Post by Taxigirl on Feb 20, 2004 12:40:36 GMT
LIVE on British Eurosport (KO 7.30pm UK time)
Stadio San Siro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Will the Milan derby give the Rossoneri a final push towards the Scudetto, or revive an Inter side teetering on the edge of another crisis?
The Derby della Madonnina is never anything less than a passionate, fiery and controversial encounter with the cream of Italian football facing off in one of the world’s premiere soccer arenas. This local battle more often than not throws the form book out of the window, with the team that is struggling at that point emerging victorious.
Considering their results last weekend, it is difficult to pick a winner out of the hat. Milan’s run of seven consecutive Serie A wins was halted at lowly Lecce, while Inter were shocked on home turf by Udinese’s 2-1 victory. Alberto Zaccheroni’s future now appears to be in doubt after he lost fourth place to Lazio and opened up a 16-point gap from the leaders.
Both sides have big stars missing, as Rossoneri captain Paolo Maldini is suspended, while Pippo Inzaghi and Massimo Ambrosini are major doubts to feature. The Nerazzurri’s injury list is almost too long to mention, with Francesco Coco, Matias Almeyda, Cristiano Zanetti, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro, Obafemi Martins, Emre Belozoglu and Carlos Gamarra sidelined for one reason or another. There are rumours that Alberto Zaccheroni – who won the title with Milan – could drop his 3-4-3 system in favour of a more solid 4-4-2 with Christian Vieri and Adriano starting their first Serie A game together.
Milan ran out 3-1 winners the last time these two sides met back in October, and many pundits believe it was that result which sealed Hector Cuper’s fate. Inzaghi, Kaka and Capocannoniere Andriy Shevchenko were on target that day before Martins’ late consolation strike.
The Champions’ League semi-final meetings also went in Carlo Ancelotti’s favour, albeit only on the away goals rule, but in recent years the Derby has been a red and black celebration with three Milan victories on the trot. In fact, Inter have emerged with all three points just once in the last seven meetings, including a crushing 6-0 defeat in May 2001.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIlan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Costacurta, Pancaro; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Rui Costa; Kaka, Shevchenko
Inter (probable): Toldo; Helveg, Adani, Cordoba; J Zanetti, Farinos, Stankovic, Pasquale; Recoba, Vieri, Adriano