Abate set to miss Juve-Milan

IGNAZIO ABATE is injured so he’ll miss the game on Sunday; Ambrosini, Boateng and Mexes all trained.

Bad news for Coach Massimiliano Allegri who will have to play Juventus without first-choice right back Ignazio Abate who is suffering from a groin strain and therefore did not train today, it has been confirmed.

Abate, who has been excellent in defense under Allegri in the past two seasons, seemed in pain when was subbed off in the game against Viktoria Plzen and his condition will be evaluated in the next few days.

Allegri has a few options now that Abate is out: he can play either Luca Antonini or Gianluca Zambrotta at right back, or put up a more defensive line-up with Daniele Bonera. Mattia De Sciglio is also available.

Milan are set to welcome back Kevin-Prince Boateng. The Ghana man has been training normally in the next few days and is likely to feature in the game on Sunday. Massimo Ambrosini is back in training but may need more time before coming back. Philippe Mexes was part of the group in today’s session as well.

One of the last men I would want out.

I personally wouldn't opt for Zambrotta as Juve play a pacy game with wing attack as Zambro would be to cautious in attack.

I'd say this should be the test for De Sciglio.

Why do I have the feeling Bonera will play though?

I can't believe I'm saying this but let it be Antonini if he doesn't choose Zambro!

I would choose Zambrota, he is more solid in defense as compared to Antonini. I feel we are going to be doing more defending on the wings than attacking down them.

Juve has a chance at drawing or more now, unfortunately.

As much as I would to see a new face but IMO its not the right time for De Sciglio against a motivated Juve at their stadium. I am all in for Zambrotta, Antonini or even Bonera. Flamini would have been the perfect urgent option as well, but sh!t happens and we have to live with it some times.

How about Binho? Or are we set to see crappy Cassano again.

Well Antonini and Zambro could both fill in, I would rather see Zambro fill in, he is more sturdy defensively but either would be good. Id feel more confident with him back there then Antonini or Bonera. Quick recovery for Abate!!

Zambrotta will probably play RB and maybe Antonini will play LB if Taiwo isn't ready yet

Allegri..... I beg you not to field Bonera.....

Bonera's time to shine.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... B O N E R A!!!!!!

Didac's loan to Espanyol seems like such a bad idea now. But then again, it will be Allegri's fault for not playing Taiwo and Zambrotta or Antonini.

I've said this before, but we could do 'a Barca' and shove a DM in at RB. It's not ideal, but we all know the alternative...

Ambro could play at RB

BiasedMilanFan3 wrote:Zambrotta will probably play RB and maybe Antonini will play LB if Taiwo isn't ready yet

I believe Taiwo will play... I could be wrong though, but I'm pretty sure that's what was released. Taiwo on teh left and Zambro on the right isn't too bad. I still have confidence.

show the injuries whose the boss abate..

This is a HUGE loss, Abate contributes so much to the team in attack and defense, his movement is incredible. My first choice is Zambrotta to fill is space, but I can see Antonini

Hey MTD can we play Cassano there?

if we can play flamini there i dun see why not nocerino, anyways prob 2 of zambro/antonini/taiwo on the flanks, no risks from allegri, neither should he risk it

Big loss ... but this game is crucial and a must win ...

Conte's overall strategy is create as many 1v1 opportunities in the attacking third as possible (4-2-4 lines up 2 strikers and 2 wingers vs 4 defenders). However, if our fullbacks do a good job defensively, then Juventus will be caught out by our narrowness. We already have a 4v2 advantage in the middle of the pitch versus a 4-2-4, or a 4v3 advantage versus a 4-1-4-1.

To any others who are interested in tactics, watch Milan's fullbacks very carefully in this match. They will be the key players. If they get the better of Krasic/Pepe/Elia and pin them back, Milan will have a great numerical advantage in the center, and we will be able to break with regularity or even dominate possession away from home.

baresi wrote:Hey MTD can we play Cassano there?

???

I am starting to doubt Allegri. He actually has more faith in Bonera "because he knows Serie A better" than Taiwo. I can promise that a blind-folded Taiwo who still is injured would do better. Should have put Zambrotta on the right, and Taiwo on the left.

And dammit where is Mexes! We bought a player that is gonna sit at Milanello like the American we had did?