Serie A Preview: Juventus-Milan

[FerrariTifosi27]

Serie A Preview: Juventus-Milan

What: Italian Serie A
Who: Juventus (58 pts., 3rd) vs. AC Milan (52 pts., 5th)
When: Saturday April 12, 20:30 (CET)
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Torino

Previous Encounter

The first encounter between Juventus and Milan this season took place on December 1, 2007, and they played one of the most exciting scoreless draws in recent memory.

The two clubs were firing on all cylinders in attack for this match, with both goalkeepers (Dida for Milan and Gianluigi Buffon for Juventus) having to be at their best to keep the score sheet blank.

Juventus nearly drew first blood, when David Trezeguet hit a clean strike that came back off of the goal frame, and strike partner Vincenzo Iaquinta could not put away the rebound. Milan almost took the lead through Clarence Seedorf, but his toe-poke went just wide. Despite numerous other scoring chances, the two sides went into halftime with no goals.

In the second half, these teams picked up right where they left off at the break, and each pressed toward goal to try and win this match. Hasan Salihamidzic was only denied by a diving save from Dida. Then, after Kakà’s shot was kick-saved by Buffon, Alberto Gilardino put the rebound into the net, but was flagged for offside.

The end-to-end action continued right up until the final whistle, but neither side could break the deadlock in this scoreless draw at the San Siro.

Saturday Night Special

The biggest rivalry in Italy resumes this Saturday when Milan make the short trip west to Torino, with these being the two most-successful clubs in Serie A history.

Juventus, against all odds, have dazzled and surprised pretty much everyone this season. Despite losing several star players due to their relegation to Serie B two summers ago, they were able to hold onto many of the key members of their squad, and have not skipped a beat in re-acclimating to life in Italy’s top division.

Currently sitting in third place, many prognosticators did not think Juve could immediately be right back near the top of the table, just as they were perpetually before their relegation. Winning the 2005 and 2006 Scudetti (although these titles were later stripped when it was discovered that they were the main protagonists of the Calciopoli scandal), they dominated the league, despite having close competition from Milan for both of those trophies.

Their play this season has been very good for the most part, and quite reminiscent of how they played in those previous title-winning seasons. Despite losing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluca Zambrotta (among several other key players), their attack has not suffered. The Bianconeri are the third highest scoring team in Serie A, behind only Roma and Inter, who happen to be the only sides ahead of them in the standings.

The main reason for this continuity in scoring prowess has been due to the resurgence of Alessandro Del Piero. After being left for dead by managers in previous seasons and only used in short spurts, he has regained the form that saw him become an idol for Juventus supporters the world over. This was clearly demonstrated when he scored two goals in the 3-2 loss away to Palermo last weekend. If not for the incredible exploits of Amauri for Palermo (who scored twice himself in that match), then Del Piero very well could have been the hero once again.

Juventus look to have secured third place in the standings, even if Fiorentina are only two points behind them. Juventus have a match in hand, because of the postponed fixture against Parma two weeks ago due to the death of a supporter in the lead-up to the match. The way they have played this season, you would have to think that the Bianconeri will pick up enough points in their remaining matches to hold onto that third spot, which would send them back into the Champions League after two years away from the competition.

As for Milan, the casualties continue to pile up, and they will again be shorthanded in this match. Already missing Ronaldo, Marek Jankulovski, Massimo Oddo, Emerson and Serginho for large portions of the season, they now will also be without the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze in defense, who are both suspended.

Not only that, but Alexandre Pato, who was unavailable for last weekend’s 3-1 win over Cagliari, has not recovered from a thigh strain, and will more than likely have to watch this match from the stands. This means that Milan will use the same formation they trotted out last weekend, with Kakà in a more advanced role alongside Filippo Inzaghi.

However, if they can put together a display against Juventus like they did in the win over Cagliari, then they won’t have to worry too much. Kakà was simply brilliant in that match, and did anything he wanted to with the ball. He was a constant threat to the Cagliari backline, and scored the opening goal of the match with a shot from distance after one of his now trademark long runs.

This was followed up by two goals from Inzaghi, the second being his sort of trademarked effort. His first goal was a quality headed-ball into the corner of the net, with Cagliari foolishly leaving him unmarked in the box. For his second goal, he rounded the goalkeeper, then fired a beautiful shot inside the far post, with two defenders back defending in front of goal.

This recent upturn in play could not have come soon enough for Milan. They are four points behind Fiorentina for fourth place, which is the final Champions League berth. With only six matches remaining (that includes this upcoming fixture versus Juventus), they basically have to win all of their remaining matches, or at least not lose any of them, to overcome the deficit in the table.

FORM GUIDE (last five fixtures)

Juventus

3/9 Genoa 0-2 Juventus Serie A

3/16 Juventus 1-0 Napoli Serie A

3/19 Empoli 0-0 Juventus Serie A

3/22 Inter 1-2 Juventus Serie A

4/6 Palermo 3-2 Juventus Serie A



Milan

3/15 Roma 2-1 Milan Serie A

3/19 Milan 1-2 Sampdoria Serie A

3/22 Torino 0-1 Milan Serie A

3/29 Milan 1-2 Atalanta Serie A

4/5 Milan 3-1 Cagliari Serie A


TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Cristiano Zanetti is the only player who will definitely be out of this match, as he is still recovering from injury. Pavel Nedved, who sustained a knock to his head in the loss to Palermo last weekend, is questionable, but has been going through training this week. Jorge Andrade is out for the rest of the season, after suffering his umpteenth serious leg injury.

Amazingly, Juve have no fewer than ten players who are one yellow card from receiving a suspension―they are: Giorgio Chiellini, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Pavel Nedved, Zdenek Grygera, Raffaele Palladino, Antonio Nocerino, David Trezeguet, Cristiano Zanetti, Jonathan Zebina and Hasan Salihamidzic.

Milan

Marek Jankulovski and Serginho are injured. Ronaldo and Massimo Oddo are out for the rest of the season. It remains to be seen if Alexandre Pato will be ready to go for this match.

Milan’s first-choice central defensive pairing of Alessandro Nesta and Kakhaber Kaladze are suspended for this match, while Gennaro Gattuso, Giuseppe Favalli and Massimo Ambrosini are one yellow card from a suspension.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) – The manner in which he has played recently has made him indispensable for Juve. His brace against Palermo last weekend proved to all his critics that he still has plenty left in the tank.

Paolo Maldini (Milan) – He very well could be playing against Milan’s eternal opponents for the last time, after having done so previously on a staggering forty-two occasions. Il Capitano always steps up his game when playing against Juventus, and one should expect no less in this fixture.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Tiago, Salihamidzic; Del Piero, Trezeguet

Milan (4-4-2): Kalac; Cafu, Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Kakà, Inzaghi

PREDICTION

Both of these clubs will go all out to secure victory in this match, with a lot at stake, especially since it takes place so late in the season. For Juventus, a loss could open up the possibility of them needing to pick up results in their remaining matches to secure third place in the standings and Champions League football for next term; just a short time ago, it seemed to be a certainty. For Milan, they need to win this match, as time is growing short for them to reach fourth position in the standings, which also brings with it participation in the premier European club competition.

This is arguably the most important match in Italy this weekend, and all eyes in the continent will be on this fascinating and entertaining match on Saturday night. However, that’s not to say there will actually be a winner.

Juventus 2-2 Milan

[Juventino]

The biggest rivalry in Italy resumes this Saturday when Milan make the short trip west to Torino, with these being the two most-successful clubs in Serie A history.

Not even close to being the biggest rivalry, depsite what the two clubs have won. Not even the biggest Turin-Milan rivalry.

I think we can win this. Nedved is out, but then again Milan will be without a few players. Trezeguet and il capitano to score, Juve to win 2-1.

[Missing Post Count]

Some people refer to Juventus v Milan match as the “Italian derby” to underline the importance of the two clubs in the history of their country’s football. With Juventus back from their first ever season outside the top flight and Milan finally facing “redevelopment time” of their ageing squad, it has not been a great season for the two most successful teams in Italy. Still a Champions League place is regarded as a must to salvage a bit of pride. Currently Juventus are third and Milan two places below them and while the hosts can boast the best home defence with only seven goals conceded in 15 games, the Rossoneri will be relieved to play away (nine of their 14 wins so far have come away from the San Siro) as they are the side with the most goals scored on their trips, 28 in 16.

[Missing Post Count]

Empoli v Parma
Empoli have scored the fewest goals, 25 in total and only 15 at home.
Parma have won once in their last 36 away fixtures.
This fixture has never ended in a draw in Serie A.

Genoa v Torino
Genoa have conceded the most penalties, nine.
Torino have drawn the most games - 16.
Torino have lost once in their last six away matches.

Inter v Fiorentina
Inter have conceded just one headed goal this season.
Fiorentina have scored the most headers, 14.
Fiorentina have conceded just one penalty.
Inter have taken the most penalties, nine.

Juventus v Milan
Juventus have conceded the fewest home goals, seven.
Milan have scored the most away goals, 28.
Juventus have scored the most second half goals, 40 out of 53.

Lazio v Siena
Lazio have never lost this fixture in the top flight.
Siena have never failed to score against Lazio in Serie A.
Siena have lost just once in their last 10 games and have kept a clean sheet in seven of those.

Livorno v Cagliari
Livorno have won once in the last 13 matches.
Cagliari have mustered four points in 15 away games.
Five of the seven meetings between these two sides in Serie A have ended in a draw.

Napoli v Atalanta
Atalanta have conceded the most goals from corner kicks, 10.
Atalanta have kept just one clean sheet away from home this season.
Napoli have lost this fixture only three times in Serie A but twice in the last three seasons.

Palermo v Catania
Catania have won one away game in the last 29 and collected just one point in the last 10.
Palermo have failed to score at home just twice, against the top two, Inter and Roma.
Catania have won this Sicilian derby in Serie A only once, in the reverse fixture back in November.

Reggina v Sampdoria
Sampdoria have won four of their last five away matches.
Reggina have beaten Sampdoria in Serie A only once, 2-1 in January 2006.
These two teams have taken the fewest penalties, just one each.

Udinese v Roma
Udinese striker Antonio Flo Flores has been brought on the most times, 19.
Udinese have won this fixture once in the last eight seasons.
Roma won’t probably field their captain Francesco Totti – however, without their leader, they have never lost in nine games (six wins and three draws).

[Juventino]

Some people refer to Juventus v Milan match as the “Italian derby” to underline the importance of the two clubs in the history of their country’s football. With Juventus back from their first ever season outside the top flight and Milan finally facing “redevelopment time” of their ageing squad, it has not been a great season for the two most successful teams in Italy. Still a Champions League place is regarded as a must to salvage a bit of pride. Currently Juventus are third and Milan two places below them and while the hosts can boast the best home defence with only seven goals conceded in 15 games, the Rossoneri will be relieved to play away (nine of their 14 wins so far have come away from the San Siro) as they are the side with the most goals scored on their trips, 28 in 16.

Where did you get this from Bodo? The 'Derby d'Italia' (Derby of Italy, Italian derby, whatever you like) is Juventus vs Inter. Has been for years. And always will be.

[Missing Post Count]

It was on dagbladet, I just translated it

[TM87]

The French stopper who spent five years in Turin following his switch from Parma in 2001 believes his Old club are in better form than their rivals from Milan.

It’s sure to be a great game and Thuram has picked a winner already.

“I was at Juventus for five years and they were amazing. I have been lucky to have played for some of the greatest sides in my career,” Thuram told Sky Sport Italia.

“Milan have not been playing well at all but Juventus are in great form.

“I saw the game against Inter and the Bianconeri were just incredible.

“Del Piero was spectacular and Trezeguet never changes, he is always scoring.”

Juventus can strengthen their Champions League ambitions with a win over the Rossoneri but it will not be easy as Milan are also hell bent on qualifying for Europe’s elite competition.

Great to see Hasan Salihamidžić score...

[FerrariTifosi27]

I can't see how Inter-Juventus is the biggest derby, it's more like Italia vs Francemerda

[Juventino]

Brilliant first half of football. Camoranesi and Del Piero have played great games, and it is like seeing a 22 year old Alex run around again . Great stuff so far from those two, and they combined for the first goal, which Camoranesi flicking on for Del Piero, who from a tight angle hit it low across Kalac and into the back of the net. A minute later Inzaghi was totally unmarked in the centre but hit wide of the post. We did not heed the warning, because Kaka put in a low cross and you know who finished it at the back post. I felt we played the better football all half but Milan were in front when Bonera did well and played a 1-2 with possibly Maldini and he beat the offside trap, got to the ball before Buffon, steered it across to Inzaghi and it was 2-1. Kaka then hit a volley which forced Buffon into a fine save and he got to the loose ball just before Inzaghi came in. Simic should have been at least given a yellow, Del Piero has run rings around him and his tackling is farking crap. There has been at least three crap fouls from him. Right on half time it was a Maldini mistake which saw Camoranesi cross to Trezeguet. His header was saved by Kalac and Salihamidzic hit the rebound home.

Tiago hasn't done much but Sissoko has been good. As much as I do not like the fact Nocerino does not play as much with Momo there, his defensive work is sound. If he just continues to work on the technical side of his game, which he is as is evident in these last few games, he will do well.

Brilliant game so far.

[BAGGIO 15]

Sissoko was great, tonight. 3-2 win is just what we needed.

FORZA JUVE FORZA JUVE FORZA JUVE FORZA JUVE FORZA JUVE FORZA JUVE

[Juventino]

One of the games of the season without a doubt. Iaquinta should have come on as soon as Bonera (digusting tackle it was) was sent off. I was hoping for a trident then, but it all worked out in the end. Terrible defending by Milan, Salihamidzic with a free header and it gave us a deserved win. Del Piero, what a game, Camoranesi also was superb. And when the president gives you a standing ovation when you come off, I think you've done well. Chiellini, Buffon, Molinaro played well, Sissoko, Sali, Grygera, it was a real team effort and we looked really good. Tiago however never really got into the game. He was a major disappointment, as well as Legrottalie's injury. But we were creative which is what has been lacking in most games this season.

I think now it is safe to say - heres to CL football season 2008/09.

[BAGGIO 15]

:: Goals ::

1-0 Del Piero (Min 11)
Click Here for Video
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1927350

1-1 Inzaghi (Min 13)
Click Here for Video
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1927352

1-2 Inzaghi (Min 31)
Click Here for Video
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1927389

2-2 Salihamidzic (Min 45)
Click Here for Video
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1927414

3-2 Salihamidzic (Min 80)
Click Here for Video
http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1927536

[Juventino]

No, fuck, actually my mistake. Just one of those typical boring Italian games I hear so much about.

[BAGGIO 15]

How the big Nap Stendardo missed that header when a tap in was in order amazed me, but at least he can defend.

[Juventino]

Bonera just got a touch of the ball which took it off course.

[Piola]

The biggest rivalry in Italy resumes this Saturday when Milan make the short trip west to Torino, with these being the two most-successful clubs in Serie A history.

Not even close to being the biggest rivalry, depsite what the two clubs have won. Not even the biggest Turin-Milan rivalry.

I think we can win this. Nedved is out, but then again Milan will be without a few players. Trezeguet and il capitano to score, Juve to win 2-1.

spot on, Milan-Juve is not even a Derby IMO, just the 2 sides happen to be the most successful which makes it a massive game.

for pure passion though I dont think that even the Derby d'Italia can match the Derby della Capitale

[ADELAIDE CITY]

FORZA JUVE ITS ALWAYS GOOD WHEN WE BEAT MILAN

[BAGGIO 15]

FORZA JUVE ITS ALWAYS GOOD WHEN WE BEAT MILAN