Serie A Week 34 - 20/4/08 (14.00 UK)
Milan - Reggina
Stadio Meazza
There is no room for error for Milan if they are to play in next season’s Champions League, but they can expect spirited resistance as they host a Reggina side fighting to stay afloat.
Time is running out for Carlo Ancelotti and the indignity of missing out on the Champions League is a probability rather than a possibility. Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against Juventus will have stung the Rossoneri, but they remain four points behind Fiorentina and will have been relieved to see Sampdoria slip up unexpectedly. However, one more defeat is likely to realistically end the world champions’ chances of playing on the biggest stage next term and there is even the galling prospect of having to use the Intertoto Cup as a route to Europe should Udinese come good.
The damage may already be done, but it is crucial that Milan finish strongly, not least to aid their chances of luring talented reinforcements such as Ronaldinho to San Siro in the summer. It is also essential that they win here to give their fans a much-needed boost. The Diavolo have won just five times at home this term – only four teams have fewer wins than that. A summer reshuffle looms, but this ageing Milan needs to find one last effort.
Reggina could just pull off one of their trademark Great Escapes. Just when their days looked numbered, the Calabrians stunned former boss Walter Mazzarri’s high-flying Sampdoria 1-0 and restored hope to the Stadio Granillo faithful. January addition Franco Brienza is working wonders for the Amaranto and has promised to fire them to safety – whatever happens it will surely go to the wire.
Despite the optimism after last weekend, Nevio Orlandi’s minnows are in 18th and won’t be relishing a trip to Milan. Indeed, Reggina don’t relish travelling anywhere – they are yet to record an away win and have only found the net eight times on the road. With just one goal in their last six away games, the plan must be to frustrate their hosts and hope for a moment of magic. Amazingly, Reggina have to play fellow strugglers Parma, Catania, Empoli and Catania in the final weeks, so they will see their trip to the fashion capital as a chance for an unlikely bonus before their four Cup Finals.
Milan didn’t find it easy to secure the points in Week 15 and won 1-0 courtesy of Alberto Gilardino in a game that was rescheduled for their Club World Cup adventure. Reggina beat Milan 2-0 last year and 2-1 in May 2004, but conquering San Siro is a huge task. There has been no draw in the last nine editions of this fixture.
Ancelotti is without the villain of the Juventus game Daniele Bonera, who is suspended for two games for his horror challenge on Momo Sissoko. Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini is also banned. Alexandre Pato is the big absentee as he continues to fight an adductor problem. Pippo Inzaghi is likely to start as a lone striker with Alberto Paloschi and Gilardino on the bench. Marek Jankulovski and Emerson are sidelined.
The visitors are missing Paraguayan midfielder Jose Montiel through injury and Emmanuel Cascione for disciplinary reasons.
Keep an eye on: Pippo Inzaghi (Milan) – The veteran hitman has returned from injury with a bang and has hit two braces in two games with some vintage Super Pippo finishing.
Last season: Milan 3-1 Reggina
Form guide: Milan (L W L W L) Reggina (D D L L W)
Milan (probable): Kalac; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kaka, Seedorf; Inzaghi
Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Cirillo, Aronica; Vigiani, Barreto, Tognozzi, Modesto; Cozza, Brienza, Amoruso
Ref: To follow...
channel4