“This time we play with 4-2-3-1”. Just to clarify immediately, Massimiliano Allegri leaves no room for doubts regarding the game system with which his Milan will face Chievo (18 pm). Never let anyone (like Berlusconi or Galliani) say they weren't warned...
Seriously, today's match is very important for the Rossoneri team. The draw in Palermo, albeit very sweaty, gave a sign of life to the club, which now expects a good victory to continue (or start?) a positive path. Unlike what happened in the past however, a misstep would not be forgiven, not after the Sicilian disagreements. Strong words would have flown into Barbera's belly between Galliani and Allegri, and a phone call to the CEO from an enraged Berlusconi certainly wouldn't have improved things. In short, the coach's fate is still hanging by a thread, namely at Corini's Chievo, an opponent in form and anything but a predestined victim. “The club has always protected me – Allegri retorted at the press conference. – This year we have and will still have difficulties but the club is laying the foundations to be able to compete for the first three places in Italy in the future, starting from the next championship”. Yeah, but what about Palermo's disagreements? “I would make the same choices again, and the progress of the match proves it – the Tuscan coach reiterated proudly. – It doesn't mean that I'm not in tune with society, when they asked me for explanations, I gave them. I don't like changing modules, but I couldn't make the market during the interval. Nor can I invent the players in the roles: if I have Boateng out and only two wingers, Emanuelson and El Shaarawy, I either put a linesman on the winger or I have to change the game system”. The polemical tone demonstrates that the problems are far from resolved, also because the telephone line with Berlusconi is once again weeping: “I haven't heard from him yet, but bear in mind that two days have passed. And then he was lucky, I read that he only saw the last 20 minutes of the Palermo match…”. In short, the nerves are tense and only a (good) victory can relax them. To obtain it, Allegri will rely on the indispensable El Shaarawy and on Bojan, who appeared in great form last Tuesday. No call-up instead for Robinho, who will be available again in the Champions League, while for Boateng he will only be on the bench. And if there's an embarrassment of choice up front (the ballot is still between Pato and Pazzini), it's not the same back there. Bonera's disqualification will force the coach to give up his best defender, and to rely on Mexes and one of Zapata, Yepes and Acerbi.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Milan (4-2-3-1): Have you; Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant; Ambrosini, Montolivo; Emanuelson, Bojan, El Shaarawy; Pazzini.
On the bench: Amelia, Gabriel, Acerbi, Yepes, De Sciglio, De Jong, Flamini, Nocerino, Traore, Boateng, Pato, Niang.
Unavailable: Mesbah, Robinho, Strasser, Didac Vilà, Antonini, Muntari.
Disqualified: Bonera.
Chievo (4-3-3): Sorrento; Frey, Andreolli, Dainelli, Dramè; Guana, L. Rigoni, M. Rigoni; Luciano, Pellissier, Stoian.
On the bench: Puggioni, Viotti, Sardo, Jokic, Papp, Cofie, Moscardelli, Hetemaj, Di Michele, Théréau, Samassa, Vacek.
Unavailable: Squizzi, Paloschi, Cesar.
Disqualified: nobody.
Referee: Piero Giacomelli (Trieste).
Line Assistants: Rosi – Viazzi.
Port Assistants: Duties – Ostinelli.
Fourth official: Of flower.
