[Serie A] Milan-Juventus (13 Viewers)

[Maher]

Milan - Juventus

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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When Milan and Juventus meet it is always one of the most eagerly awaited games of the season and this encounter is no exception. After the two sides were neck and neck at the top of the table for much of last season, the Rossoneri are sure to be after revenge following Juve’s capture of the Scudetto.

The Bianconeri’s win in this match last term effectively won them the title and with these two again topping the Division, neither side will want to give the other an opening. A loss for the Diavolo would be especially dangerous as it would give the Turin giants an eight point lead in the race for this year’s Serie A championship. While La Vecchia Signora will be the favourites after breaking their all-time record by winning their first nine games, it is hard to write-off a team with as much talent as Milan.

This game will be made even more exciting by the return to the San Siro of Juve Coach Fabio Capello. The tactician won the Scudetto and the European Cup with Milan before moving to Spain. He will be taking former Rossoneri players Patrick Vieira and Christian Abbiati with him. Vieira will have a point to prove after being dumped by the club as a youngster, while Abbiati made a loan switch to Turin during the summer. A good performance in this match could help him play a bigger role on his return after he was ousted by current No 1 Nelson Dida. Striker Christian Vieri will also be facing one of his old clubs as the journeyman spent some of the best years of his career with the Bianconeri, as did teammate Filippo Inzaghi.

At least one of those two forwards should get the chance to start against their old team due to the injury of Andriy Shevchenko. While the probable loss of the Ukrainian is a big loss, both Inzaghi and Vieri have shown they are more than capable of filling in for him next to Alberto Gilardino. The trio have scored four goals between them in the last two games, helping Milan win their last six.

The home boys will also be without Massimo Ambrosini and Alessandro Nesta because of injury. Juventus’ defensive injury crisis is improving but still hasn’t completely cleared up as Alessandro Birindelli, Jonathan Zebina and Gianluigi Buffon are out, as is Ruben Olivera.



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Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Maldini, Costacurta, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Juventus (probable): Abbiati; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic

 

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[Maher]

Capello: Milan clash ‘not decisive’ Friday 28 October, 2005

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Juventus boss Fabio Capello has played down the importance of the Milan match by insisting it is ‘not decisive’ to the outcome of the title race.

Speaking ahead of Saturday night’s eagerly-awaited showdown between his Serie A charges and second-placed Milan, Capello admitted that the psychological spoils were at stake but nothing more at this early stage.

"It’s an important game but not a decisive one," he said. "It has more of a psychological value than anything else."

The Juve tactician, who guided Milan to four League titles in five years as well as a Champions League win during the 1990s, has set an Italian record already this season by masterminding nine straight wins since the start of the campaign.

Victory number 10 would put his side eight points clear at the top of the table – a fact that is not lost on the 59-year-old.

"A win would be an important one as it would put us eight points ahead, but we are still only at the early stages," he added. "The title race is a long one."

It certainly will be for the chasing pack if Juve triumph at the San Siro. Given his side’s incredible run of form, Don Fabio is confident that his side has got what it takes to win three points.

What gives him even more belief is the fact that his side is stronger than the one that beat Milan 1-0 in this fixture last term.

"We are not afraid because last year we won and we didn’t have either Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Patrick Vieira in the side. This year we do and because of that we don’t feel inferior to anyone," he argued.

"Our strength is that we approach every side with the same attitude and with the intention of winning. We know what our strengths are and we play with great conviction."

Milan will need that very same conviction if they are to prevent Juve from stretching their 100 percent League record into double figures.

With regard to his starting line-up, Capello is only expected to be without Christian Abbiati – who is on loan from Milan. Antonio Chimenti will therefore start in goal.

 

[Maher]

it will be 1 goal difference 1-0 to any side or 1-1 or 0-0 trez or mutu to score

 

[Dan10]

is nesta and sheva out or not cuz im hearin different things. On goal.com they have Nesta in the starting line-up...is he out or not

 

[Maher]

they are out of this match

 

[Monkfish]

Nesta is playing according to channel4.

What about Vieira? Last week they said he might not be ready for this game, he is in the squad according to websites, but is he 100% fit?

Oh, and I would also bet that Shevchenko will play from the start tonight.

 

[rokkstar]

Serie A preview: Clash of the titans

Italian champions Juventus, fresh from setting a new record for the best start to a Serie A season, face title rivals AC Milan at the San Siro on Saturday in the biggest game of the campaign so far. Inter visit Sampdoria, while Fiorentina go to Cagliari and Udinese travel to fifth-placed Palermo.



Juve break record


An 80,000 capacity crowd is expected for the game between the top two sides in Serie A with Juventus hoping to extend their run of nine straight wins this season.

Milan are five points behind their rivals and while Carlo Ancelotti's side have yet to truly sparkle they have a 100 percent home record and will be keen to avenge last season's defeat to Juve.

The 1-0 win by Fabio Capello's side at the San Siro in May effectively secured the club's record 28th 'scudetto' and while this encounter comes early in the campaign the scorer in last season's match, French forward David Trezeguet says there is already much at stake.

"We are going to the San Siro in an ideal position - five points are a fair gap at this stage and eight would be even better," he said.

"They are the ones who have to take the game to us if they want to win and if they want to catch us up.

"But it will be the same Juventus and we certainly don't lack any motivation for this match. We want to give a show of force even if there is still a long way to go," he said.

Trezeguet's compatriot, midfielder Patrick Vieira, has recovered from a groin injury and is likely to start alongside Brazilian Emerson in the centre of midfield for Juve.

Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, on loan from Milan as cover for the injured Gianluigi Buffon, is struggling with flu and a knee injury so third-choice keeper Antonio Chimenti is on stand-by.

GOOD FORM

Capello faces a tough choice in attack where Alessandro Del Piero's recent good form is putting pressure on Trezeguet and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Romanian Adrian Mutu has also impressed recently in a wide role.

Milan's attacking options are reduced by a foot injury to European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko, who is doubtful for the game, but Ancelotti has been given a boost in the past two matches by the scoring form of his other strikers.

Former Juve forward Filippo Inzaghi, back from long-term injuries scored his first goal in 19 months in Sunday's win over Palermo while at Empoli on Wednesday Christian Vieri was on target for the first time since joining the club from Inter during the close season.

Alberto Gilardino, a 24 million euro ($29.10 million) signing from Parma, scored twice in the 3-1 victory at Empoli but has yet to do so in front of his own fans.

"I hope to break my duck at the San Siro. It's not something that is weighing on me but after scoring five goals away from home it would be nice to get on the scoresheet. But the important thing is winning not who scores the goals," he said.

Also on Saturday, fourth placed Inter who trail Juve by nine points after Wednesday's home defeat to Roma, face a tricky away trip to Sampdoria.

On Sunday, Fiorentina, who have moved above Inter into third place, are at home to struggling Cagliari while Udinese are at home to fifth placed Palermo.



Reuters - 28/10/2005

 

[rokkstar]

++ [ originally posted by Maresca ] ++


I consider the game against bayern for more important..

Me too... i would like for us to win vs bayern and draw vs milan.

A win on the other hand would also be great !!!


FORZA JUVE!!!

 

[joe5]

++ [ originally posted by rokkstar ] ++



Me too... i would like for us to win vs bayern and draw vs milan.

A win on the other hand would also be great !!!


FORZA JUVE!!!

I agree with you. And for me the CL is more important than Scudeto.

 

[Bozi]

as long as we dont lose i will be happy,the bayern game is important but no matter what we will qualify from the group beating them is only important so we get a good draw in the next round and get a team we can beat easily,like real madrid:fool:

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Precedents between Capello and Ancelotti, Italian Cup included:

Capello's wins: 3
Draws: 8
Ancelotti's wins: 9

Precedents between Capello and Milan Italian Cup included:

Capello's wins: 3
Draws: 6
Milan's wins: 7

Precedents between Juventus and Ancelotti

Juventus' wins: 4
Draws: 9
Ancelotti's wins: 3

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Matches played 71
Wins 17
Draws 30
Defeats 24

Goals
Scored 87
Conceded 102




The last match:

Won
Season 2004/05 35th matchday, May 8th 2005
Milan vs Juventus 0-1
Trezeguet

Drawn
Season 2003/04 8th matchday, November 1st 2003
Milan vs Juventus 1-1
Tomasson, Di Vaio

Lost
Season 2002/03 26th matchday, March 22nd 2003
Milan vs Juventus 2-1
Shevchenko, Nedved, Inzaghi

 

[Rainforest Liu]

1984/85 17/02/85 Milan Juventus 3-2
Virdis (2), Platini, Rossi, Di Bartolomei ®

1985/86 15/12/85 Milan Juventus 0-0

1986/87 22/02/87 Milan Juventus 1-1
Serena, Virdis

1987/88 08/05/88 Milan Juventus 0-0

1988/89 12/03/89 Milan Juventus 4-0
Tricella (aut.), Evani, Mannari (2)

1989/90 05/11/89 Milan Juventus 3-2
Van Basten (2, 1 su ®), De Agostini ®, Schillaci, Donadoni

1990/91 30/12/90 Milan Juventus 2-0
Ancelotti, Gullit

1991/92 09/02/92 Milan Juventus 1-1
Van Basten, Casiraghi

1992/93 18/04/93 Milan Juventus 1-3
Simone, Moeller (2), Baggio

1993/94 24/10/93 Milan Juventus 1-1
Baggio ®, Albertini

1994/95 02/04/95 Milan Juventus 0-2
Ravanelli, Vialli

1995/96 15/10/95 Milan Juventus 2-1
Simone, Weah, Del Piero

1996/97 06/04/97 Milan Juventus 1-6
Jugovic (2), Zidane ®, Vieri (2), Amoruso, Simone

1997/98 30/11/97 Milan Juventus 1-1
Ferrara (aut.), Inzaghi

1998/99 06/01/99 Milan Juventus 1-1
Albertini ®, Fonseca

1999/00 24/03/00 Milan Juventus 2-0
Shevchenko (2)

2000/01 21/10/00 Milan Juventus 2-2
Ambrosini, Shevchenko, Trezeguet, Conte

2001/02 09/12/01 Milan Juventus 1-1
Shevchenko, Del Piero ®

2002/03 22/03/03 Milan Juventus 2-1
Shevchenko, Nedved, Inzaghi

2003/04 01/11/03 Milan Juventus 1-1
Tomasson, Di Vaio

2004/05 08/05/05 Milan Juventus 0-1
Trezeguet

 

[Rainforest Liu]

3 Chiellini
4 Vieira
6 Kovac
7 Pessotto
8 Emerson
9 Ibrahimovic
10 Del Piero
11 Nedved
12 Chimenti
14 Balzaretti
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
18 Mutu
19 Zambrotta
20 Blasi
21 Thuram
22 Bonnefoi
23 Giannichedda
25 Zalayeta
28 Cannavaro
32 Abbiati

 

[Rainforest Liu]

“We’re going to play in an important stadium, against top level opponents, against whom we’ll still be playing on equal terms. We have to face it with peace of mind and confidence in our means”.

The memory of last year’s challenge for the title is still alive and it’s easy to draw a parallel but Fabio Capello says that the two matches cannot be compared: “This match is important but not crucial. If we were five matchdays from the end, it would be different, but at this point we have the whole season ahead. Anyway winning and stretching the lead over Milan up to eight points.. would not be bad”.

The rossoneri have had a hard start of the season, while they’re now marching at full pace: “I was surprised that they did not start well. This is a club of a great calibre, with top players and they couldn’t but pull themselves together”. One further threat for the Bianconeri defence may be Filippo Inzaghi’s comeback: “Sure, Inzaghi is always a threat but all Milan players are: Gilardino, Kakà, Serginho, Seedorf, Pirlo… When you play against a team like this one you never know which side danger can come from. Anyway, we have nothing less than Milan”.

If Milan have recovered Inzaghi, Juventus will have Patrick Vieira back at their disposal, as he’s been called up for the match against the Rossoneri and Capello indicates him as the ace of this year’s Juventus: “If we look at last year, it’s his very goals that has given us something more. He’s now back from the break, I don’t know how much “power” he’s got but I’m sure his versatility on the pitch will show. Besides Patrick, Ibrahimovic has recovered too, while Abbiati will surely miss the match as he had a fever until very few days ago”.

 

[Desmond]

Somehow I feel Chimenti could decide this match. :groan:

 

[sateeh]

i think that ancelotti is just trying some pathetic mind games in regards to Sheva, Nesta, and whoever.
They were just included in the squad only to push the juve players out of their game... but the jokes r on him.

Viera can't be a full 100%, he didnt play for sometime now and i dont wan the pressure to be only at him.
For me i think the game would depend heavily on how emo and the other midfielders close down Ricardo "Kaka".As he is just send shots here and there abt the game, so he is pumped for this game.

Another two other players in the juve side who i think r the key, are Camo and neddy.Especially camo.He will on the weaker side of the milan defense, where I guess Serginho would be playing and pushing forward alot, so i think camo should take advantage of that.
I hope neddy's gives his 100% game tonite.We will need that, especially offensively.We will need something extra from him tonite.If he doesnt then, i hope mutu could get a chance on the left.
I hope the fullbacks would be fit enough.To face the very creative & fast milan wingers. I know zambo would be ok but the other player on the other side.Thuram, pessoto.blasi,chiellini, i hope he would just be better defensively , i dont want any offensive duties from him. just close down the opposition.
Canna&kovac or thuram..will have a though job dealing with gila and Super pippo.I guess we would be using the offside trap more than usual tonite.

Into the Frontmen, ibra & trezi.I just want ibra to have a good game.We will need him to focus on the game, and screaming on the opposition, or be just agitated and angry.
Trezi would do his usual job infront of goal, the midfield would need to feed him some good balls infront.

I really liked what alex said today abt the game, and day after day he really proves wat he is worth to this team and to the game of football as a whole. I hope he gets a chance to play tomorrow.

forzaa juvee

 

[HelterSkelter]

BACKGROUND

Memories of the two encounters between these sides during last season immediately come to mind, with both holding a certain amount of significance. The first match, on December 18, 2004 (at Juve’s Stadio Delle Alpi), was a very entertaining scoreless draw, but Milan clearly played better, and came within inches of scoring on several occasions. Then, in the return-fixture in late May at Milan’s Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, or as it is affectionately known, the San Siro (where the current match at hand takes place), it was all still left to play for, with Milan and Juventus level on points at the top of the table. Fresh off their advancement to the Champions League final by defeating PSV Eindhoven (albeit only by the skin of their teeth), Milan carried that very same form into the match against Juve, and were beaten 1-0. The victory came by virtue of a spectacular overhead-kick from Alessandro Del Piero, which caught the Milan defense napping, and was then headed into the net by David Trezeguet in the 27th minute. Milan pushed for an equalizer, but could not get through the Bianconeri rearguard. Subsequently, Juventus went on to win the title a few weeks later, and Milan finished the season empty-handed.

Now, Milan have a new season to put past failures behind them, or so they thought. In the lead-up to this weekend’s match, many questions about the defeat of last season continue to surface. Despite denial from members of both clubs that it has any bearing on what is to occur in the future, the players and coaches have had to address it, even if only briefly. The date May 8, 2005 (when Juve defeated Milan) keeps coming up, and it must remind the Rossoneri somewhat of the feelings they experienced when they could not get away from the constant questioning about their collapse in the Champions League final against Liverpool.

Milan have won their last six Serie A matches, and their form is improving daily. The main question for the Rossoneri in this match is: can they defeat a side like Juventus without a fully-fit squad? Captain Paolo Maldini will return to the lineup, after sitting out the win over Empoli on Wednesday. Another player coming back into the fold is fellow-defender Alessandro Nesta, who sustained an injury to his left fore finger several weeks ago on international duty. Several doubts include Jaap Stam, Massimo Ambrosini, and Andriy Shevchenko. Stam has a thigh injury, and may make the substitutes bench, while Ambrosini will not be available. Shevchenko injured his heel and ankle against PSV Eindhoven ten days ago, and the decision on whether to field him will not be made until further testing.

Juventus are in terrific form, as they have started the season with nine wins on the trot in domestic competition. The lone blemish on their season was the 2-1 loss in Munich, Germany to Bayern in the Champions League. Otherwise, the Bianconeri have basically swept aside any and all challengers. A big reason for this has been the added depth to their attack. Alessandro Del Piero has seen a return to the form of old, and Adrian Mutu has filled in well when needed. Another key addition was that of Patrick Vieira who, after coming to Turin on the cheap from Arsenal, has quickly built a solid central-midfield partnership with the gritty-Brazilian Emerson. Both players are tough-tackling intimidators who have a flare for the attack.

On the other hand, not all agree with the supposed formidability of this central-midfield pairing. Milan attacking-midfielder Kakà recently spoke about these two players, saying: “Juve are a really great side especially in defence but the Champions League defeat in Munich proved they are not invincible," he opined. "Emerson and Vieira are good players but both have some weaknesses. I will be looking to make space.”

An interesting piece of news is that goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will not play in this match, and the reason is two-fold. First of all, he has tonsillitis. Second, and most importantly, he has personal motives which prevent him from playing against Milan (he is currently on-loan to Juventus from Milan).

And so, we can now bask in the glow which radiates from the quality these two squads possess.


TEAM NEWS

Milan will have the returned-services of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, but will definitely be without Jaap Stam and Massimo Ambrosini. Andriy Shevchenko is also very doubtful.

Juventus will get Patrick Vieira back in the lineup, after he had some time out because of an abdominal-injury. There are no other serious injury concerns, besides the long-term exceptions of Gianluigi Buffon and Jonathan Zebina.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kakà (Milan)
After he made the claims of weakness in the Juventus midfield, he had better back it up with his play. He should expect to see (and feel) a lot of late tackles, courtesy of Emerson and Vieira.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
This Swede is not your typical center-forward. While he does have the desired height, his dribbling skills make him a terror for any defense. Against Milan, he may be able to get behind the aging and not completely-healthy backline.


POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafù, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Gilardino, Inzaghi

Juventus (4-4-2):
Chimenti; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet


PREDICTION
The players will use the comments of the press and the other side as serious motivation to prove how good they are, worthy of the consideration they receive from many. With the midfield battle likely to be a dogfight, the play on the wings will be instrumental in determining the outcome, specifically the service provided for the strikers. A tight match is on the cards, and one mistake or moment of brilliance shall decide the result.

Milan 1-0 Juventus

 

[HelterSkelter]

im going with a scoreless draw.

 

[Freddy]

Hopefully Juve will win tonight

FORZA JUVE