Time for ImprovementMilan are currently in a crisis (what’s new?), after losing their first two matches of the season. They must start playing better, and fast, because the Milan front house staff must be getting impatient, despite not having made any big decisions yet.
Amazingly, manager Carlo Ancelotti has kept his job, having looked certain to be given his walking papers following the 2-0 away defeat to Genoa on Sunday. The lineup was filled with the usual star names, but they were second-best to Genoa. This match was looked at as the final chance for Ancelotti to save himself, but his side failed miserably.
He was called in for a meeting with the Milan big shots, acting-president Adriano Galliani and his now-number-two Ariedo Braida among them. Ancelotti emerged from this meeting with his employment in tact, but one has to wonder just what was said in this meeting. Reports have come out since then that Braida was the most adamant about Ancelotti needing to be replaced, and that only Milan’s Technical Director of Operations, Leonardo, was in favor of keeping ‘Carletto.’
Whatever the actual events that took place, it seems as though this current period of poor play has split the Milan house into two camps: those who are pro-Ancelotti and those who are not.
Moving onto this match, Milan must come out with a good performance, as a poor showing in the UEFA Cup (Europe’s secondary club competition) will only make things worse for all parties.
Let the Good Times Roll
While Milan are facing a tumultuous period right now, FC Zurich have to be looking forward to this encounter with confidence. They have been in terrific form as of late, and could make a real statement about their abilities with a positive performance against the Italian giants.
Sitting in second place in the Swiss Super League standings, they are five points back of FC Basel, who happen to be one of only two clubs to have defeated them this season. Surely, the highlight of their season so far was their most recent match, a resounding 7-1 victory away to FC Vaduz. Incredibly, none of the eight goals scored in that match came in the first half. However, an offensive explosion that produced seven goals by Zurich in one half will give the side real confidence.
The Swiss side advanced to the current stage of the UEFA Cup by virtue of their victory over two legs against Sturm Graz of Austria. With both legs having finished at 1-1, extra time and then penalty kicks were needed to separate the sides. The Swiss advanced following the penalties, 4-2.
FORM GUIDE
Milan
21/08 (Friendly): Milan 0-0 Juventus (4-5 after penalties)
24/08 (Friendly): Sporting Gijon 2-0 Milan
31/08 (Serie A): Milan1-2 Bologna
10/09 (Friendly): Lugano 2-0 Milan
14/09 (Serie A): Genoa 2-0 Milan
Zurich
14/08 (UEFA Cup): Zurich 1-1 Sturm Graz
17/08 (Swiss Super League): Zurich 1-4 Basel
24/08 (Swiss Super League): Sion 1-3 Zurich
28/08 (UEFA Cup): Sturm Graz 1-1 Zurich (2-4 after penalties)
01/09 (Swiss Super League): Zurich 3-0 Bellinzona
14/09 (Swiss Super League): Vaduz 1-7 Zurich
TEAM NEWS
Milan
Kakà is going to be fielded behind two strikers because Milan’s Christmas tree formation (4-3-2-1) has clearly not worked this season. Early indications are that Nelson Dida will return between the sticks for Milan.
Alessandro Nesta is certain to miss out, as are Gennaro Gattuso, Filippo Inzaghi and Andrea Pirlo, all through injury. Also, Ronaldinho will not play in this match; it remains to be seen what the true reason is. He was obviously tired when he played at the weekend, after having featured for the Brazilian national team in the World Cup qualifiers, but reports have surfaced that he was spotted partying in Brazil last week.
Possible Formation (4-3-1-2): Dida; Antonini, Bonera, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Ambrosini, Flamini, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato, Borriello
Zurich
Left fullback Alain Rochat came off at the weekend inside the first twenty minutes of their demolition of Vaduz, so he is unlikely to be used in this match. He will probably be replaced by Daniel Stucki, as he was on Sunday.
The 4-2-3-1 formation has been working for manager Bernard Challandes, so one would have to think the same group of players from Sunday’s victory will be featured in that formation.
Possible Formation (4-2-3-1): Leoni; Stahel, Barmettler, Tihinen, Stucki; Aegerter, Okonkwo; Djuric, Abdi, Alphonse; Hassli
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Milan
After coming on for the second forty-five minutes on Sunday in place of Andriy Shevchenko, Marco Borriello played well, and had more goal-scoring chances in the opening minutes of the second half than Shevchenko had in the entire first half. How he combines with Alexandre Pato in this match will be key for Milan’s attack.
Zurich
At nearly 6’4” tall, French striker Eric Hassli will give the Milan backline trouble on every ball into the box. Also, his fellow countryman Alexandre Alphonse has scored in two successive matches, and will be counted upon to provide attacking play from the midfield.
PREDICTION
Surely, Milan cannot come out lame once again; or can they? The Rossoneri have no spirit in their play right now, and were soundly beaten by Genoa on Sunday. Conversely, Zurich are playing incredibly well at the moment, having scored ten goals in their last two matches. This encounter will provide Milan with yet another difficult test from a side they normally would defeat handily.
Milan 1-1 Zurich
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