Serie A Preview: Juventus - Milan
What: Serie A - Matchday 16
Who: Juventus (2nd, 30 pts.) vs.Milan (3rd, 30 pts.)
When: Sunday, 14 December, 20:30 (CET)
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Torino
Make Or Break Time
According to many people, this match will determine who the worthy challengers to Inter Milan in the Scudetto race will be. It may seem odd to make such a determination before the halfway point of the season, but with Inter already jumping out to a lead of six points, it could very well be that the loser of this match (or both sides in the event of a draw) will be up against it, as they say. An eight or nine point deficit to one of the most star-studded and powerful sides in all of Europe would be quite a margin to overcome.
This is contrary to the belief in both camps, however. Said Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri, “It's a great game between two teams which have given Italian football plenty over the years, but I don't think it will be decisive.
“I am convinced that we will play for it right until the end against many good teams,” he went on to say.
“These games always assure spectacle. Players like Ronaldinho and [Alessandro] Del Piero always give something unique. I am lucky because I have the best seat in the house on the bench and I don't have to pay for a ticket.”
These sentiments were echoed by Milan team captain Paolo Maldini, who said, “If I play against Del Piero then I will be very happy because he is a great guy. I have seen him train well and I think his secret is hard work and great passion for the game.
“People like Del Piero and [Gianluigi] Buffon stayed when times were tough and they are now enjoying great satisfactions."
When asked about his teammate, Ronaldinho, he said, “Ronaldinho? He has brought a higher technical level to the team and he is a revelation. He has settled down well and he is getting used to the harder training sessions.”
Sunday Night Special
It’s always a grand occasion when these two clubs get together, and this encounter should be no different. Looking at how both sides have played this season, this could shape up to be the most exciting fixture so far.
Juventus have, for the most part, dominated the smaller sides of Serie A, winning by large scores. However, when playing against better competition, they have not fared as well. An opening day away draw against Fiorentina seemed a fair result for the start of the season, but losing 2-1 at home against Palermo, and by the same score away to Napoli in October were surely disappointing results.
Then, losing 1-0 at Inter three weeks ago ended a five-match winning streak. Juve returned to winning ways with a 4-0 demolition of Reggina the next weekend, and then achieved a hard fought victory away to Lecce last Sunday, 2-1.
As for Milan, they stumbled recently and have yet to completely recover. Two weeks ago, they were torn apart away to Palermo, 3-1, and could have lost by a larger score. Rather than right the ship, they lost at home 2-1 to Lazio three days later in the Coppa Italia.
In both contests, Milan wasted plenty of scoring chances, which is something they have been guilty of all season. Last Sunday, they defeated Catania 1-0 in Milan, but this match was definitely not anything to be very proud of, as they again struggled to break down a team that they should have easily defeated.
In any case, they come into this match needing a positive performance in order to build their confidence back up, not to mention to ease the criticism they are receiving.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus
22/11 (Serie A): Inter 1-0 Juventus
25/11 (Champions League): Zenit 0-0 Juventus
29/11 (Serie A): Juventus 4-0 Reggina
07/12 (Serie A): Lecce 1-2 Juventus
10/12 (Champions League): Juventus 0-0 BATE Borisov
Milan
16/11 (Serie A): Milan 1-0 Chievo
23/11 (Serie A): Torino 2-2 Milan
30/11 (Serie A): Palermo 3-1 Milan
03/12 (Coppa Italia): Milan 1-2 Lazio
07/12 (Serie A): Milan 1-0 Catania
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
The injury list for the Bianconeri is quite long, as it features names such as Jonathan Zebina, David Trezeguet, Gianluigi Buffon, Hasan Salihamidzic, Dario Knezevic, Christian Poulsen, Tiago Mendes and Mauro Camoranesi; although, Camoranesi is attempting to get fit in time for this encounter.
Zdenek Grygera, Christian Molinaro and Mauro Camoranesi could be suspended for the next match should they be cautioned in this one.
Possible Formation (4-4-2): Manninger; Grygera, Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko, Marchisio, Nedved; Del Piero, Amauri
Milan
The Rossoneri are without Alessandro Nesta and Marco Borriello, both through injury. There was shocking news twice over this week as it was determined first that Gennaro Gattuso had sustained knee ligament damage, and could miss up to six months. Secondly, Daniele Bonera had to undergo a hernia operation this week, and he will be out for the rest of 2008.
Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo are not entirely fit, but they should be available for selection, while Ronaldinho could be a game time decision.
There are no suspended players for Milan, but Massimo Ambrosini, Mathieu Flamini and Kakhaber Kaladze are facing suspension should they be cautioned in this match.
Possible Formation (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Shevchenko, Pato
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus
Alessandro Del Piero has always been one for the big occasion (at least in club competition). Il Pinturicchio, as the Juve supporters so affectionately call him, will need to paint another beautiful picture in this match for his side to get the win.
After joining the club from Palermo in the summer, many people thought Amauri would struggle, at lease initially, to integrate himself into a big-name club; they were wrong. He has dazzled in attack, and secured the three points for Juventus last Sunday with a late winner.
Milan
With Ronaldinho’s participation in doubt at this point, Kakà will need to be at his best. He has claimed recently that having ‘Ronnie’ in the lineup has forced him to play in a different manner, but he may get a chance to be fielded in his usual role as maestro.
Paolo Maldini loves to play in the big matches, especially when Juventus are the other side on the pitch. He will need to be at his best in order to stop the Juve attack.
PREDICTION
Whatever the result, this match will provide highs and lows, ups and downs. Milan will have to attack, because if they sit back, then Juventus will pick them apart. That being said, this match will not produce too many goals, with both sides knowing what’s at stake.
Juventus 1-1 Milan
Source: Goal.com (ah sorryyy)
