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Italy: Serie A Preview- Sampdoria v AC Milan [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
Fresh off their stunning UEFA Champions League victory over Turkish side Fernerbahçe on Tuesday, AC Milan travel to the Genoa region to battle it out at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris versus Sampdoria, who had a European fixture of their own this week, although the final result was not quite as pleasing.
BACKGROUND
Sampdoria have begun this season in poor form, only able to win one of their matches (three in total) in all competitions. This lone victory came last Sunday at home over Reggina, 3-2.
Striker Emiliano Bonazzoli, on loan from Reggina, opened the scoring in the 18th minute after Francesco Flachi lifted the ball over the defence for him to run in one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and he slotted it into the net.
Francesco Cozza leveled ten minutes later with a powerful shot. Then captain Sergio Volpi put Sampdoria back in the lead with a beautifully struck free kick that made the keeper look like a statue as he watched it fly into the top corner.
The result was made even more difficult for Reggina when Giacomo Tedesco was given a red card in the 81st. Substitute Andrea Gasbarroni doubled the Blucerchiati’s advantage with a shot from distance three minutes after Tedesco was dismissed.
Simone Missiroli of Reggina and Francesco Flachi of Sampdoria then showed their Hollywood credentials by performing their own version of “The Good, Bad and the Ugly.â€
In the third minute of stoppage time, Missiroli scored to give Reggina a hope of securing the draw. However, he almost immediately pulled down Flachi in the box at the other end to give Sampdoria a spot-kick opportunity to end all speculation of the result.
Flachi stepped up to take the kick, but shot poorly and it was saved by the keeper. So, despite the missed penalty by Flachi, Sampdoria were able to hold on for the three points.
This past Thursday, Samp traveled to Portugal to play Vitoria Setubal in the UEFA Cup, and returned home with a 1-1 draw. The aforementioned Francesco Flachi grabbed the lead for his side in the 30th minute, but Oumar Tchomogo leveled for Vitoria just two minutes after half-time.
While an away draw is usually good enough, with their impressive fifth place finish in the Serie A last season, Sampdoria should have been able to get the win against a side as small as Vitoria.
Milan are in much better spirits following the incredible finish at the San Siro against Fenerbahçe, which ended in a 3-1 Milan victory. After a crafty back-heel pass by Andrea Pirlo, Kaka shot a powerful low drive into the right corner of the net in the 18th minute.
Both sides were buzzing in attack, with plenty of opportunities, but neither could get anything further in the first half. On the other side of the break, Fenerbahçe were pushing hard for the equaliser, and they got it in the 63rd.
The perpetually temperamental Frenchman, Nicolas Anelka, was bowled over by Gennaro Gattuso in the box, and the Brazilian Alex coolly scored from the penalty spot to put the sides on level terms.
With the minutes ticking away, it appeared as though Milan would again have to face the ire of the press in the wake of another disappointment (remember the loss in the Champions League final to Liverpool last year?), but this was not to be. The ever-graceful Kaka picked the ball up just inside of midfield, and dribbled past several challenges before shooting under the keeper in the 87th minute, sending the San Siro crowd into sheer pandemonium.
Shortly afterward, Serginho, who had come on as a substitute, shot too hard for the Fenerbahçe keeper to handle, and the ball fell right into the path of Andriy Shevchenko for an easy finish in front of the open goal. Just as they had done many times last season, not only in Europe but in all competitions, the Rossoneri were able to score late, destroying the hopes of their opponents.
Not only this, but with the recovery win last weekend over Siena, also by a score of 3-1 (Milan had drawn 1-1 at Ascoli in the opening Serie A match), the Rossoneri look to be hitting their stride. These most recent victories are a huge relief for everyone in the Milan camp, from top to bottom.
TEAM NEWS
Sampdoria do not have real injury concerns, but the health of Aimo Diana is something to watch, as he recently returned to the lineup. The Blucerchiati will field a classic Italian 4-4-2 formation, in hopes of defending their home turf against a determined Milan.
The only major player missing for Milan is Marek Jankulovski, who is still feeling the effects from a serious ankle injury last season. Jaap Stam returns after a muscle strain, and he will probably get a start in central defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Francesco Flachi (Sampdoria)
Even though he squandered several chances in the win over Reggina, he was very active. Add this to the goal he scored in the UEFA Cup versus Vitoria Setubal, and he will be anxious to show that he is more than just a viable option in attack, but a virtual lock to score.
Alberto Gilardino (Milan)
He only saw a few minutes in the win against Fenerbahçe, and should be very rested for this encounter. Still regarded as the future of the Azzurri squad, he has not scored in an official match since joining Milan, and must be aching to see the ripple of the net.
POSSIBLE STARTING XIs:
Sampdoria (4-4-2):
Antonioli; Zenoni, Castellini, Sala, Pisano; Diana, Palombo, Volpi, Tonetto; Bonazzoli, Flachi
Milan (4-3-1-2):
Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Stam, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Gilardino, Shevchenko
Joel Whitehead
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