Already guaranteed of finishing 2010 at the top of the Serie A standings, injury-ravaged AC Milan faces a tough challenge at home against Roma on Saturday.
Milan leads the league with 36 points, six more than Juventus, Napoli and Lazio.
However, Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and defender Gianluca Zambrotta joined Thiago Silva, Filippo Inzaghi, Alexandre Pato and Mathieu Flamini on the injury list.
Milan coach Massimo Allegri is confident that other players will use the opportunity to make their mark though. Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has already broken into the team and has hit two goals in the last two games.
“Boateng has had time to fit into the team and is doing well, like the rest of them,” Allegri said.
“(Rodney) Strasser has been a pleasant surprise and showed character,” he said. “His development will be far quicker than other players of his age because he is part of good squad.”
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has injury problems of his own. He is likely to have to turn to third choice goalkeeper Doni after injuries to Julio Sergio and Bogdan Lobont.
Striker Mirko Vucinic is expected to miss the game, while Marco Borriello, who is on loan from Milan will have to wear a protective mask after injuring his face against Bari.
“The victory would allow us to close the gap and make the championship interesting,” Ranieri said. “It is an important match for us because after our poor start we are staring to improve and we are in confident mood.
“A win would tell everyone that Roma can close the gap.”
Juventus will play at Chievo Verona, but will be without midfield anchor Felipe Melo, who is suspended.
Even so the Turin club is confident that it can stretch its unbeaten run of 12 games.
“For sure we are having an excellent season and reaching second place, level with Lazio and Napoli is an important step forward,” defender Giorgio Chiellini said.
“For the moment Milan is way out in front, but we are happy with what we are doing,” he said.
Napoli, meanwhile, is at home to Lecce and will be in confident mood after reaching the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
Edinson Cavani scored an injury time goal to beat Steaua Bucharest 1-0 and the Uruguayan has hit nine in the league.
“We proved that with heart you can achieve anything,” Cavani said. “Going through to the knockouts was a very important objective.”
Lazio hosts Udinese having slipped to fourth place. Also this weekend, it is; Cesena vs. Cagliari; Bari vs. Palermo; Catania vs. Brescia; Parma vs. Bologna; Sampdoria vs. Genoa.
Source: The Globe and Mail
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