Serie A Preview: Milan-Juventus
10/29/2005 9:11:00 AM
This may only be the tenth match-day of the campaign, but some fans and also those who are impartial see this fixture as a prelude to who will win Lo Scudetto at season’s end. The clubs themselves, however, do not see it this way at all.
BACKGROUND
Memories of the two encounters between these sides during last season immediately come to mind, with both holding a certain amount of significance. The first match, on December 18, 2004 (at Juve’s Stadio Delle Alpi), was a very entertaining scoreless draw, but Milan clearly played better, and came within inches of scoring on several occasions. Then, in the return-fixture in late May at Milan’s Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, or as it is affectionately known, the San Siro (where the current match at hand takes place), it was all still left to play for, with Milan and Juventus level on points at the top of the table. Fresh off their advancement to the Champions League final by defeating PSV Eindhoven (albeit only by the skin of their teeth), Milan carried that very same form into the match against Juve, and were beaten 1-0. The victory came by virtue of a spectacular overhead-kick from Alessandro Del Piero, which caught the Milan defense napping, and was then headed into the net by David Trezeguet in the 27th minute. Milan pushed for an equalizer, but could not get through the Bianconeri rearguard. Subsequently, Juventus went on to win the title a few weeks later, and Milan finished the season empty-handed.
Now, Milan have a new season to put past failures behind them, or so they thought. In the lead-up to this weekend’s match, many questions about the defeat of last season continue to surface. Despite denial from members of both clubs that it has any bearing on what is to occur in the future, the players and coaches have had to address it, even if only briefly. The date May 8, 2005 (when Juve defeated Milan) keeps coming up, and it must remind the Rossoneri somewhat of the feelings they experienced when they could not get away from the constant questioning about their collapse in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
Milan have won their last six Serie A matches, and their form is improving daily. The main question for the Rossoneri in this match is: can they defeat a side like Juventus without a fully-fit squad? Captain Paolo Maldini will return to the lineup, after sitting out the win over Empoli on Wednesday. Another player coming back into the fold is fellow-defender Alessandro Nesta, who sustained an injury to his left fore finger several weeks ago on international duty. Several doubts include Jaap Stam, Massimo Ambrosini, and Andriy Shevchenko. Stam has a thigh injury, and may make the substitutes bench, while Ambrosini will not be available. Shevchenko injured his heel and ankle against PSV Eindhoven ten days ago, and the decision on whether to field him will not be made until further testing.
Juventus are in terrific form, as they have started the season with nine wins on the trot in domestic competition. The lone blemish on their season was the 2-1 loss in Munich, Germany to Bayern in the Champions League. Otherwise, the Bianconeri have basically swept aside any and all challengers. A big reason for this has been the added depth to their attack. Alessandro Del Piero has seen a return to the form of old, and Adrian Mutu has filled in well when needed. Another key addition was that of Patrick Vieira who, after coming to Turin on the cheap from Arsenal, has quickly built a solid central-midfield partnership with the gritty-Brazilian Emerson. Both players are tough-tackling intimidators who have a flare for the attack.
On the other hand, not all agree with the supposed formidability of this central-midfield pairing. Milan attacking-midfielder Kakà recently spoke about these two players, saying: “Juve are a really great side especially in defence but the Champions League defeat in Munich proved they are not invincible," he opined. "Emerson and Vieira are good players but both have some weaknesses. I will be looking to make space.”
An interesting piece of news is that goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will not play in this match, and the reason is two-fold. First of all, he has tonsillitis. Second, and most importantly, he has personal motives which prevent him from playing against Milan (he is currently on-loan to Juventus from Milan).
And so, we can now bask in the glow which radiates from the quality these two squads possess.
TEAM NEWS
Milan will have the returned-services of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, but will definitely be without Jaap Stam and Massimo Ambrosini. Andriy Shevchenko is also very doubtful.
Juventus will get Patrick Vieira back in the lineup, after he had some time out because of an abdominal-injury. There are no other serious injury concerns, besides the long-term exceptions of Gianluigi Buffon and Jonathan Zebina.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kakà (Milan)
After he made the claims of weakness in the Juventus midfield, he had better back it up with his play. He should expect to see (and feel) a lot of late tackles, courtesy of Emerson and Vieira.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
This Swede is not your typical center-forward. While he does have the desired height, his dribbling skills make him a terror for any defense. Against Milan, he may be able to get behind the aging and not completely-healthy backline.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s
Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafù, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Gilardino, Inzaghi
Juventus (4-4-2):
Chimenti; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet
PREDICTION
The players will use the comments of the press and the other side as serious motivation to prove how good they are, worthy of the consideration they receive from many. With the midfield battle likely to be a dogfight, the play on the wings will be instrumental in determining the outcome, specifically the service provided for the strikers. A tight match is on the cards, and one mistake or moment of brilliance shall decide the result.
Milan 1-0 Juventus
Joel Whitehead
l
? why ?!
