Team News
AC Milan
AC Milan are without a host of key players for this game. While Filippo Inzaghi will not feature again this season- maybe not ever- because of a knee injury, the likes of Alexandre Pato, Thiago Silva, Mathieu Flamini and Gianluca Zambrotta will not be available
on the pitch as the aforementioned players are nursing their respective injuries.
Daviolo do not have the required squad depth to compete on multiple fronts. However, the rumoured arrival of talismanic forward Antonio Cassano will be an excellent addition to a squad lacking in attacking depth.
Expected Formation
Massimiliano Allegri has scrapped his favourite 4-3-3 formation and has taken a liking to the 4-3-1-2 formation that brings more balance and steel to a slow Milan midfield. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho will lead the line for Milan while Seedorf will play
the trequartista role. Rossoneri tactician will field a three man midfield with Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini and Gennaro Gattuso locking horns against the likes of David Pizarro and Daniele De Rossi.
Since Thiago Silva is out injured, Mario Yepes will start alongside Nesta in the defence while Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini will take the full back positions.
Probable Line up
Cristian Abbiati, Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Mario Yepes, Luca Antonini, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf/Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
AS Roma
Ranieri will be without the services of his first choice right back Marco Cassetti, Simone Perrotta and striker Mirko Vucinic. Also, Roma’s first and second choice goalkeepers; Julio Cesar and Bogdan Lobont, are out injured and out-of-favour custodian Doni
will keep the gloves.
Expected Formation
Lupi will also field the troops in an attacking 4-3-1-2 formation and the battle of the two titans will be an intriguing affair. Francesco Totti and Marco Borriello (on loan from AC Milan) will lead the lines for Giallorossi and Jeremy Menez will be given
a free role just behind the strikers.
Daniele De Rossi, David Pizarro and Fabio Simplicio will form a three man midfield that will look to dominate the proceedings. In defence, Philippe Mexes and Juan will form a reliable defence pairing while Cicinho and John-Arne Riise will take the flanks.
Probable Line up
Doni, Cicinho, Juan, Philippe Mexes, John-Arne Riise, David Pizarro, Daniele De Rossi, Fabio Simplicio, Jeremy Menez, Francesco Totti, Marco Borriello
Key Players
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The lanky Swede has been the talisman for Rossoneri for much of the season as his goals, assists and link-up play has completely revitalised a slow and static Milan attack. Against Roma, the player will have to be on his peak to trouble a reliable Giallorossi
centre back pairing.
Marco Borriello
Borriello was dumped out by Rossoneri to make space for Ibrahimovic and the bulky forward will be eager to show what his old employers have missed. Should Lupi midfield manage to deliver the ball to Marco in the Rossoneri box, he has the ability to punish
his old friends in Red-Black jerseys.
Prediction
The game will be a highly entertaining affair with both the attacks dominating the proceedings. However, Milan’s rich vein of form and Roma’s defensive woes will come into play as AC Milan will walk out with a 2 – 1 victory.