Serie A: Improving Milan set sights on Fiorentina

godtabh

Preview

MILAN, Jan 31 (Reuters) - AC Milan's ascent towards a Champions League qualifying spot reaches a crucial point this weekend when they visit fourth-placed Fiorentina.


The European champions endured a wretched first half of the season but are now up to sixth following their fourth league win in five matches since the midseason break.


Alberto Gilardino's header gave Milan a 1-0 win at Reggina on Wednesday in their penultimate game in hand, which was postponed in December when they won the Club World Cup in Japan.

Now Milan can cut the gap with Fiorentina to four points with a victory on Sunday (1930 GMT), knowing they have another game in hand at home to Livorno on Feb. 13.

'I must say that since the break we have been doing really well, but we're not yet in top shape. We will get there soon,' Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

Fiorentina, slightly fortunate to gain points in recent weeks, surprisingly lost 2-1 at home to Lazio on Wednesday to bow out of the Italian Cup quarter-finals. They may feel now is not the best time to meet a resurgent Milan.

Leaders Inter Milan, five ahead of second-placed AS Roma and 20 clear of Milan, host struggling Empoli on Sunday (1400) on the back on Wednesday's thrilling 3-2 Italian Cup quarter-final win at rivals Juventus.

Two goals from 17-year-old youth team striker Mario Balotelli grabbed the headlines but he is highly unlikely to feature in the league anytime soon with boss Roberto Mancini careful to protect his youngsters.

Inter failed to win for the first time in nine Serie A games when they drew 0-0 at Udinese last Sunday after having winger Cesar sent off.

His absence against Empoli will be mitigated by their midfield injury problems steadily improving.

Roma visit relegation-threatened Siena (1400) while struggling city rivals Lazio hope to be buoyed by their qualification for the Italian Cup semi-finals when they host Sampdoria.

Fifth-placed Udinese travel to mid-table Napoli on Saturday (1930) and Juventus, in third, host Cagliari on Sunday with new signing Mohamed Sissoko possibly available after Mali went out of the African Nations Cup.

Saturday, February 2, 2008
TIME HOME AWAY VENUE
17:00 UK Palermo v Livorno Renzo Barbera
19:30 UK Napoli v Udinese Stadio San Paolo

Sunday, February 3, 2008
TIME HOME AWAY VENUE
14:00 UK Genoa v Catania Calcio Comunale Luigi Ferraris
14:00 UK Inter Milan v Empoli Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
14:00 UK Juventus v Cagliari Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
14:00 UK Lazio v Sampdoria Stadio Olimpico
14:00 UK Parma v Atalanta Stadio Ennio Tardini
14:00 UK Reggina v Torino Stadio Oreste Granillo
14:00 UK Siena v Roma Artemio Franchi Montepaschi Arena
19:30 UK Fiorentina v AC Milan Artemio Franchi

godtabh

Roma hammered. Juve draw. Inter win. Happy days

Mr. Presentable

kearnsr wrote: »

Inter win. Happy days

Through another disgraceful penalty award. A lot of dirt still in Italian football.

Melion

Pato scored again

Mr. Presentable

La Gazzetta dello Sport has created an alternative Serie A table
where refereeing errors are "corrected".

As controversy rages over alleged `favouritism' in Inter's favour and
confidence in the officials plummets, a survey was undertaken to see
which sides have suffered the most at the hands of the referees.

Research showed that Milan had been treated most harshly and would be
sitting in fourth place, were it not for questionable decisions.

Inter were awarded eight points fewer after review and lose their
supremacy at the top to Juve, who have benefited six times from
errors but been unjustly penalised on nine occasions.

La Gazzetta dello Sport's Serie A table:
Juventus 48 points
Inter 45
Roma 45
Milan 41
Fiorentina 36
Atalanta 33
Palermo 28
Sampdoria 28
Udinese 28
Napoli 27
Genoa 26
Reggina 25
Lazio 24
Livorno 23
Catania 21
Siena 21
Parma 19
Torino 18
Cagliari 16
Empoli 15

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb5d.html