Milan-Juventus (48 Viewers)
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:excited::lick:
Serie A Preview: Milan-Juventus
5/7/2005 4:30:00 PM
Here we are, round 35 of the season, and for these two sides, all remains in the balance.
BACKGROUND
Not for awhile has a match been touted as much as this, as the runaway duo has played neck and neck for a large part of the season. When one side would have a rare slip, the other did the same soon thereafter. By and large, though, they maintained their composure, and put together impressive winning streaks to follow up the mistakes they made along the way.
Despite being level on points at the top, Milan are actually in true first place, ahead on goal differential by a mere lone strike. The recent form of the Rossoneri has not been too impressive. While they have won their last three contests, only one was by a comfortable score line, that being the 3-0 victory over Parma a fortnight ago. Also, the 3-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League semifinal second leg on Wednesday needed a late goal by Massimo Ambrosini to secure advancement in the competition, on the away goals rule with a 3-3 aggregate score(Milan had previously won 2-0 on their home ground the week before). However, buoyed by the upcoming trip to Istanbul for the Champions League final, Milan should have no problem pouring out their hearts and leaving it all on the pitch in the encounter versus Juve this Sunday. The defense will be the most important third of the formation for Milan, as rock-solid captain Paolo Maldini was kicked in the head during the first half against PSV, but he is expected to be fully fit in time for the opening whistle.
Juventus are so determined to come away from this fixture with a positive result, that a policy of silence in regard to speaking to the press was instituted this week. The Bianconeri have not had such fortunate European performances, although it was their own undoing. They allowed Liverpool to control much of the run of play in both legs. Amazingly, after having lost at Liverpool 2-1 in the first leg, they could not string together enough attacking play to seriously threaten the opposing net on more than just a few occasions. The second leg finished in a scoreless draw, and the side had not given the fans in the Stadio Delle Alpi much to cheer about. On the bright side, since the elimination from the Champions League, Juve have won three of four domestic matches, with the only blemish being the 1-0 loss at home versus Internazionale of Milan. Not only did they loss the three points in a potentially crucial match, but Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended for three matches after review of video evidence confirmed his hitting of Inter defender Ivan Cordoba. Possibly a bit harsh, but the members of the review committee were firm in their decision, and the ban was upheld. Juve returned to winning ways the following weekend, with a spirit-lifting 1-0 victory over Lazio in front of the raucous crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, and then defeating visiting Bologna 2-1 last Sunday. The absence of Ibrahimovic means that Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet will be in attack to try and revisit a partnership which took Serie A by storm just around the turn of the millennium.
TEAM NEWS
Milan have a fully fit squad, and should revert back to the usual 4-3-1-2 formation manager Carlo Ancelotti favors, after using a 4-3-2-1 setup against PSV in the midweek. Although Massimo Ambrosini performed admirably in that match, especially because he scored the crucial goal, he will most likely be relegated to the substitutes’ bench, with a chance of coming into the match later on.
Juventus will field a 4-4-2, but slightly modified. The midfield will probably be flat across, as will the defense, but it may be a 4-4-1-1 with Del Piero playing just behind Trezeguet. No major injury concerns for Juve, just the absence of Ibrahimovic through suspension.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
With his terrific ability to score on free-kicks, he will be instrumental to the Rossoneri in a match which will not see too many chances.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
‘Il Pinturicchio’ is getting older by the minute, but he still has some magic left in those boots, and when he plays a side like Milan, he usually comes up with some true grit and determination to go along with his tricky dribbling skills.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s
Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Stam, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Crespo
Juventus (4-4-1-1):
Buffon; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Appiah, Emerson, Nedved; Del Piero; Trezeguet
PREDICTION
For two clubs level on points at the top to meet this late in the campaign is rare, and mental focus for the full ninety minutes will be the key to this match. When they last met, it ended in a scoreless draw. While I do not expect that to be the outcome this time around, a draw is not out of the question, because we all know that defensive duties will be the main item to emphasize for the managers of the two respective squads. Several chances will be had by each side, but the overall strength and experience of the back fours will be enough to keep this title chase going until the end of the season.
Milan 1-1 Juventus
5/7/2005 4:30:00 PM
Here we are, round 35 of the season, and for these two sides, all remains in the balance.
BACKGROUND
Not for awhile has a match been touted as much as this, as the runaway duo has played neck and neck for a large part of the season. When one side would have a rare slip, the other did the same soon thereafter. By and large, though, they maintained their composure, and put together impressive winning streaks to follow up the mistakes they made along the way.
Despite being level on points at the top, Milan are actually in true first place, ahead on goal differential by a mere lone strike. The recent form of the Rossoneri has not been too impressive. While they have won their last three contests, only one was by a comfortable score line, that being the 3-0 victory over Parma a fortnight ago. Also, the 3-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League semifinal second leg on Wednesday needed a late goal by Massimo Ambrosini to secure advancement in the competition, on the away goals rule with a 3-3 aggregate score(Milan had previously won 2-0 on their home ground the week before). However, buoyed by the upcoming trip to Istanbul for the Champions League final, Milan should have no problem pouring out their hearts and leaving it all on the pitch in the encounter versus Juve this Sunday. The defense will be the most important third of the formation for Milan, as rock-solid captain Paolo Maldini was kicked in the head during the first half against PSV, but he is expected to be fully fit in time for the opening whistle.
Juventus are so determined to come away from this fixture with a positive result, that a policy of silence in regard to speaking to the press was instituted this week. The Bianconeri have not had such fortunate European performances, although it was their own undoing. They allowed Liverpool to control much of the run of play in both legs. Amazingly, after having lost at Liverpool 2-1 in the first leg, they could not string together enough attacking play to seriously threaten the opposing net on more than just a few occasions. The second leg finished in a scoreless draw, and the side had not given the fans in the Stadio Delle Alpi much to cheer about. On the bright side, since the elimination from the Champions League, Juve have won three of four domestic matches, with the only blemish being the 1-0 loss at home versus Internazionale of Milan. Not only did they loss the three points in a potentially crucial match, but Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended for three matches after review of video evidence confirmed his hitting of Inter defender Ivan Cordoba. Possibly a bit harsh, but the members of the review committee were firm in their decision, and the ban was upheld. Juve returned to winning ways the following weekend, with a spirit-lifting 1-0 victory over Lazio in front of the raucous crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, and then defeating visiting Bologna 2-1 last Sunday. The absence of Ibrahimovic means that Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet will be in attack to try and revisit a partnership which took Serie A by storm just around the turn of the millennium.
TEAM NEWS
Milan have a fully fit squad, and should revert back to the usual 4-3-1-2 formation manager Carlo Ancelotti favors, after using a 4-3-2-1 setup against PSV in the midweek. Although Massimo Ambrosini performed admirably in that match, especially because he scored the crucial goal, he will most likely be relegated to the substitutes’ bench, with a chance of coming into the match later on.
Juventus will field a 4-4-2, but slightly modified. The midfield will probably be flat across, as will the defense, but it may be a 4-4-1-1 with Del Piero playing just behind Trezeguet. No major injury concerns for Juve, just the absence of Ibrahimovic through suspension.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
With his terrific ability to score on free-kicks, he will be instrumental to the Rossoneri in a match which will not see too many chances.
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
‘Il Pinturicchio’ is getting older by the minute, but he still has some magic left in those boots, and when he plays a side like Milan, he usually comes up with some true grit and determination to go along with his tricky dribbling skills.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s
Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Stam, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Crespo
Juventus (4-4-1-1):
Buffon; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Appiah, Emerson, Nedved; Del Piero; Trezeguet
PREDICTION
For two clubs level on points at the top to meet this late in the campaign is rare, and mental focus for the full ninety minutes will be the key to this match. When they last met, it ended in a scoreless draw. While I do not expect that to be the outcome this time around, a draw is not out of the question, because we all know that defensive duties will be the main item to emphasize for the managers of the two respective squads. Several chances will be had by each side, but the overall strength and experience of the back fours will be enough to keep this title chase going until the end of the season.
Milan 1-1 Juventus
