Milan need only a point against Roma at the Olimpico to win their eighteenth and Massimiliano Allegri's first Scudetto.
The month of May that stretches before Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri must exhilarate even him. In the last nine months, Allegri has negotiated the onerous pressure of a new high-profile job, player egos, and, perhaps his signal achievement, a two-point gap going into a late-season Milan derby with equanimity that would edify even Jose Mourinho.
Now, with Allegri's first and Milan's eighteenth Scudetto imminent, and a Coppa Italia final berth eminently achievable, Allegri is perhaps finally feeling the magnitude of what he has managed in his first season with a 'big' club. Only a point and an unpredictable Roma lie between Milan and their first Scudetto in seven years. For Allegri to inherit a brand new team that was stirring to take shape for most of the fall and still manage to lead the Serie A since November is proof that the 'coach of the year' accolades he earned for his work with Cagliari last year and the year before were genuinely deserved.
Roma, meanwhile, have the Champions League spot to play for, a spot currently occupied by their loathed rivals Lazio. Lazio owner Claudio Lotito recently sneered at Roma's American takeover, pointing out that despite the upheaval and fuss, it was his team that was still closer to the Champions League than Roma. He must be starting to regret that statement given Lazio's quivering grip on fourth place. If Lazio squander points in their pivotal game against Udinese, and Roma manage to get something out of their clash with Milan, both Roma and Udinese will be the favourites over Lazio to clinch the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Team news
Roma- Coach Vincenzo Montella may start with Marco Borriello and Francesco Totti together. Indeed, it was Borriello, still owned by Milan, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture. Mirko Vucinic and Rodrigo Taddei will play behind the forwards, and Simplicio may come in for the suspended Simone Perrotta. Daniele De Rossi is also suspended, so Matteo Brighi and Claudio Pizarro will be in midfield. Cassetti, Juan, Burdisso, and Riise will line up in defence in front of Doni.
Roma won a bizarre encounter with Bari last weekend by scoring in the last seconds of the match. Totti scored a brace and missed a penalty, while De Rossi and Perrotta were sent off. Roma's ability to self-destruct seldom disappoints, but they somehow managed to salvage a point from a critical match.
Milan- Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns for Milan after serving a ban for insulting an official, and Gennaro Gattuso and Alexandre Pato are back in contention having recovered from injuries. Though Pato resumed training with the team, Allegri is more likely to bring him on as a substitute, opting instead for Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Kevin-Prince Boateng will be the playmaker behind them, while Gennaro Gattuso, Mark van Bommel (who is also returning from suspension) and Clarence Seedorf will comprise the midfield. Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will play behind Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, and Gianluca Zambrotta.
Milan have won five of their last five, but their last outing against Bologna could easily have been a draw. Allegri will want his side to keep focus, and take the many chances they always manage to create and miss.
Stats since May 2, 2004
Milan clinched their last Scudetto on May 2, 2004 by beating Roma at the San Siro. However, since then, both teams have played each other thirteen times, and Roma have won six of the encounters, and Milan have only managed to win three. Four games have ended in a draw. Tomorrow's game, therefore, is likely to be arduous for Milan.
Prediction
Milan want to win the Scudetto in style and not just with a draw. They also have most of their players back. 1-0 Milan.
Hasan Saiyid blogs at www.notevenanoriundo.com. You can also find him on twitter: twitter.com/notevenoriundo
Now, with Allegri's first and Milan's eighteenth Scudetto imminent, and a Coppa Italia final berth eminently achievable, Allegri is perhaps finally feeling the magnitude of what he has managed in his first season with a 'big' club. Only a point and an unpredictable Roma lie between Milan and their first Scudetto in seven years. For Allegri to inherit a brand new team that was stirring to take shape for most of the fall and still manage to lead the Serie A since November is proof that the 'coach of the year' accolades he earned for his work with Cagliari last year and the year before were genuinely deserved.
Roma, meanwhile, have the Champions League spot to play for, a spot currently occupied by their loathed rivals Lazio. Lazio owner Claudio Lotito recently sneered at Roma's American takeover, pointing out that despite the upheaval and fuss, it was his team that was still closer to the Champions League than Roma. He must be starting to regret that statement given Lazio's quivering grip on fourth place. If Lazio squander points in their pivotal game against Udinese, and Roma manage to get something out of their clash with Milan, both Roma and Udinese will be the favourites over Lazio to clinch the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Team news
Roma- Coach Vincenzo Montella may start with Marco Borriello and Francesco Totti together. Indeed, it was Borriello, still owned by Milan, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture. Mirko Vucinic and Rodrigo Taddei will play behind the forwards, and Simplicio may come in for the suspended Simone Perrotta. Daniele De Rossi is also suspended, so Matteo Brighi and Claudio Pizarro will be in midfield. Cassetti, Juan, Burdisso, and Riise will line up in defence in front of Doni.
Roma won a bizarre encounter with Bari last weekend by scoring in the last seconds of the match. Totti scored a brace and missed a penalty, while De Rossi and Perrotta were sent off. Roma's ability to self-destruct seldom disappoints, but they somehow managed to salvage a point from a critical match.
Milan- Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns for Milan after serving a ban for insulting an official, and Gennaro Gattuso and Alexandre Pato are back in contention having recovered from injuries. Though Pato resumed training with the team, Allegri is more likely to bring him on as a substitute, opting instead for Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Kevin-Prince Boateng will be the playmaker behind them, while Gennaro Gattuso, Mark van Bommel (who is also returning from suspension) and Clarence Seedorf will comprise the midfield. Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati will play behind Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, and Gianluca Zambrotta.
Milan have won five of their last five, but their last outing against Bologna could easily have been a draw. Allegri will want his side to keep focus, and take the many chances they always manage to create and miss.
Stats since May 2, 2004
Milan clinched their last Scudetto on May 2, 2004 by beating Roma at the San Siro. However, since then, both teams have played each other thirteen times, and Roma have won six of the encounters, and Milan have only managed to win three. Four games have ended in a draw. Tomorrow's game, therefore, is likely to be arduous for Milan.
Prediction
Milan want to win the Scudetto in style and not just with a draw. They also have most of their players back. 1-0 Milan.
Hasan Saiyid blogs at www.notevenanoriundo.com. You can also find him on twitter: twitter.com/notevenoriundo
