the win over FC Zurich in the UEFA Cup on Thursday will relieve a small amount of pressure from manager Carlo Ancelotti’s shoulders, he is still very much under the gun. Not surprisingly, this, or any other match in the near future, could be his last in charge of the Rossoneri.
Yet another crisis meeting was held after the 2-0 away loss to Genoa last Sunday, and he reportedly kept his job just because of the sentiments certain members of the front house staff hold for him. With a disappointing loss to Lazio this weekend, however, those sentiments could be rendered meaningless and see Ancelotti packing his bags for another destination.
Although, it is not all gloom and doom for Ancelotti. His squad played quite well in midweek, defeating FC Zurich 3-1. The first goal was fortuitous, as Marek Jankulovski’s shot in first half stoppage time took a deflection on its way into the net, but the second and third were strikes of the highest quality.
In the 56th minute, Alexandre Pato sent an absolute rocket into the upper right hand corner of the net. Then, after having come on as a substitute, Marco Borriello put a low blast into the corner of the net from just outside the top of the box.
Don’t Fix It If It Isn’t Broken
For the Biancocelesti, the plan is quite simple― continue to play as you have been, with the goal of improving over time. Looking at what they currently have at their disposal and what is to come, that could very well be an attainable goal.
In their first two matches, Lazio were quite good, and one player in particular has sparkled. Mauro Zarate who is on loan after playing with Birmingham of the English Premier League last season, has been the revelation of the season so far in Italy. He almost singlehandedly saved Birmingham from relegation last spring with his goals, and he has brought that goal-scoring touch with him to the peninsula.
After surprising many with his two well-taken goals in the first match, a 4-1 away victory against Cagliari, he then confidently converted a penalty versus Sampdoria to secure the 2-0 home win last Sunday.
Looking forward to future matches, the return of club captain Tommaso Rocchi will just add another dimension to the attack. He, like Zarate and Goran Pandev, can play both provider and striker very well. With Ousmane Dabo also on course to return soon, Lazio must be feeling quite confident in what they can achieve in the coming season.
Milan
24/08 (Friendly): Sporting Gijon 2-0 Milan
31/08 (Serie A): Milan1-2 Bologna
10/09 (Friendly): Lugano 2-0 Milan
14/09 (Serie A): Genoa 2-0 Milan
18/09 (UEFA Cup): Milan 3-1 Zurich
Lazio
20/08 (Friendly): Lazio 5-1 Fidene
23/08 (Coppa Italia): Lazio 5-1 Benevento
28/08 (Friendly): Lazio 7-0 Zagarolo
31/08 (Serie A): Cagliari 1-4
14/09 (Serie A): Lazio 2-0 Sampdoria
Milan
The big news this week for Milan was the injury suffered by Andrea Pirlo in training. After initial reports said he could miss up to a month with the muscular tear he sustained to his right thigh, further exams have shown the injury to be more serious, and he is now expected to miss anywhere from six to eight weeks.
Alessandro Nesta still has not recovered from his back problems, and will not be able to play against Lazio, the club where he grew up. Filippo Inzaghi is not ready to go, but it seems possible that Gennaro Gattuso will be able to take part, having recovered well enough from the freak dislocation he suffered in his hand while on international duty two weeks ago.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Ambrosini, Flamini, Seedorf; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Borriello
Lazio
Lazio too will be without several key members of their squad. Ousmane Dabo and Tommaso Rocchi (who was injured during the Olympics with the Italian squad) are certain to miss out. Fabio Firmani, Simone Del Nero and Matuzalem also look unlikely to take part. However, Mourad Meghni has recovered from the injury he sustained versus Benevento in the Coppa Italia a month ago, and could play from the start.
Possible Formation (4-4-2): Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozehnal, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Meghni, Mauri; Zarate, Pandev
Over 2.5 or x2
While the win over FC Zurich in the UEFA Cup on Thursday will relieve a small amount of pressure from manager Carlo Ancelotti’s shoulders, he is still very much under the gun. Not surprisingly, this, or any other match in the near future, could be his last in charge of the Rossoneri.
Yet another crisis meeting was held after the 2-0 away loss to Genoa last Sunday, and he reportedly kept his job just because of the sentiments certain members of the front house staff hold for him. With a disappointing loss to Lazio this weekend, however, those sentiments could be rendered meaningless and see Ancelotti packing his bags for another destination.
Although, it is not all gloom and doom for Ancelotti. His squad played quite well in midweek, defeating FC Zurich 3-1. The first goal was fortuitous, as Marek Jankulovski’s shot in first half stoppage time took a deflection on its way into the net, but the second and third were strikes of the highest quality.
In the 56th minute, Alexandre Pato sent an absolute rocket into the upper right hand corner of the net. Then, after having come on as a substitute, Marco Borriello put a low blast into the corner of the net from just outside the top of the box.
Don’t Fix It If It Isn’t Broken
For the Biancocelesti, the plan is quite simple― continue to play as you have been, with the goal of improving over time. Looking at what they currently have at their disposal and what is to come, that could very well be an attainable goal.
In their first two matches, Lazio were quite good, and one player in particular has sparkled. Mauro Zarate who is on loan after playing with Birmingham of the English Premier League last season, has been the revelation of the season so far in Italy. He almost singlehandedly saved Birmingham from relegation last spring with his goals, and he has brought that goal-scoring touch with him to the peninsula.
After surprising many with his two well-taken goals in the first match, a 4-1 away victory against Cagliari, he then confidently converted a penalty versus Sampdoria to secure the 2-0 home win last Sunday.
Looking forward to future matches, the return of club captain Tommaso Rocchi will just add another dimension to the attack. He, like Zarate and Goran Pandev, can play both provider and striker very well. With Ousmane Dabo also on course to return soon, Lazio must be feeling quite confident in what they can achieve in the coming season.
Milan
24/08 (Friendly): Sporting Gijon 2-0 Milan
31/08 (Serie A): Milan1-2 Bologna
10/09 (Friendly): Lugano 2-0 Milan
14/09 (Serie A): Genoa 2-0 Milan
18/09 (UEFA Cup): Milan 3-1 Zurich
Lazio
20/08 (Friendly): Lazio 5-1 Fidene
23/08 (Coppa Italia): Lazio 5-1 Benevento
28/08 (Friendly): Lazio 7-0 Zagarolo
31/08 (Serie A): Cagliari 1-4
14/09 (Serie A): Lazio 2-0 Sampdoria
Milan
The big news this week for Milan was the injury suffered by Andrea Pirlo in training. After initial reports said he could miss up to a month with the muscular tear he sustained to his right thigh, further exams have shown the injury to be more serious, and he is now expected to miss anywhere from six to eight weeks.
Alessandro Nesta still has not recovered from his back problems, and will not be able to play against Lazio, the club where he grew up. Filippo Inzaghi is not ready to go, but it seems possible that Gennaro Gattuso will be able to take part, having recovered well enough from the freak dislocation he suffered in his hand while on international duty two weeks ago.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Ambrosini, Flamini, Seedorf; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Borriello
Lazio
Lazio too will be without several key members of their squad. Ousmane Dabo and Tommaso Rocchi (who was injured during the Olympics with the Italian squad) are certain to miss out. Fabio Firmani, Simone Del Nero and Matuzalem also look unlikely to take part. However, Mourad Meghni has recovered from the injury he sustained versus Benevento in the Coppa Italia a month ago, and could play from the start.
Possible Formation (4-4-2): Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozehnal, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Meghni, Mauri; Zarate, Pandev
Over 2.5 or x2
posted by Midnight Sun @ 01:10,
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