The chase starts again. Not even the time to archive the fourth day and it's already time to think about the fifth, which will be inaugurated this evening by Udinese and Milan (20.45 pm). A delicate advance, for both teams. The Rossoneri, after the victory over Palermo, want to start giving some continuity of results, the hosts instead come from three consecutive defeats and can no longer make mistakes.
“I have great respect for them, they are going through a period of crisis but they have players capable of making a difference – Mihajlovic's analysis. – I am thinking of Zapata, Thereau, Di Natale, but also of their leg and quality midfield. We'll try to play a game from Milan, and this time I'd like not to concede a goal."
Up until now the Rossoneri have never succeeded and this is perhaps the big difference with leaders Inter. Mancini has collected only one goal, Sinisa 6: too many to find himself up there at the top and in fact the ranking is far from exciting. But the championship is still long and Milan have plenty of time to get back on track, provided they eliminate (or at least reduce) the accidents along the way. And then down with Udinese, for a match that the Rossoneri can't and don't want to make a mistake.
“I'd like to do some turnover but I have a short blanket – explained Mihajlovic. – Abate and Kucka's injuries create some problems for us, I'll change something, but try to stay with as many starters as possible".
In fact, the choices are practically obligatory and reduce the coach's doubts to just the attack. The essential Bacca will be there, the other shirt will be played by Balotelli and Luiz Adriano, with Supermario favourite. In reality, the dream of Via Aldo Rossi (but perhaps it would be better to say Arcore…) would see the three strikers all together, but at the moment Mihajlovic has other ideas.
“Does the president want Balotelli as an attacking midfielder? If he says so then it could be – he joked at the press conference. – He has different characteristics, however he is training well and behaving in an exemplary manner ”.
It is therefore probable that he will see him as the owner in Friuli paired with Bacca, with the much-criticized Honda behind him. “When we have Bertolacci back we will be able to see Bonaventura playmaker” glossed over Sinisa, who otherwise has no particular doubts.
In defense, ahead of Diego Lopez, it will be Calabria (promoted regardless of Abate's injury), Zapata, Romagnoli and De Sciglio, in midfield Poli will replace Kucka, in a three-way line with De Jong (slight favorite over Montolivo) and Bonaventure.
“We will have to play a perfect match and not make mistakes – thought Colantuono from the Udinese front. – We are not obliged to score points but to play a good game. Milan are a strong team, especially in attack. We will try to stop him, we have respect but not fear."
The situation at Juventus is anything but rosy. The defeat against Empoli, the third in a row after those against Palermo and Lazio, sparked protests from Friuli and the intervention of Gino Pozzo, who arrived from London to give the group a boost. Colantuono will play with the 3-5-2: Zapata and Thereau starting in attack, only bench for Di Natale.
