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Serie A Preview: AC Milan - Bari

The hosts must pick up three points to get their season back on track against the southerners…

Sep 25, 2009 4:00:12 PM

Clarence Seedorf - Milan-Bologna - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

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Clarence Seedorf - Milan-Bologna - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

Teams

Bari
Milan

Kick Off: Sunday, September 27, 20:45 CET
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan

Three Points Vital For Milan

Robert Louis Stevenson would be proud of the Jekyll and Hyde performances of the Rossoneri players so far this season. Milan have somehow been able to plunge to the depths of a 4-0 derby defeat, then find a good performance to beat Olympique Marseille in the Champions League, before losing against Udinese in midweek.

Fans are becoming frustrated with the team and their rookie coach, Leonardo, who has yet to show that he is up to the task of guiding one of the world’s most famous teams to any silverware this season. Summer signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has failed to find the net for Milan yet, while Alexandre Pato has been disappointing since scoring a brace against Siena.

The lack of pace in the team is a problem that must be addressed by Leonardo, and Ignazio Abate is one option which has not been tested at length so far. Ronaldinho is another enigma, showing against Siena and Udinese that he still has the brains to play to a high level. However, some shambolic performances in other matches have suggested that he may be too much of a risk, and Corinthians are reportedly looking to sign ‘Ronnie’ in January.

Milan have a good record against Bari, having scored 12 goals against the Galletti in their last four meetings, although the most recent of these encounters was in March 2001. Historically, the Rossoneri have been dominant at San Siro, winning 23 of their 28 encounters, and another victory is a necessity on Sunday night.

Return To San Siro

Bari have already made the trip to San Siro once this season, picking up a very respectable point in a 1-1 draw with Inter. Since then they have got off to a solid start to life in Serie A, playing out two further draws and thrashing Atalanta before succumbing to their first defeat last Wednesday.

Despite this, Giampiero Ventura will be fairly happy with the Galletti’s opening few fixtures. The southern side sit in 12th place in the table, which they will hope to improve on with upcoming fixtures against the likes of Catania and Chievo Verona.

However, they must first face a Milan side that has struggled in recent weeks. Ventura will take heart from his side’s performance against the Nerazzurri, and will certainly have looked at the effectiveness of Livorno’s stifling tactics that saw them come away with a 0-0 draw against the Diavoli.

Bari’s fluid passing game will give them the confidence to attack Milan, particularly down the flanks, but they must avoid giving the hosts too much respect. While they may not have started the season well, the Rossoneri still have quality within their squad and they will be going all out for the win on Sunday night.

FORM GUIDE

Milan

September 23 v Udinese (A) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

September 20 v Bologna (H) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)

September 15 v Olympique Marseille (A) – WON 2-1 (Champions League)

September 12 v Livorno (A) – DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

August 29 v Inter (H) – LOST 4-0 (Serie A)

Bari

September 23 v Cagliari (H) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

September 20 v Atalanta (H) – WON 4-1 (Serie A)

September 13 v Palermo (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

August 29 v Bologna (H) – DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

August 23 v Inter (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Mathieu Flamini is suspended for the clash, while Alexandre Pato will reportedly be benched. Daniele Bonera, Davide Di Gennaro, Christian Abbiati, Marco Borriello and Thiago Silva are all still sidelined.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Storari; Abate, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Ronaldinho, Huntelaar.

Bari

Alessandro Parisi and Riccardo Allegretti are both very doubtful for the clash, while young midfielder Yago Falque is also unavailable.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Gillet; A. Masiello, Ranocchia, Bonucci, S. Masiello; Alvarez, Donati, Gazzi, Rivas; Kutuzov, Barreto.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ronaldinho (Milan)

Ronaldinho must build on his promising performance after coming off the bench against Udinese to drive his team forward. While Clarence Seedorf should start behind the two strikers, the Brazilian’s set pieces and creativity will be crucial to the Rossoneri’s success.

Edgar Alvarez (Bari)

While Vitali Kutuzov will be looking for a goal against his former team, Alvarez will be the one to supply the crosses. The Honduran has a lot of pace to trouble the Milan backline, and has found the net himself this season with a strike against Atalanta.

PREDICTION

Despite picking up a draw at San Siro earlier this season, Milan should pull through this tie. Atalanta were in chaos when Bari ripped them apart, while their attacking play has been questionable in other matches.

Milan 2-0 Bari

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

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