AC Milan vs Genoa, Preview: Allegri hoping for a San Siro hero
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Gabriele Maltinti
This sums up both AC Milan and Genoa to a tee.
Luigi De Canio became the casualty of last weekend's 4-2 reverse against AS Roma and has been replaced on the Grifone bench by Luigi Del Neri. Given Del Neri's previous stint at city rivals Sampdoria, a victory would go some ways towards winning the fans' approval.
Meanwhile, over at Milan, under-fire coach Massimiliano Allegri clings on, just like the proverbial cat with nine lives. Following Wednesday's Champions League loss at Malaga - the club's third loss on the spin, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani announced "we will move forward" with Allegri.
Allegri has confirmed that he will stick with the 3-4-3 formation employed against the Spaniards in midweek. He said: “It will be an important match and we want to give the fans and the club a victory which the players deserve for what they are doing on the pitch. I can’t criticise the players. I’m convinced that with this concentration and with some improvements in the final third, we’ll be able to turn the corner.”
The Rossoneri faithful are banking on a home victory, given the visitors have gone four games without a win. Genoa can take comfort from the fact that they have collected two more points than Milan so far and currently sit five places above their hosts in 10th.
The fact that Milan have lost three of their four home games so far will also buoy the visitors.
Ciro Immobile will be relied upon to step up and provide the firepower, after former Milan man Marco Borriello was ruled out for six weeks with ankle ligament damage.
Giampaolo Pazzini is expected to lead the Milan frontline, keeping a fit-again Alexandre Pato on the bench.
Milan won this fixture 1-0 last season.
AC Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Djamel Mesbah, Sulley Muntari, Rodney Strasser, Christian Abbiati and Robinho (injured)
Genoa injuries and suspensions
Out: Juan Vargas, Marco Rossi, Damiano Ferronetti, Anselmo, Marco Borriello (injured)
Michele Canini (suspended - too many bookings)
Match Date/Time: Saturday 27th October 2012, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy
TV: Premium Calcio, Sky Calcio 1 (Italy) RAI Internazionale (U.S & Canada), ESPN (U.K.),
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