Milan against Fiorentina, Allegri against Montella. This afternoon at San Siro (15 pm) a challenge within the challenge between two rather talked-about coaches will take place. But if the talks about the Rossoneri are no longer news, the same is not true for the Viola, who received exuberant praise from Galliani during the week. Just a case? It's hard to say, but the critics, already soothed by the rumors about Guardiola, have literally gone wild. “It's not my problem, I finished first once and second once – Allegri retorted proudly. – However my contract is until 2014 and I will complete it. The rest doesn't make me hot or cold, I think about my job. I am a professional and I am convinced that I have to succeed”. The first step towards the goal is to beat Fiorentina, a difficult opponent and in great shape. “It's a team that's doing reasonably well, it's been well built right from the start – admitted Allegri. – Play good football, a very difficult match awaits us tomorrow, but we are physically fine even though we played on Tuesday. We are in a phase of growth, we had never recovered two games this season and instead both in Palermo and against Malaga we succeeded. We can play a great match."
Three points would have enormous significance for the standings, and not just because Fiorentina are in all respects a direct competitor. The next matches will be quite complicated (Naples and Juventus away to San Siro), therefore, if you want to chase a Champions League placement, a victory today is even mandatory. “I'm used to thinking immediately – reiterated Allegri. – To date, the most realistic goal is the Europa League, if and when we get there we will think about third place”. In short, the coach has once again shown the low-profile, which since last summer has put him in contrast with Galliani. At the end of August, the CEO declared that Milan's goal was the Scudetto; after more than two months, Allegri replied as follows: "This year, with all the changes that have been made, it was unthinkable to be leading the championship after two months...". Problems remain, but victories can, if not erase them, at least put them aside. That's why today you really can't go wrong: Allegri will confirm the 4-2-3-1 formation so dear to the club, but some men will change compared to the match against Malaga. Ambrosini will return to the midfield in place of De Jong, Boateng should play on the right thus giving Emanuelson a rest. Then there is the doubt El Shaarawy: he suffers from a small knee problem, but the coach considers it essential. Watch out for Robinho though, who has recovered to all intents and purposes and could prove to be a very valid alternative.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Milan (4-2-3-1): Have you; De Sciglio, Bonera, Mexes, Constant; Ambrosini, Montolivo; Boateng, Bojan, El Shaarawy; Pato.
On the bench: Amelia, Gabriel, Zapata, Yepes, Acerbi, De Jong, Emanuelson, Flamini, Nocerino, Robinho, Pazzini.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
Unavailable: Mesbah, Strasser, Didac Vilà, Muntari, Antonini, Abate.
Disqualified: nobody.
Fiorentina (3-5-2): Viviano; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Tomovic; Cuadrado, Aquilani, Pizarro, Borja Valero, Pasqual; Ljajic, Toni.
On the bench: Neto, Hegazy, Savic, Mati Fernandez, Migliaccio, Olivera, Romulo, Cassani, Llama, Della Rocca, Seferovic, El Hamdaoui.
Trainer: Vincent Montella.
Unavailable: Camporese, Jovetic.
Disqualified: nobody.
Referee: Andrew Romeo (Verona).
Line Assistants: Barbarati – Crickets.
Port Assistants: Calvarese-Ciampi.
Fourth official: Viazzi.
