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Serie A Preview: Roma - Milan
A hugely crucial and entertaining game is in store in Rome.....
| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £15.00 | Draw £37.50 | Parma £60.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £15.30 | Draw £37.50 | Parma £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £15.00 | Draw £38.00 | Parma £65.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £15.70 | Draw £37.50 | Parma £60.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £14.50 | Draw £38.00 | Parma £68.00 |
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Mar 5, 2010 1:57:00 PM
By Mondal Subhankar
Picking Themselves Up Roma have been struggling of late and have been dropping points and losing matches too. They lost both legs in their Europa League tie against Panathinaikos and drew 2-2 with Napoli in Naples last weekend. In their previous league match, they had narrowly defeated Catania 1-0 and the suspicion is that the Giallorossi have lost their sheen in recent weeks. At the moment Roma are third in the league standings with 51 points from 26 matches, three points behind second-placed Milan and a further four off Inter, who lead the table. Coach Ranieri is probably not very keen on winning the Scudetto this camapign but he will certainly like to finish second. However, a defeat on Saturday night could just put flight to that dream as Milan will go a massive seven points clear of the Giallorossi. But Roma do have a great record at the Stadio Olimpico as they have won 11 of the 13 league fixtures in front of their own supporters. Trimming The Gap Milan received a huge boost on Thursday when it was anounced that star striker Alexandre Pato will be back for their Champions League clash with Manchester United. Although the Brazilian international hitman is out for Saturday night's fixture with Roma, this piece of news will certainly increase their motivation and confidence. Milan are currently second in Serie A with 54 points from 26 matches, four points off the pace. Last weekend the Rossoneri comfortably defeated Atalanta 3-1 at home and in the league game prior to that scored two late goals to defeat Fiorentina 2-1 in Florence. Leonardo's side have looked good away from home too as they have won seven out of 13 league games on the roads. FORM GUIDE
Roma February 28 v Naples (A) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A) February 25 v Panathinaikos (H) - LOST 3-2 (Europa League) February 21 v Catania (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A) February 18 v Panathinaikos (A) - LOST 3-2 (Europa League) Milan
February 28 v Atalanta (H) - WON 3-1 (Serie A) February 24 v Fiorentina (A) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
February 22 v Bari (A) - WON 2-0 (Serie A) February 16 v Manchester United (H) - LOST 3-2 (Champions League) February 12 v Udinese (H) - WON 3-2 (Serie A) TEAM NEWS
Roma Totti is a confirmed absentee while Mexes, Perrotta and De Rossi look doubtful. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Julio Sergio, Burdisso, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Pizarro, De Rossi; Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic; Toni Milan Onyewu, Seedorf, Antonini and Pato are unavailable for the trip to Rome while Seedorf and Thiago Silva have injury concers. Gattuso is suspended. Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Abbiati, Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Mancini, Borriello, Ronaldinho PLAYERS TO WATCH Luca Toni (Roma) The giant Italian international striker has been suffering with injuries recently but is set to start against Milan. Toni has scored twice in four league appearances for the Giallorossi since joining them from Bayern Munich on loan in January. The former Fiorentina striker has the experience of playing in Serie A and against a Milan defence that does not always look very confident, the 32-year-old will be hoping to score a goal.
Ronaldinho (Milan) The Brazilian was again at the heart of all moves that Milan created against Atalanta last weekend and gave two assists in their 3-1 win. At the moment Ronaldinho, placed at 316 in the Castrol Rankings, has nine goals and 12 assists to his name and he is having a sensational and rejuvenatory campaign this term. His link-up plays and through balls could destroy Roma on Saturday night. PREDICTION Roma's home form suggests that they will not be beaten but Milan are in a great run of results at the moment and they know that a vctory could put them just a soliary point off the top should Inter lose on Sunday. Moreover, with Totti out, the hosts will find it difficult to create chances and creating chances is something that Milan and Ronaldinho excel in. Roma 1-2 MilanKick Off: Saturday, March 6, 2010, 20:45 CET.
Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
February 13 v Palermo (H) - WON 4-1 (Serie A)
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11:22 PM GMT
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
11:18 PM GMT
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
11:06 PM GMT
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
10:55 PM GMT
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
10:45 PM GMT
Urby Emanuelson has also spoken, revealing that he thinks Milan can win the Champions League based on tonight's performance:
“We played wonderfully tonight, and Ibra was amazing. Everyone talks about Barcelona and Madrid, but if we always play like tonight we could win this competition.
“You have to consider that we still have a lot of injuries. Look what Boateng did after just coming back – that speaks volumes.
“When everyone is available for selection, I'm sure we can win the Champions League.”
“We played wonderfully tonight, and Ibra was amazing. Everyone talks about Barcelona and Madrid, but if we always play like tonight we could win this competition.
“You have to consider that we still have a lot of injuries. Look what Boateng did after just coming back – that speaks volumes.
“When everyone is available for selection, I'm sure we can win the Champions League.”
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