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Serie A Preview: Milan - Cagliari

The Rossoneri will be looking to end the visitors’ recent good form and keep in touch with the league leaders…

Nov 20, 2009 11:46:31 AM

Leonardo-Ronaldinho-Pato - Milan (Getty Images)

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Leonardo-Ronaldinho-Pato - Milan (Getty Images)

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Kick Off: Sunday, November 22, 15:00 CET
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan

Rejuvenated Rossoneri

After an awful start to the season that saw Leonardo’s job on the line, results have improved for Milan in recent weeks. In Alessandro Nesta’s words, “Milan have recovered”. Such has been the scale of recovery, the likes of Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta and Clarence Seedorf have announced that the Rossoneri are aiming to win the Scudetto, despite the fact that they remain seven points off the lead.

There is also still room for improvement front of goal for Milan, who have scored just 14 times in Serie A this term – less than half of Inter’s total (29). Alexandre Pato scored a brace against a local side during the international break and will look to continue his recent good form for the Diavoli, while Marco Borriello’s return from injury is also an important factor.

The Rossoneri’s return to prominence has largely been credited to Leonardo’s decision to employ an ultra-offensive 4-3-3 formation, while Ronaldinho has stated that working with the Brazilian coach is “stimulating”. It is a far cry from this time last month, when it was reported that Leonardo had two games with which to save his job.

There is little to suggest that Milan cannot maintain their current form. Since losing against FC Zurich in the Champions League, Milan are on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions. They could also potentially secure their progression to the next phase of the Champions League with a win against Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday.

Islanders On A Roll

Cagliari have really begun to find some form in recent weeks, winning their last four games in a row. Moreover, they have not conceded in their last three and have picked up wins over the Genoese duo and Lazio – teams who would expect to be in the top half by the end of the season.

Sunday’s match against Milan will be another stern test for the Rossoblu. Since winning promotion back to Serie A in 2003-04, Cagliari have picked up a meagre two points against the Rossoneri. Despite the hapless record, Alessandro Matri insists that the Isolani will be fearless against Milan.

Although they have picked up some impressive results in recent weeks, the Rossoblu will not have forgotten the fact that they only managed one point from games against Livorno, Siena and Chievo Verona earlier this season. Massimiliano Allegri has stressed that his team’s primary aim is still to avoid relegation, and they will have to pick up points against the league’s weaker sides if they are to achieve this.

While they are only two points off a Champions League place, Allegri and his team know that the league is still very evenly balanced. Both the coach and the players have been insisting that their primary aim is to reach 40 points as quickly as possible. Then they will re-evaluate their targets as they look to improve on last season’s ninth place finish.

FORM GUIDE

Milan

November 8 v Lazio (A) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

November 3 v Real Madrid (H) – DREW 1-1 (Champions League)

October 31 v Parma (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

October 28 v Napoli (A) – DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

October 25 v Chievo Verona (A) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

Cagliari

November 8 v Sampdoria (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

November 1 v Atalanta (H) – WON 3-0 (Serie A)

October 28 v Lazio (A) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)

October 25 v Genoa (H) – WON 3-2 (Serie A)

October 18 v Catania (A) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Alessandro Nesta must serve a one-match ban, while Marek Jankulovski, Oguchi Onyewu and Daniele Bonera are still sidelined. Gennaro Gattuso is back on the treatment table, but Davide Di Gennaro is available.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Dida; Oddo, Kaladze, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho.

Cagliari

Influential playmaker Andrea Cossu is suspended for the clash. Francesco Pisano and Lino Marzoratti are injured.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Canini, Astori, Lopez, Agostini; Dessena, Conti, Biondini; Jeda; Matri, Nene.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alexandre Pato (Milan)

Despite his seven goals this season, Pato was omitted from Dunga’s Brazil squad last week. The 20-year-old will be looking to demonstrate that he is worthy of a place in the Selecao’s next get together by adding to his tally against the Isolani.

Jeda (Cagliari)

With Cossu suspended, the creative burden will fall on the 30-year-old Brazilian. He has scored three goals for his side already this season, but he will also need to link the two strikers with the midfield if Cagliari are to have any success in the San Siro.

PREDICTION

Milan have a good record against Cagliari, and this is likely to continue when the sides meet on Sunday.

Milan 2-0 Cagliari

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

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