And now down with Catania. There wasn't a moment's rest for Milan, who after stopping Barça plunged back into the fight for the Scudetto. The away match in Sicily is a very important turning point in the race for the title, an obstacle which, if skipped, could represent a Rossoneri escape towards final victory. Getting full loot in Catania will not be easy, for a whole series of reasons: having said that the rossoazzurri represented one of the most beautiful surprises of our football and that they will be loaded by the thousand from the Massimino public (sold out for days), the main sources of concern they come from the physical and mental conditions of Milan. The matches against Barça (the one played on Wednesday and, above all, the imminent return) oblige Allegri to make some reflections, despite Galliani's diktat not providing for turnover. However, in view of the Camp Nou target shooting, we are certain that the CEO also approves of his coach's choices: Nesta, Seedorf and Van Bommel have not been called up, and the team should undergo a slight restyling, compatibly with the numerous unavailability . Despite this, Allegri didn't look for an alibi and underlined the importance of today's match, even linking it to that of Barcelona: "The result of the Camp Nou will be the consequence of what will happen in Catania: it's a particular week, but we have to think game by game. From Sicily we must return home with results because it is fundamental towards the Champions League: we know that it will be tough in Barcelona, that they are the strongest team in the world, but we are healthy and we must be confident. We must have the malice to get a result in Catania and then prepare for a great match on Tuesday." Going back to training, the only department that doesn't present particular problems is the attack, while defense and midfield are reduced to the bone. The midline is then practically forced, with Ambrosini and Nocerino who will be forced to work overtime. A big problem for Allegri, who however didn't seem worried: “Nesta hadn't played for two months and after an intense match like Wednesday's he needs to rest and do some individual work for Tuesday, the same thing for Seedorf. Ambrosini is fine and I don't think there will be any problems, we'll evaluate Van Bommel in the next few days”. The good news concerns Abate and, listen, Pato: “The Brazilian will return tomorrow (today for the reader, ed) from the USA, I will see him and evaluate him for Barcelona. But his condition is good, if not excellent. Between a thought on Juventus (“Everything depends on us, we are leading by 4 points. We fought so hard to get up there and now we want to stay there") and one on the San Siro pitch ("I hope the situation will be resolved, even with a summary"), the press conference reached the sore point: how the relationship with the President Berlusconi? “We talked, yesterday as always, we talk. I always owe him explanations about the team and how we play and he relates his thoughts to me. From what he told me, he was happy with Tuesday's performance." From the television images (which captured Berlusconi frowning while confabulating with Galliani) it would not seem, but to those who pointed it out to him, Allegri replied as follows: "How was I able to watch TV if I was on the pitch?".
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Catania (4-3-3): carizo; Motta, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marquis; Izco, Lodi, Almiron; Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos.
On the bench: Kosicky, Bellusci, Capuano, Seymour, Ricchiuti, Llama, Lanzafame.
Trainer: Vincent Montella.
Unavailable: Power, Biagianti.
Disqualified: no
Milan (4-3-1-2): Have you; Abate, Bonera, Mexes, Antonini; Aquilani, Ambrosini, Nocerino; Emmanuelson; Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy.
On the bench: Amelia, Yepes, Zambrotta, Gattuso, Boateng, Robinho, Maxi Lopez.
Trainer: Massimiliano Allegri.
Unavailable: Cassano, Strasser, Pato, Flamini, Inzaghi, Thiago Silva, Van Bommel, Seedorf.
Disqualified: Mesbah (1), Muntari (1).
Referee: Mauro Bergonzi (Genoa)
Assistants: Jays – Marzaloni
Fourth official: Damato
