Milan - Juventus
Posted Saturday, May 15, 2010 by Goal.com
A match between two Italian giants who have slipped down the ladder this campaign.
Kick-Off: Saturday, May 15, 2010, 20:45 CET.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan.
Uncertain Summer Ahead
Come what may, Milan will finish third in Serie A this season. At the moment the Rossoneri are behind Inter and Roma with 67 points from 37 matches, three points clear of Sampdoria, who are fourth.
The game against Juventus is academic for Leonardo's side and although the Milan players will give their best to bag all three points, there are other important issues on hand. Coach Leonardo is likely to leave in the summer and there are concerns how the club will build itself.
Nevertheless, Leonardo will certainly like to end the season on a winning note. The Brazilian has done his best with the squad at his disposal and on a personal level, he should be happy with his achievements.
The Season Cannot End Sooner
Juventus have been largely a disaster this campaign and it is hard to see why they wouldn't like to end the 2009-2010 campaign as soon as possible. Having failed to finish in the top four, the Bianconeri can only feature in the Europa League next season.
At the moment Alberto Zaccheroni's side are seventh in Serie A with 55 points from 37 matches. Like Milan, for Juve the Saturday night fixture is academic too as they cannot finish above Napoli in sixth and cannot be caught by Genoa, who are eighth.
The search for the new coach of the club has already begun and the name of the Sampdoria coach Luigi Del Neri is being mentioned.
FORM GUIDE
Milan
May 9 v Genoa (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)
May 1 v Fiorentina (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)
April 24 v Palermo (A) - LOST 3-1 (Serie A)
April 18 v Sampdoria (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)
April 11 v Catania (H) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)
Juventus
May 9 v Parma (H) - LOST 3-2 (Serie A)
May 2 v Catania (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)
April 25 v Bari (H) - WON 3-0 (Serie A)
April 15 v Inter (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)
April 11 v Cagliari (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)
TEAM NEWS
Milan
Beckham, Kaladze and Oddo are out, Seedorf, Thiago Silva and Favalli are struggling with injuries and Flamini is suspended.
Probable Lineup (4-2-1-3): Dida, Zambrotta, Thiago Motta, Favalli, Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho
Juventus
Chimenti, Giovinco, Sissoko, De Ceglie and Zebina are out. Diego, Del Piero, Marchisio, Chiellini and Zebina are doubtful.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Buffon, Caceres, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; Felipe Melo, Poulsen, Candreva; Diego; Iaquinta, Del Piero
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alexandre Pato (Milan)
The young striker is not going to be part of the Brazilian squad that will feature in the World Cup finals in South Africa in the summer. Pato, placed 137th in the Castrol Rankings, has been in excellent form in the past two seasons in spite of his injuries and he will be looking to add to the 12 goals he has scored this campaign and end 2009-2010 on a high.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
The Italian international centre-back was one of the few Juventus players who performed decently against Parma last weekend. Chiellini has been Juventus’ best player in 2009-2010 and he will have to be on full alert against a potentially threatening Milan attackline on Saturday night.
PREDICTION
Milan have a strong home record and Juventus have stuttered in recent times. A Milan victory looks likely but don’t be too surprised if the Bianconeri garner a point at the San Siro.
Milan 2-0 Juventus
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