Preview: ACF Fiorentina – AC Milan, Reduction In Process?

ACF FIORENTINA will host AC MILAN on Saturday night as both sides want to prove that the last defeat has not been effective and would like to claim three points before the Christmas break.

From the 9th place of the Serie A, Fiorentina will go on the pitch of Stadio Artemio Franchi when they know that a win, could theoretically take them all the way to the fifth place in the standing. However, they face a tough side.

The Rossoneri are now placed in second place, with 31 points, five points behind league champions and leaders Inter Milan, but only one point ahead of Juventus. A lose, however, would might take them to the fourth place.

David Beckham: AC Milan Saver?
CL Draw: AC Milan – Manchester United F.C.

The last time these two sides met each other it was on May 31. Kaká scored in the 55th minute and Pato netted in the 76th minute, as they gave Milan the qualification to the 2009/2010 Champions League.

The Viola’s good run has stopped last weekend, when they lost, against all the odds, to Chievo Verona. Riccardo Montolivo of Fiorentina opened the scoring but Giampiero Pinzi and Gennaro Sardo completed the revolution.

The Flying Donkeys surprised everyone, and prevented the Gigliati to reach full three points – three points that would send them some spots ahead. However, following the defeat, Fiore slipped down to the ninth place.

Fiorentina in fact, had a very g0od run in the Champions League, finished first in a tough group, which included Olympique Lyonnais, Liverpool F.C. and Debreceni VSC. There they scored 14 goals and conceded only seven.

The Viola have been drawn against Bayern Munich, but the match will take place only at February, so Cesare Prandelli’s men will be well-focused on AC Milan clash, which is the last before the break.

Prandelli’s team is a one that comes ready for big matches, faced a good opponent to Inter Milan, beat Liverpool in the Champions League as well as Udinese away.

Fiorentina’s home record is pretty good, overpowered five of their eight opponents at Stadio Artemio Franchi, while Milan’s display away requires improvement. They also have good defensive record, conceding 15 goals in 16 matches.

Cesare Prandelli has called up these 19 players: Agey, Avramov, Babacar, Castillo, Comotto, Dainelli, De Silvestri, Donadel, Frey, Gilardino, Gobbi, Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Montolivo, Mutu, Natali, Pasqual, Santana, Vargas. Marchionni, Gamberini, Zanetti are injured.

As well as the hosts, the good run of the Rossoneri came to an end last weekend, when Palermo stunned Milan with two goals. Fabrizio Miccoli scored four minutes into the second half, and Mark Bresciano scored next in 62′.

il Diavolo have not lose for 13 matches, but that is all came to nothing when the referee blew his whistles to end the clash. Leonardo said Milan fought until the end, but that was really not enough.

Leo has rallied for the match against Fiorentina, saying that he still not sure of his formation. Milan used to play 4-2-1-3 in the last weeks, but a change could be observed today.

The last time Milan visited Florence, it was the last match of the Serie A 08/09. It was also the last match of Carlo Ancelotti on the sidelines and the last day of Paolo Maldini’s career, as well as Leonardo’s first day at work.

Leo has improved a lot, and a victory over the Viola could see them only two points off-Inter, of course, if the Nerazzuri drop points at Stadio San Siro against S.S. Lazio. Juventus meanwhile will face Catania.

Nevertheless, if Milan would not win, and loss, the Rossoneri can finish fourth in the standing, as they are only three points away from Parma. The Rossoneri must be careful against Fiorentina and the consequences of this match could be very important.

Milan have a record of 3-2-1 against Fiorentina in the last six matches away and they would like to keep the record to their favor at 20:45at Fiorentina stadium.

Leonardo called up these 20 players: Dida, Roma, Storari, Antonini, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Zambrotta, Abate, Ambrosini, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Borriello, Inzaghi, Huntelaar, Pato, Ronaldinho. Bonera, Oddo, Thiago Silva, Onyewu, Di Gennaro are injured.

By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog