Italian Serie A preview: AC Milan – ACF Fiorentina
Rossoneri Scudetto march
After a mixed start to this season’s Scudetto campaign, Rossoneri have truly come into their own with a string of victories. As things stand, Massimiliano Allegri’s side stands top of the league with 26 points from 12 games; 6 points above
nearest Scudetto contenders and fierce rivals, Inter Milan. Although SS Lazio are a single point below AC Milan, it’s arguable whether Aquile would be able to mount a serious challenge towards the end of the season.
AC Milan won Derby della Madonnina last week. The derby victory was seventh Rossoneri victory in eight matches. The Protagonist of Milan revival has clearly been the summer arrival Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The lanky forward has scored six goals
for the club and is getting better with each passing game.
Milan now welcomes Fiorentina to San Siro on the back of rich results and confident would be sky high. Against a team ravaged with injuries, anything less than three points would surely be a failure on Rossoneri part.
Viola looking to gain momentum
Viola, under new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, made a poor start to the latest campaign and indeed they were flirting with relegation at one point. However, things have improved ever since. Mihajlovic seems to have hit the right note with Fiorentina.
With three victories from their last five games, Viola are climbing up the rankings. As things stand, Fiorentina are 12th in the league with 15 points from 12 games. On a less positive note, Mihajlovic’s side have
one of the poorest away records in the league. The Florence based outfit has failed to register a win on their travels; Viola have 2 points from their five away games.
Where a victory against AC Milan would be a miracle, should such a result be achieved, it has the potential to catalyse the Viola campaign even further.
Team News
AC Milan
Alexandre Pato and Massimo Oddo are out injured for the Rossoneri while Pippo Inzaghi’s season has been put to a sharp end by an injury. Ignazio Abate will sit out the encounter due to suspension. Owing much to Robinho’s woeful recent
form, Allegri is expected to start Ibrahimovic in the lone striker role.
ACF Fiorentina
Fiorentina will have to do without a host of key first team players. Sebastian Frey, Ricardo Montolivo, Stevan Jovetic, Cristian Zanetti, Felipe and Adrian Mutu are all unavailable for this game due to numerous injuries. Alberto Gilardino
will play as the lone striker against his former club.
Key Players
Ronaldinho
The former Barcelona attacker has not been used by Massimiliano Allegri is recent weeks but will get the chance to impress the manager tonight. Ronaldinho put in an impressive performance against Argentina on International duty and will
look to continue the good work.
Alberto Gilardino
Former Milan forward has had a poor season so far but looks to have regained his scoring touch in recent weeks. Gila will look to outmuscle and outscore the Rossoneri backline as Viola must score if they are to go home with a result.
Prediction
The game would be an entertaining affair with chances coming to both sides. Milan’s recent form indicates that a Viola victory is highly unlikely but Fiorentina are a dangerous side and Allegri must warn his men against complacency. Having
said that, Gigliati’s numerous injury worries will come back to haunt them as Rossoneri will walk away with a 2 – 0 victory.