Milan vs Catania Preview

Milan vs Catania Preview
Probable Line-Ups:

AC Milan (4-4-3) – Massimiliano Allegri
Christian Abbiati; Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, Luca Antonini; Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf; Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho.

Calcio Catania (4-3-1-2) – Marco Giampaolo
Mariano Andujar; Ciro Capuano, Nicolás Spolli, Matías Silvestre, Alessandro Potenza; Marco Biagianti, Ezequiel Carboni, Mariano Izco; Adrian Ricchiuti; Giuseppe Mascara; Maxi López.

The Rossoneri will be trying to stay on the right track and win this match. Once again, less than three points would be surprising and disappointing.

The Rossazzurri have a lot to give, as with players like Maxi Lopez, they would be able to surprise the “Milanticos” tomorrow night.

The last time Milan faced Catania it was 11/4/2010. Maxi López scored first (12′) for Catania and Adrian Ricchiuti doubled it (43′). In the second half, Milan bounced back with Marco Borriello’s brace (48′, 80′).

Milan have played only three official matches this season and already from the beginning, you could see the same old problems in defense and midfield.

Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva played only once together, but for Catania match, they are expected to play, with Gianluca Zambrotta or Daniele Bonera as right-back and Luca Antonini on the left.

With Massimo Ambrosini out injured, Kevin-Prince Boateng will take his place in midfield. The Ghanaian played a very good match in the midweek Champions League match against Auxerre, and he will start along with Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf, as Mathieu Flamini is still injured.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still not at his best but he’s already got off the mark with a brace against the French side on Wednesday, as Ronaldinho was the main player in the set-up of the goals. Alexandre Pato is out for three weeks and Robinho will replace him in 4-3-3.

Milan were not brilliant, but still effective against Auxerre. They remain Scudetto contenders despite last week’s 2-0 defeat to A.C. Cesena, and they will try to leapfrog Inter, who are one point ahead.

Star Man: Ibrahimovic is a great striker, but still, Ronaldinho is Milan’s star man for this match. When the Brazilian is good, the players around him are good. Ronie must try to play like he did against Lecce, and if he does that, victory is almost guaranteed.

Injury List: Ambrosini, Flamini and Pato are out. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is doubtful.

Catania have not yet reached the full potential, as this is only the start of the season. Coming off as clear underdogs, the Rossazzurri will still be playing for all the three points and will definitely not only defend.

Marco Giampaolo’s side beat Parma 2-1 last week, but it took two penalties, which were scored by Mirko Antenucci and Giuseppe Mascara. Giampaolo knows his men must improve.

“We suffered out there today,” Giampaolo declared after Parma match. “I am aware we need to improve in all areas. Our physical condition is still not what it should be and the sharpness is still yet to arrive. Nevertheless, the three points are very precious because they bring moral to the group. I am happy for the boys, but I don’t want to settle for this as we still need to step up a level.”

Catania are South America, as they have 11 players from Argentina and one from Brazil. They have always caused problems for Milan, as last season they were in 2-0 lead before Marco Borriello scored a brace.

Star Man: Maxi Lopez is still out of form. The Argentine was the hero of last season when he arrived in January and scored 11 goals in 17 matches. Despite not scoring yet this year, Lopez is Catania’s most important man. He’s expected to start alongside Giuseppe Mascara and Adrian Ricchiuti.

Injury List: Fabio Sciacca, Cristian Llama and Blazej Augustin are unavailable.