Soccer: Milan eyes Chievo
AC look to bounce back from Old Trafford defeat
12 March, 15:54
(ANSA) - Rome, March 12 - AC Milan is looking to forget its
4-0 defeat at Old Trafford Wednesday by keeping up the pressure
on Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the title race."I'm sure we'll bounce back like we did in 2004," CEO Adriano Galliani said, referring to another record thumping, at Deportivo La Coruna, from which Milan recovered to win the scudetto.
"You can't judge this team on one game alone," said coach Leonardo.
"We'll be focused on the scudetto from here on in".
But AC's morale received another hammer blow Friday when defensive linchpin Alessandro Nesta was ruled out, possibly for the rest of the season, by a knee tendon rupture.
Nesta was badly missed at the heart of the defence Wednesday as Manchester United's two-goal hero Wayne Rooney ran riot.
Pato was also badly needed by a toothless Milan attack and will still be out for Sunday night's match against 10th-placed Chievo.
Coach Leonardo is likely to keep faith with the front line that was snuffed out by the Utd defence, with Jan-Klaas Huntelaar supporting Marco Borriello and Ronaldinho trying to set things up.
David Beckham, who showed his persistent threat in a nostalgic run-out Wednesday, is expected to take over the right side of midfield from Mathieu Flamini.
Milan are hoping Inter won't have extended their four-point lead to seven by winning at Catania Friday night in a match brought forward to give the Nerazzurri time to prepare for their visit to Chelsea on Tuesday.
Mario Balotelli has a knee niggle so Samuel Eto'o will partner Diego Milito up front.
Balotelli has also been at the centre of another alleged misunderstanding with coach Jose' Mourinho over whether he had a fever or not during last week's goalless draw with Genoa.
The 19-year-old Italy Under-21 striker has taken on a new agent who La Gazzetta dello Sport said Friday is threatening to get Balotelli out of his contract as he did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Swede's move to Barcelona last year.
Roma, three points behind Milan in third after holding them to a 0-0 draw at the Olimpico last week, are still without Francesco Totti for their visit to 18th-placed Livorno Sunday. But Luca Toni, who threw his weight around effectively after coming on against Milan, will be aiming to continue his bid for a place in Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad.
Fourth-placed Palermo, six points behind Roma, travel to 15th-placed Udinese with Fabrizio Miccoli hoping to continue his rich vein of form.
Juventus, two points behind Palermo in fifth, host 20th and bottom club Siena with Vincenzo Iaquinta back leading the attack and eager to clinch his place in the World Cup line-up. Other matches (Sunday 14:00 GMT unless otherwise stated).
Bologna (13th) - Sampdoria (6th) Lazio (17th) - Bari (10th) Genoa (8th) - Cagliari (8th) Napoli (7th) - Fiorentina (10th) (Saturday 17:00 GMT) Parma (13th) - Atalanta (19th) photo: Leonardo
