AC Milan v Genoa match preview

By: j | September 13th, 2008

Genoa’s opening home match of the Serie A campaign welcomes Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded cast to Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Quite obviously the Rossoblu face a stern task at controlling the Brazilian beat of Milan and it won’t be any easier with Kaká ready to return.

The opening match of the season for Genoa saw them stymied by a brilliant defensive effort by Catania in which they showed little evidence of the attacking flair we became accustomed to last year. However Gian Piero Gasperini acted quickly before the transfer window closed, adding Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza and convincing Palermo to loan them the brilliant Serbian international Boško Janković. Genoa will be wise to review last years match, where the Rossoneri stomped all over them 3-0 with three very fast goals. Concentration and patience is key in this match or Milan’s attack will litter the goal.

Yet all isn’t fine and dandy in Carlo Ancelotti’s world and he has been under-fire after the opening week stumble against newly promoted Bologna. While some might pounding the gavel that this is a perfect opportunity to upset them, the thought of a roster with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Alexandre Pato, Gianluca Zambrotta and Andriy Shevchenko ready for vindication is not very appetizing for myself.

On Genoa’s injury front, Andrea Gasbarroni is facing a match fitness test and he will be replaced by either Rubén Olivera or Luciano Figueroa. I expect the following starting grid in a 3-4-3:

Genoa
Rubinho
Giuseppe Biava, Matteo Ferrari, Domenico Criscito, Marco Rossi
Vanden Borre , Ivan Jurić,Francesco Modesto, Giuseppe Sculli (Boško Janković)
Rubén Olivera/Luciano Figueroa, Diego Milito, Raffaele Palladino

I’m more than aware that most Il Grifone supporters are looking forward to the return of Diego Milito in this match and while I don’t want to discredit his enormous impact, I’ll be keeping a keen eye towards Matteo Ferrari. His role in the defenses (attempt to) corral Ronaldinho, Kaká and Andriy Shevchenko is enormous and you cannot underestimate that the Rossoneri can score at a moments notice. I have an enormous amount of respect for Milan and equally suggest those who foolishly consider Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko as a non-threat, they will learn the errors of their ways this year. Time marches on for all of us but greats such as Andriy have a way of rising to the occasion when it matters the most. How general fatigue from international matches and related travel will impact Milan is unclear but I equally wouldn’t count on that card, however Gian Piero Gasperini should spread the pitch, push fitness levels and not allow Milan to get into an early rhythm. This is not an easy task but it will make for brilliant tactical Football.

I will report on the match as it concludes.