Saturday, March 31, 2012


Catania 1-1 AC Milan: Rossoneri drop points as Spolli cancels out Robinho opener

The Sicilian outfit matched the league leaders in a spirited showing, and claimed a deserved point to open the door for Juventus to close the gap at the Serie A summit


AC Milan dropped two crucial points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Catania at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in Saturday's Serie A clash. 

A first-half Robinho strike was cancelled out by an equaliser from Nicolas Spolli as the hosts claimed a deserved point, and denied the Rossoneri a chance to open up a seven point gap at the top of Serie A.
Catania started brightly, and fired an early warning shot after only four minutes of play, when Gonzalo Bergessio fired into the side netting after sprinting clear down the right.
Milan did not take long to hit back after Urby Emanuelson latched onto an Antonio Nocerino pass and broke free of the defence, only to see Juan Carrizo block his finish at the end.
There were flashes of inspiration in attack from both teams, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw a shot saved by the legs of Carrizo, before a great cross by Marco Motta was met by a Bergessio header that skimmed the crossbar.
As the half wore on the tempo of the game died down as both sides appeared to be plying slightly within themselves. However, out of nothing, Milan found their way to an opener after a superb piece of play from Ibrahimovic.
A series of crisp passes saw the Swede receive the ball to feet with his back to goal. Showing incredible strength, he held off Nicola Legrottaglie, turned, and slipped in Robinho, who fired home with aplomb from close range.
Catania nearly drew level moments after the restart when a loose ball in the box was attacked with vigour by Alejandro Gomez, who rattled the crossbar with a ferocious effort.
Gomez thought he had equalised again barely a minute into the second half after turning in a flick by Bergessio. The goal was chalked off for offside, however, despite replays suggesting that the Argentine may have done just enough to keep himself onside.
Catania would not be denied a third time though, and deservedly drew level just before the hour mark. Milan failed to deal with a corner, giving Legrottaglie the opportunity he needed to knock down the ball to Spolli, who stroked home.
Robinho came within inches of putting Milan back in front in the 64th minute with a shot that was barely cleared off the goal line. The Brazilian sprinted clear, rounded Carrizo and sidefooted his attempt, but Govanni Marchese covered well and did just enough to prevent the whole of the ball from crossing the line.
The match was end to end at this point, as Sergio Almiron sent a pair of efforts off target. At the other end of the pitch, Carrizo did superbly to grasp a header by Philippe Mexes at full stretch.
With 10 minutes to go, Ibrahimovic again displayed great control to take a cross-field ball in his stride, but he could only poke his finish the wrong side of the post. The Swede went even closer on the stroke of injury time, but his curled effort from just inside the box was tipped over by Carizzo.
The game ended in dramatic fashion, as the Catania shot-stopper once again denied Ibrahimovic, before Mexes saw a goal-bound header thwarted, with Kevin Prince Boateng putting the rebound wide.
With the last shot of the game, the hosts nearly snatched the points, but Mariano Izco’s shot was blocked by Luca Antonini as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Milan open up a five -point gap at the top of Serie A, but second place Juventus can reduce the deficit with their match against Napoli on Sunday. Catania meanwhile stay in seventh place with 43 points, and remain in the hunt for a European berth.

Matchday 30
 
 
Times In BST

Friday, March 30, 2012

Catania - AC Milan Preview: European

chasing hosts looking to cause Allegri's men trouble in Serie A title race

The Sicilians have had an impressive campaign, sitting just six points out of fifth place, while the visitors look to take a step closer to a second consecutive Scudetto


PROBABLE LINEUPS

CATANIA


Carrizo
Belluschi, Legrottaglie, Spolli Barrientos, Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Marchese 
Bergessio, Gomez


AC MILAN


Abbiati
Zambrotta, Bonera, Mexes, Antonini
Aquilani, Ambrosini, Nocerino
Boateng
Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy


In-form Catania have relatively few worries to consider ahead of their match against league leaders AC Milan.

Coach Vincenzo Montella will be without defender Alessandro Potenza and midfielder Marco Biagianti due to injury, but full-back Marco Motta is available for selection once again and could start despite Pablo Barrientos being favoured to be selected on the right of midfield. 

Playmaker and set-piece specialist, Fracesco Lodi, should pull the strings in midfield behind pacy attacking duo Alejandro Gomez and Gonzalo Bergessio.

Conversely, coming off a spirited defensive performance that saw them hold Champions league holders Barcelona to a 0-0 draw, a fatigued Milan are dealing with several absences.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari and left-back Djamel Mesbah are serving suspensions. Mark van Bommel is available once again after being banned, but along with veteran defender Alessandro Nesta, is unlikely to be risked ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

Star centre-back Thiago Silva's continued absence due to a knock he picked up in the 2-1 win over Roma means that Gianluca Zambrotta and Daniele Bonera should once again feature in the first XI despite the recent recovery of right-back Ignazio Abate from a muscle injury.

Meanwhile, striker Maxi Lopez could take on the team he left this winter to move to San Siro, but seems more likely to start from the bench with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Stephan El Shaarawy set to feature in attack.



DID YOU KNOW?

  • Catania have only lost one of their last 10 matches, a 3-1 defeat to Juventus back on February 18 in Turin.
    • The Sicilians have only lost twice at Stadio Angelo Massimino this season and currently sit an impressive seventh place in Serie A.
    • Catania lost 4-0 to the Rossoneri in November at San Siro.
    • AC Milan have won their last four Serie A games, with Ibrahimovic scoring seven times during that span.
    • Massimiliano Allegri's men have 10 away victories in Serie A this season, more than any other side in the division.
    • A league-high total of 17 different players have scored for Milan this campaign.

    Head to Head
    Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎Nov 6, 2011AC Milan 4 - Catania 0
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    • Match Report
    • Play by Play
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    Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎Jan 29, 2011Catania 0 - AC Milan 2
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    • Match Report
    • Play by Play
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    Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎Sep 18, 2010AC Milan 1 - Catania 1
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    • Match Report
    • Play by Play
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    Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎Apr 11, 2010AC Milan 2 - Catania 2
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    • Match Report
    • Play by Play
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    Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎Nov 29, 2009Catania 0 - AC Milan 2
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    Last Five Matches
     AC Milan 
    Mar 28, 2012AC Milan 0 - FC Barcelona 0UCL
    Mar 24, 2012AC Milan 2 - Roma 1ITA1
    Mar 20, 2012Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2ITAC
    Mar 17, 2012Parma 0 - AC Milan 2ITA1
    Mar 11, 2012AC Milan 2 - Lecce 0ITA1

    Players to Watch
    Francesco Lodi
    Francesco Lodi
    POSITION:Midfielder
    SQUAD NUMBER:10
    GAMESGOALSYCRC
    29830
    The midfielder is Catania’s top-scorer this season with his prowess from set pieces and spot-kicks being a real feature of the team’s rise to prominence in the standings during 2011-12. The Etnei might need one of his moments of magic from a dead ball situation to overcome a Rossoneri defence that has conceded just 23 goals this season. 
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic
    POSITION:Striker
    SQUAD NUMBER:11
    GAMESGOALSYCRC
    232231
    The Sweden international just can’t seem to stop scoring in Serie A and after a subpar performance against Barcelona during midweek, he will be eager to resume finding the back of the net in order to silence his critics