DATE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2012
TIME: 1600 GMT
VENUE: Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma
After a morale boosting Allegri-less win over Cagliari on Wednesday; Il Diavoli travel to the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma to take on the Gialloblu. The mediocre start to the season really needs to be put behind us and the win on Wednesday should go a long way to giving the team the necessary confidence and ennui to tackle this fixture. The false dawn the win against Bologna brought is something we do not want repeated; though in hindsight we should have seen the highly fortuitous nature of that win was no turning point. Now this win has the ability to prove a real turning point and get this season back on track and a game away to Parma is not the worst challenge we could face right now.
The biggest story this week has obviously been the little Pharoah whose been all over the news after his well taken brace broke the San Zero curse. Italian media has even found a way to link the kid to Manchester United in one of the more bizarre off season rumours. Mauro Tassotti also received a lot of coverage for “leading” the team to its first home win, with some ridiculous suggestions that the credit should go to him rather than Allegri; God, what would we do without the press.
The amount of pressure this win has lifted off Allegri cannot be underestimated; but more importantly a level of consistency needs to be reached. We cannot survive on one win after every 3 games and though the title might be out of reach, 3rd place should be the very least we target and CONSISTENCY is the key word here.
TEAM NEWS
Il FARAONE; THE LITTLE 'SAVIOUR'
It hasn’t exactly been all rosy on the injury front but at least we’re not on last season proportions. Robinho returned with a late cameo against Cagliari and might receive a start for this one. Aside that there hasn’t been much change on that front and God don't we all hope it stays that way!!.
Apparently our very favourite 4-3-1-2 might just be headed towards extinction. With the team having lined up in 4-3-3 for a few times now and having tried a variant of the world famous 4-2-3-1 against Cagliari, these two might become the rule rather than the exception going forward; and I wouldn't mind one bit if that's the case. The 4-3-1-2 had outlived its usefulness and in such a team with less talent than before, especially with no proper trequartista and no Ibra to bail us out, a new and fresh approach was needed and I'm hoping this is it.
A 23 man squad has already been announced for the game tomorrow and a line-up like this can be...
EXPECTED(4-3-3)
Abbiati, Abate, Bonera, Mexes, De Sciglio, Montolivo, De Jong, Boateng, Robinho, El Shaarawy, Pazzini
Former great Donadoni is in charge of this Parma team and aside Manchester United, I know of no team whose former personnel give them easy games. This should be a pretty tough one and we just hope Mexes remembers to screw his head on before turning up for the game. Boateng for some reason would always play when available and it wouldn't be any surprising to see Antonini instead of the kid at left back.
It hasn't exactly been a great season so far and though the win in mid-week helped, it cannot be said that we are on the right track until we prove that with results. Tomorrow is a chance to do just that; and with a daunting trip to Russia awaiting in mid-week nothing but a morale boosting victory would do: over to you Massimiliano.
Oh,and do you wanna see Muntari with ridiculous blonde hair, of course you do
MATCH FACTS(via Whoscored.com)
AC Milan have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 4 matches against Parma in all competitions.
AC Milan have won their last 4 matches against Parma in all competitions.
AC Milan have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 matches against Parma in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Parma's last 7 games in Serie A.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in AC Milan's last 4 away games in Serie A.
Parma are undefeated in their last 7 home matches in Serie A.
AC Milan have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Parma in all competitions.
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