What: Italian Serie A
Who: AC Milan vs Juventus
When: Saturday 25th February, 2012, at 19:45 UK time
Where: San Siro, Milan, Italy
It Comes Down to This
With just a single point separating the sides, this AC Milan-Juventus clash promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. There might still be a good number of games to play, but the psychological advantage that either team would be able to hold should they win cannot be underestimated. For Milan especially, as reigning champions, a win over Juventus is crucial.
Victory for the Rossoneri would see Milan ahead of the Bianconeri by four points, albeit with Juventus having a game in hand. Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri however has tried to play down the importance of the fixture, claiming that, although crucial, the game may not be the title-decider it is, in some quarters, being billed as.
“It is not yet a decisive game”, said Allegri. “But a win for either team would change the balance of this league championship. We just have to play a good game and try and get the best result we can.”
Given their huge injury list, it is perhaps no surprise Allegri is not expecting miracles. Playing at the San Siro might be to their advantage, but there is no doubt that the side will need to stay sharp in order to topple Juventus.
Eyes on the Prize
For Juventus a win away from home against the league leaders would mean that both teams will trade places in the standings, with the Bianconeri having a game in hand. This means that should all go well for the 1998 Champions League finalists, then a potential five-point gap with the Rossoneri can be opened up. Juventus need to step up to the challenge now should they want to reclaim their pre-Calciopoli glory days.
And Juventus will approach this clash with respect for their opponents, stressed coach Antonio Conte. “We’re facing Milan who are the defending champions”, said the Bianconeri boss.
“They are ahead of us in the league and the team we regard as being the strongest in the championship.”
Beating the Diavolo will be anything but easy, given how Milan have found their touch of late, with the 4-0 crushing of Arsenal in the Champions League a notable highlight. Nonetheless, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a Juventus old boy, out of this one through suspension, Conte may be quietly confident of success.
Recent form
AC Milan:
Udinese 1-2 AC Milan (11/02; Serie A)
AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal (15/02; Champions League)
Cesena 1-3 AC Milan (19/02; Serie A)
Juventus:
AC Milan 1-2 Juventus (08/02; Coppa Italia)
Parma 0-0 Juventus (15/02; Serie A)
Juventus 3-1 Catania (18/02; Serie A)
Key absences
AC Milan: Kevin-Prince Boateng (doubt); Philippe Mexes (doubt); Alberto Aquilani (doubt); Mathieu Flamini (doubt); Clarence Seedorf; Alexander Merkel; Rodney Strasser; Antonio Cassano; Gennaro Gattuso (doubt); Zlatan Ibrahimovic (suspended)
Juventus: Luca Marrone
Players to watch
AC Milan – Robinho: With no Ibrahimovic, the onus is on Robinho to produce an attacking display to tip the balance of the match. The Brazilian may have lost some of his magic since leaving Real Madrid, but the striker remains a potent threat that must be dealt with carefully by Juventus.
Juventus – Andrea Pirlo: Will he be jeered by Milan’s ultras, or be given a standing ovation by the stadium he called home for ten years? Either way, Pirlo will be one of the focal points when the two collide. The pass-master helped beat Milan once this year and he can influence proceedings again.
Match Prediction
Milan appear to have found form once again and are growing in confidence over the prospect of keeping their title. However, the loss of Ibrahimovic to suspension will be clearly exposed against the Bianconeri, something the visitors will thoroughly capitalise on. AC Milan 1-2 Juventus.
