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AC Milan vs Ancona
European champions AC Milan goes into this weekend's
Serie-A clash with rock-bottom Ancona on a high not after qualifying
for this season's Coppa Italia semi-finals. Carlo Ancelotti's
team defeated AS Roma 4-2 on aggregate which saw them winning
both legs with identical 2-1 scoreline. The Rossoneri are currently
three points behind Fabio Capello's Roma but have one game in
hand. With three wins over AS Roma and twice at Olimpico, Ancelotti's
men should find it easy against Ancona. Team captain Paoloa Maldini
is almost certain to make his return alongside Brazilian Kaka
and Ukrainian Andriv Shevchenko after the trio was rested during
the match against Roma. Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf is struggling
with numerous nigging injuries but should recover in time for
the visit of Marchegiani. Should Ancelotti decide not to risk
Seedorf, veteran Massimo Ambrosini will step in for him. Shevchenko
will again play as lone striker upfront due to Filipo Inzaghi's
absence while Kaka as usual will play behind the current Serie-A
top scorer. Ancona boss Nedo Sonetti must be wondering how his
players could cope with such quality players of Milan when they
take the trip to San Siro on Sunday afternoon. With no win all
season. Sonetti will be having headache how to prevent from being
whipping boys when they leave Sam Siro. On the bright side, Sonetti
will be giving full debut to the continent's once most prolific
striker, Mario Jardel. The Brazilian was once rated as the most
dangerous striker in Europe during his glory days with FC Porto.
Sonetti took the gamble of bringing him over from Premiership
outfit Bolton Wanderers and Jardel trained with his new team mates
for the first time on Wednesday. He is expected to play upfront
alongside another former Premiership outfit striker, Corrado Grabbi
who used to don the jersey of Blackburn Rovers. Sonetti looks
likely to switch to 4-4-2 formation to compensate the absence
of Croatian playmaker Milan Rapaic, who is sidelined due to an
ankle injury. Apart from that, Sonetti does not have any major
injury problems. With the presence of Jardel and Grabbi for Ancona
and the return of Kaka and Shevchenko for AC Milan, the most suitable
bet would be on AC Milan and OVER 2.5 goals.
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