Serie A Preview: Atalanta - Milan

[FerrariTifosi27]

Serie A Preview: Atalanta - Milan

What: Italian Serie A
Who: Atalanta (18 pts., 6th) vs. AC Milan (14 pts., 9th)
When: Sunday November 11, 15:00 (CET)
Where: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, Bergamo

When attempting to analyze these clubs, I’m reminded of major themes from Greek mythology; which, typically, is not a good thing.

Flying Too Close To the Sun

In the case of the home side, Atalanta, I can’t help but think of the mythological figure Icarus, who could have flown like a bird all he wanted to had he only heeded his father Daedalus’ simple instructions—don’t fly too close to the sun, for fear of the wax which held his wings together melting, and don’t fly too close to the sea, or the moisture from the water would also damage his wings.

Coming into this season, everyone would have told you that in this comparison, Atalanta surely would need to keep in mind the second warning given to Daedalus, that of not flying too low.

However, Atalanta, really quite amazingly, are rubbing shoulders with some pretty impressive company at the moment, as they sit in sixth place, with only seven points separating them from leaders Inter. An undefeated record at home, along with some positive away results (a draw at Fiorentina, and wins away to Empoli and Catania), have seen the Oribici become one of the most surprising sides in Italy. Although, more consistent play would have put them in an even higher position in the table, as they have not won at home since September 23 (2-1 over Lazio).

It remains to be seen if the pressure of staying near the top of the standings, and most importantly in the European qualification places, ends up forcing Atalanta to melt under the intense heat of expectations from supporters and press alike.

As Good As Gold

The perplexing form of Milan this season, in which they have played splendidly on their travels, yet have allowed results at home to slip away, resembles the latter stages of the Roman Empire rather than the Greeks. Nevertheless, the comparisons with Greek mythology do not escape the Rossoneri.

In this instance, the legend of King Midas comes to mind. Midas was granted the ability to turn into gold anything he touched. At first this seemed to be quite a gift indeed, as he was overjoyed to find that any simple object was instantly made into a valuable addition to his wealth. But, in a cruel turn of fate, he quickly discovered that even his food and drink became golden, thereby causing starvation.

Comparatively, it could be said that Milan are suffering from the same plight as Midas. Having a star such as Kakà (rumored to be the favorite for the Ballon d’Or) gives you the ability to win matches even when the cause seems lost. At the same time, you begin to rely on such a player much too heavily, and it can then become very troublesome.

Milan’s failure to buy a star striker in the summer, due in part to their reliance on Kakà, has seen them struggle to score at home, with their last domestic goal at the ‘San Siro’ coming at the end of September.

This inability to score at their usually fortress-like home ground has left Milan to labor around mid-table for some time now. The return of Ronaldo from injury, who should finally make his season debut this weekend, will go a long way toward getting Milan back into the upper echelon of Serie A.

FORM GUIDE (last five fixtures)



Atalanta

10/6 Atalanta 0-0 Udinese Serie A

10/21 Atalanta 2-2 Torino Serie A

10/28 Empoli 0-1 Atalanta Serie A

10/31 Atalanta 2-2 Cagliari Serie A

11/4 Catania 1-2 Atalanta Serie A



Milan

10/24 Milan 4-1 Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League

10/28 Milan 0-1 Roma Serie A

10/31 Sampdoria 0-5 Serie A

11/3 Milan 0-0 Torino Serie A

11/6 Shakhtar 0-3 Milan Champions League


TEAM NEWS

Atalanta must do without many of their first team regulars. Diego De Ascentis and Riccardo Zampagna are both suspended, while the injury dock is full up. Francisco Costinha and Leonardo Talamonti are certain to miss out, and Giampaolo Bellini is very doubtful.

Milan will definitely be missing Marek Jankulovski, who has not recovered from knee surgery. Elsewhere in the defense, Paolo Maldini and Massimo Oddo will probably be rested. Ronaldo may finally make his first appearance of the season in this fixture.

With his terrific display against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, Filippo Inzaghi may get the starting nod over Alberto Gilardino, who came off the pitch in the Champions League game with what appeared to be a minor injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – He has experienced a bit of a rebirth this term (6 goals), after having suffered through long injury spells for the past few seasons. Still one of the best attacking players in Italy, he can pick apart any defense.

Kakà (Milan) – Against a shorthanded Atalanta backline, he will find plenty of space to place his Midas touch all over the pitch.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Atalanta (4-4-1-1): Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Capelli, Manfredini; Ferreira Pinto, Guarente, Tissone, Langella; Doni; Floccari

Milan (4-3-2-1): Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Serginho; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Inzaghi

PREDICTION

Several conditions must be factored into a prognostication in this match. One is that Atalanta are missing several defensive players. Secondly, while Milan have struggled at home, their last two Serie A matches on the road have seen them score ten goals. The third condition, and one which should not be underestimated, is the likely return of Ronaldo, who came into the side last term in a similar fashion and provided a huge boost.

All of these things being considered, Milan will fly away from Bergamo having placed their golden touch on the proceedings.

Atalanta 1-2 Milan

[Lilly Whites]

1-1, Atlanta to get away with a very well deseved point

[FerrariTifosi27]

I hope we can take the points this game, we need the 3 points to get back into the top 5

[FerrariTifosi27]

The Atalanta-Milan game has been temporarily suspended until the violence stops in the stadium

[CroCop]

Milan and Atalanta Ultras tried to break through a glass barrier apparantly.

[FerrariTifosi27]

THE PLAYERS RE-ENTER THE DRESSING ROOMS
11/11/2007

BERGAMO - In this moment the players of Milan and Atalanta have re-entered the dressing rooms. The game was suspended in the 7th minute. The plexiglass barriers have been partially broken by the Atalanta home fans. It is being discussed whether it's appropriate to continue playing.

http://www.acmilan.com/

[FerrariTifosi27]

MATCH DEFINITIVELY SUSPENDED
11/11/2007

BERGAMO - The match in Bergamo will not be reprised: the match has been definitively suspended.

http://www.acmilan.com/

[FerrariTifosi27]

Atalanta-Milan Suspended After Seven Minutes

The Atalanta-Milan game has been suspended after seven minutes of action due to fan violence.

The signs were ominous ever since news filtered through that a Lazio fan had been killed by the police. The Inter-Lazio game was immediately called off, but other games went ahead with a 15 minute delay.

While most games began without too much trouble, the Atalanta fans were not in a mood to take it lying down.

The ultras decided to express their displeasure by trying to break through the glass barriers between the stands and the pitch, just behind the Atalanta goal.

Objects were also thrown on the pitch, and at the police, and after just seven minutes, the referee had to halt the proceedings due to concerns over the safety of the players.

There were discussion all around, and after ten more minutes of uncertainty, the players headed down the tunnel.

There were attempts to calm the fans down, attempts that did succeed to an extent, but the players as much as the referee decided that it was best not to play under this cloud of uncertainty.

The game was officially suspended at 1540 CET, and will be rescheduled.