Catania-Milan AC Preview Match: Seri A - Matchday 30 2011/12

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

March 31, 2012 5:00 PM BST
Stadio Angelo Massimino — Catania

Team News

Catania

 

Motta should be available and is now in contention with Bellusci for the right-back spot. Despite scoring the late equaliser against Napoli, Lanzafame is expected to start on the bench. Izco, Lodi and Almiron will be the midfield trio once again.

probable lineups : Carrizo, Marchese, Spolli, Legrottaglie, Motta, Almiron, Lodi, Izco, Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez. (4-3-3). 

Mar 25, 2012	SSC Napoli 2 - Catania 2	ITA1
Mar 18, 2012	Catania 1 - Lazio 0	ITA1
Mar 11, 2012	Catania 1 - Fiorentina 0	ITA1
Mar 7, 2012	Cesena 0 - Catania 0	ITA1
Mar 4, 2012	FC Internazionale 2 - Catania 2	ITA1

 

AC Milan

 

Coach Allegri will hope to have Abate back, as Nesta went off early in the Barcelona game and Mesbah is suspended. Van Bommel and Ambrosini may be in contention. The Dutchman missed the Champions League through suspension clash so he should be fresh to play. El Shaarawy and Boateng are expected to play, with Robinho and Emanuelson on the bench.

probable lineups : Abbiati, Abate, Bonera, Mexes, Antonini, Aquilani, Bommel, Nocerino, Boateng, Ibrahimovic, Shaarawy. (4-3-1-2). 

 

Mar 28, 2012	AC Milan 0 - FC Barcelona 0	UCL
Mar 24, 2012	AC Milan 2 - Roma 1	ITA1
Mar 20, 2012	Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2	ITAC
Mar 17, 2012	Parma 0 - AC Milan 2	ITA1
Mar 11, 2012	AC Milan 2 - Lecce 0	ITA1

 

Head to Head

Match Facts 

Catania have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 6 home matches against AC Milan in all competitions.

Catania have won their last 4 home matches in Serie A.

AC Milan have won 7 of their last 8 away matches in Serie A.

AC Milan have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 matches against Catania in all competitions.

AC Milan have scored at least 2 goals in 9 of their last 10 away matches in Serie A.

AC Milan have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Catania in all competitions.

AC Milan are undefeated in their last 9 matches against Catania in all competitions.

 

Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Nov 6, 2011	AC Milan 4 - Catania 0
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Jan 29, 2011	Catania 0 - AC Milan 2
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Sep 18, 2010	AC Milan 1 - Catania 1
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Apr 11, 2010	AC Milan 2 - Catania 2
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Nov 29, 2009	Catania 0 - AC Milan 2

 

Prediction 

Catania have lost just 1 of their last 11 matches, and are unbeaten at home since the 4th of December. A European spot is more a dream than a realistic goal, but they can with no pressure on them here.

 

Milan are on a 4-match winning streak in the domestic league, and the good performance against Barcelona in Champions League may give the team yet more confidence for the league too. At the same time, some fatigue and the upcoming second leg in Spain could affect the team's performance in Catania.

 

Knowing that Allegri may already be thinking of the next Champions League clash, Montella may try set a very high tempo in the game. Milan will have to weigh up the risk of dropping some points and the chance of being too tired next Tuesday, and that could be their downfall.

Catania  1 - 1  AC Milan