FC Dopentus- Ac Milan (pre-game comments)

Paolo Maldini and Kakha Kaladze look ahead to Saturday’s Scudetto showdown and give their views on the key tactical elements.

“We will be playing against a side that never gives in,” said the Milan captain, “but we are relaxed because we know we’re on top form.”

Juventus have a four-point lead going into the final game of 2004, but the Rossoneri are on fire after their 6-0 demolition of Fiorentina.

“We are aware of the problems we’ll encounter at the Delle Alpi, as it can’t be easy to score past the best defence in Serie A and the Champions’ League,” continued Maldini. “I think Juve will sit back at first and try to hit us on the break, so we have to move the ball around quickly.”

Over 55,000 tickets have already been sold for Saturday’s match, so the Turin stadium is heading for a sell-out.

“The Juventus I saw against Bologna last week seemed to be some inferior impostor,” commented Kakha Kaladze after their hard-fought 1-0 win.

“The Bianconeri had an incredible start to the season, but recently they have been nowhere near that level. On the other hand, Milan struggled to begin with and are coming into this tie near to our peak and that 6-0 result gives us a psychological extra gear. This will be the game of the year.”

There is one tradition that might worry the Rossoneri, as they have only won their pre-Christmas match once in the last ten years.

“A bit of complacency can arise when you’re heading towards the break,” concedes the Georgian defender, “but not when you’re taking on Juventus. The holidays will be absolutely the last thing on our minds.”

There seems to be only one doubt in Carlo Ancelotti’s mind going into this clash, as Giuseppe Pancaro or Kaladze will take that left-back role. Jon Dahl Tomasson might not even be fit for the bench after he skipped training this afternoo :