Livorno - AC Milan (pre-game thoughts/issues)

Originally Posted by Jeff

When I watch a few more games this year when playing against smaller team, Pirlo has been equally good... may not be as 'effective'.

That was my very point

From Channel4:

Ancelotti: Victory is only option
Sunday 23 January, 2005
Milan have no margin for error if they are to take the Scudetto off Juventus, warns Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their tricky trip to Livorno.

“Juve will take the title if they win every single game from here until the end of the season,” noted the Coach.

“If Milan do the same, we will get the Scudetto. These two clubs are in the same position and we’re better off than at this time last year.”

The Rossoneri have closed the gap to just two points and at this moment seem to have the momentum, though the Stadio Picchi is not an easy place to conquer.

“Cristiano Lucarelli is on stunning form and their midfielders can really break forward with pace. It is a tough stadium to play in, but we have to be able to impose our style on any game and any environment.”

It will be a particularly special occasion for Ancelotti, who comes face to face with his former teammate Roberto Donadoni. They are only two of the ‘Grande Milan’ members who went on to management careers, such as Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten.

“It will be a little strange. Donadoni was a great teammate and some are already pinpointing him as my successor here. I’m happy at the San Siro, though everything comes to an end and we’ll see what happens then. Right now, I don’t want to think about it.”

For that same reason, Paolo Maldini hasn’t set a date for his retirement despite celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Serie A debut this week.

“Paolo loves working hard for the good of the team and he is more than capable of taking that left-back role. Jaap Stam can also play on the right when needs be, while Kakha Kaladze is set to return in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia game with Udinese.”

Massimo Ambrosini should step in to the midfield in place of the suspended Andrea Pirlo against Livorno.

Gk: Dida, Abbiati, Dei Forti.

D: Cafu, Costacurta, Maldini, Nesta, Pancaro, Stam.

M: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Dhorasoo, Gattuso, Kakà, Rui Costa, Seedorf, Serginho.

F: Crespo, Shevchenko, Tomasson

1 hour and 15 minutes to go. Here is the probable line-up according to the Gazetta:

MILAN: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Stam, Maldini; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Kakà; Crespo, Shevchenko.

i'm surprised dhorasso didn't get in ahead of ambro, but i guess carlo wants a more defensive midfield today. plus i will never tire of looking at that back 5, then again or the front 3!

Milan has not had a stronger defence since Baresi and Tasotti's days. Maldini, Nesta, Stam, Cafu will surely rank as one of Milan's most prominent defences ever.

Milan line-up - Dida; Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Maldini; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Dhorasoo; Kakà; Shevchenko, Crespo
??Seedorf??

I've created a game thread now guys and girls