AS Roma - AC Milan
Starting Anew
For Roma, they must put 2008 behind them and try to begin 2009 on a positive note. Surely, winning over one of their chief rivals, Milan, would be a big first step.
While Roma have been absolutely terrible on their travels this season, losing six of their nine away fixtures, they have done well at home, winning five of seven matches played. They have given up twenty-three goals this term, but only seven of those have come at home.
The problem, however, is that they aren’t scoring as many goals as they have in past seasons. Having put up at least 70 in each of the last three seasons, they are on pace this term for less than 50. The main reason for that, certainly, is the absence of Francesco Totti, who has only made ten Serie A starts. Players like David Pizarro and Matteo Brighi can provide an attacking element, but neither of them can score goals like Totti does. Also, main striker Mirko Vucinic doesn’t score as many goals as you would expect from the first-choice attacker for a Champions League side
Not to Be Outdone…
Milan’s season hasn’t gone according to plan, either. Sitting nine points back of Serie A leaders Internazionale, many people believe they are already out of the title race. They shouldn’t lose hope, however, as there are still twenty-one matches remaining in the season, and the expectations for the squad in 2009 are even higher.
After winning their last match by an astonishing 5-1 score against Udinese, Milan have shown that they are still as strong as ever. With players returning to fitness and Kakà and Ronaldinho becoming accustomed to playing with each other, they can have a bit of realistic optimism for what they can do in the second part of the season.
It remains to be seen, however, if players such as Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi can make more of a contribution to the side. Shevchenko has yet to reacclimatize to life in Italian football, but it could simply be that sitting on the bench for two years at Chelsea FC has taken away some of his best days, and he is now on the decline.
As far as Inzaghi goes, he just has to stay fit. He can still contribute to the side, as his penalty box poacher style of play doesn’t require a lot of running or dropping into midfield.
Roma
Roma have a mostly fit squad, and no suspended players. However, their best player and captain, Francesco Totti, is injured for this match, just as he has been for most of the season. Also, Max Tonetto is out for this contest.
Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Cicinho are one caution away from a suspension.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Perrotta, De Rossi, Brighi; Pizarro, Aquilani; Vucinic
Milan
The winter break helped some of the Rossoneri get back to fitness; although, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Marco Borriello and Daniele Bonera are not fit.
Massimo Ambrosini and Gianluca Zambrotta return to the squad after being suspended for the final match of 2008, and Mathieu Flamini and Kakhaber Kaladze are facing suspension should they be cautioned in this match.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski; Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Pato
goal
My pick is Over 2.5. Both teams have great offensive power but they lack in defence.
For Roma, they must put 2008 behind them and try to begin 2009 on a positive note. Surely, winning over one of their chief rivals, Milan, would be a big first step.
While Roma have been absolutely terrible on their travels this season, losing six of their nine away fixtures, they have done well at home, winning five of seven matches played. They have given up twenty-three goals this term, but only seven of those have come at home.
The problem, however, is that they aren’t scoring as many goals as they have in past seasons. Having put up at least 70 in each of the last three seasons, they are on pace this term for less than 50. The main reason for that, certainly, is the absence of Francesco Totti, who has only made ten Serie A starts. Players like David Pizarro and Matteo Brighi can provide an attacking element, but neither of them can score goals like Totti does. Also, main striker Mirko Vucinic doesn’t score as many goals as you would expect from the first-choice attacker for a Champions League side
Not to Be Outdone…
Milan’s season hasn’t gone according to plan, either. Sitting nine points back of Serie A leaders Internazionale, many people believe they are already out of the title race. They shouldn’t lose hope, however, as there are still twenty-one matches remaining in the season, and the expectations for the squad in 2009 are even higher.
After winning their last match by an astonishing 5-1 score against Udinese, Milan have shown that they are still as strong as ever. With players returning to fitness and Kakà and Ronaldinho becoming accustomed to playing with each other, they can have a bit of realistic optimism for what they can do in the second part of the season.
It remains to be seen, however, if players such as Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi can make more of a contribution to the side. Shevchenko has yet to reacclimatize to life in Italian football, but it could simply be that sitting on the bench for two years at Chelsea FC has taken away some of his best days, and he is now on the decline.
As far as Inzaghi goes, he just has to stay fit. He can still contribute to the side, as his penalty box poacher style of play doesn’t require a lot of running or dropping into midfield.
Roma
Roma have a mostly fit squad, and no suspended players. However, their best player and captain, Francesco Totti, is injured for this match, just as he has been for most of the season. Also, Max Tonetto is out for this contest.
Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Cicinho are one caution away from a suspension.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Perrotta, De Rossi, Brighi; Pizarro, Aquilani; Vucinic
Milan
The winter break helped some of the Rossoneri get back to fitness; although, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Marco Borriello and Daniele Bonera are not fit.
Massimo Ambrosini and Gianluca Zambrotta return to the squad after being suspended for the final match of 2008, and Mathieu Flamini and Kakhaber Kaladze are facing suspension should they be cautioned in this match.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski; Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Pato
goal
My pick is Over 2.5. Both teams have great offensive power but they lack in defence.
posted by Midnight Sun @ 00:45,
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