YOUTH TEAMS: INTER – MILAN 0-0 AT HALF-TIME

Neither Milan nor Inter could break the deadlock in a balanced and action-packed first half at the Facchetti Sports Centre. The Rossoneri had a good start as Ghiringhelli had the first shot of the game. Inter’s answer came in the 15th minute, when Alibec’s free-kick went just wide. On 25 minutes, Pasini did well to stop Dell’Agnello inside the Milan area. After the first half an hour, Milan took control and had chances with Calvano, Albertazzi and Verdi. The latter then forced Inter goalkeeper Bardi into a couple of good saves in the final minutes of the first half.

YOUTH TEAMS: DERBY STARTING LINE-UPS

Inter: Bardi; Natalino, Biraghi, Criestig, Kysela, Benedetti, Carlsen, Jirasek, Dell’Agnello, Lussardi, Alibec.Substitutions: Gallinetta, Galimberti, Mannini, Romano, Knasmullner, Bessa, Thiam.Milan: Piscitelli, Ghringhelli, De Vito, Albertazzi, Santonocito, Pasini, Verdi, Calvano, Beretta, Fossati, De Sciglio.Substitutions: Paleari, Sampirisi, Desole, Bertoni, Carmona, Palibrk, Ganz.

YOUTH TEAMS: DERBY STARTING ELEVENS

MILAN - Here are the offiial Inter and Milan starting line-ups for the youth derby about to kick off:INTER: Bardi, Natalino, Benedetti, Kysela, Biraghi, Carisen, Crisetig, Jirasek, Lussardi, Dell'Agnello, Alibec.MILAN: Piscitelli, Ghiringhelli, Pasini, Albertazzi, De Vito, De Sciglio, Santonocito, Calvano, Fossati, Verdi, Beretta.

MILAN FIRST TEAM SQUAD FOR THE DERBY

MILAN - Here are the 20 players called up by coach Allegri at the end of training today:Abbiati, Amelia, Abate, Antonini, Nesta, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes, Boateng, Emanuelson, Flamini, Gattuso, Merkel, Seedorf, Strasser, Van Bommel, Cassano, Pato, Robinho.Unavailable: Bonera, Jankulovski, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Inzaghi.

YOUTH TEAM SQUAD FOR THE DERBY

MILAN - Twenty-one players have been called up for the derby match against Inter tomorrow at 14.00 at C.S. Facchetti, Via Sbarbaro in Milan:Albertazzi, Beretta, Bertoni, Calvano, Carmona, Cogliati, De Sciglio, De Sole, De Vito, Fossati, Ganz, Ghiringhelli, Hottor, Mancuso, Paleari, Palibrk, Pasini, Piscitelli, Sampirisi, Santocito, Verdi.
 

ALLEGRI WISHES TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALBAMONTE

MILAN - Before the press conference on the eve of the Derby, Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri has taken time to send best wishes for a speedy recovery to Lieutenant Colonel of the paratroopers of the Folgore, Alessandro Albamonte, who was wounded yesterday in a parcel bomb blast inside the Pisacane barracks in Livorno.

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Derby Preview Part III: Allegri’s Time

Allegri has done well all season long to stifle attack minded teams, he has shown great ability to put forth a well balanced 3 man midfield, and get a decent amount of work from players like Robinho and Prince in the CAM role. Bottom line defense has not been a problem; instead Allegri’s issues have come in the attack and getting this team on the score sheet. As if this problem wasn’t enough, having Zlatan and his fourteen goals in the stands certainly won’t help matters, but as we have discussed in the past this team still has the players to make this work.

For me it all starts with the CAM spot, and depending on who Allegri chooses they will most certainly get a boost at the possible return of Pirlo to his revised role in the wide left of the midfield. Before his injury Milan were cruising with this hybrid wide play maker role, a string of 3 goal games, and a strong defensive spine were key to Milan’s success. Having Pirlo out wide relieves him of defensive duty to some extent, and allows him the time and space to operate in way that brings him back to the World Class status he experienced from 2006-2008. Put him on the field with Prince and you get the best of both Worlds going forward and in defense.

Allegri’s second most important piece of business is the striker combination and for me it has to be Cassano and Pato. I certainly like Robinho, but his tendency to be wasteful in front of goal is unnerving and not needed in a match as important as this one. By playing Pato and Cassano together you also force the defense to contend with the pace of Pato and the craftiness of Cassano, and keeping the all four defenders pinned back and on notice will be key to Milan’s goal of keeping possession and forcing Inter to play defense early and often. It is also important that Allegri and Milan win the midfield battle, not always an easy task with the likes of Cambiasso, a historic thorn in Milan’s side. I expect Van Bommel to get the nod alongside Rino and suddenly this midfield battle alone is as exciting as the derby itself. If Milan can win this battle winning this match will be just as easy.

With that said it is time to share my eleven, hopefully Allegri feels the same!

Abbiati; Abate, Silva, Nesta, Antonini; Pirlo, Van Bommel, Rino; Prince; Cassano, Pato

Again this is dependent on Pirlo being fit and if he is, he simply must play. The rest is close to the formula that has made Milan successful all season and it is time for this team to silence the critics, earn the three points and start to put some breathing room between them and the rest of the table. To date they have always done things the hard way, and finally they have a chance to rectify that and give us what we are all craving, a SCUDETTO. Give us back a chance to prove we are the best team in Milan, give us number 18 putting us on par with Inter, and give Milan fans a chance to celebrate for the first time since winning the Club World Cup. It is time our patience is rewarded!

On a side note, I won’t available during the match my scheduling and rescheduling was an absolute failure so I need all hands on deck here to keep this place fun, sane and civil. I hope to be back Sunday with a recap and maybe even a podcast in the cards so enjoy and FORZA MILAN.

MILAN AND INTER TOGETHER IN MOST IMPORTANT MATCH

MILAN - Milan Foundation is a non-profit organization which since 2003 has undertaken more than 70 projects with a total funding of € 6.5 million, producing on a regular basis and undertaking activities to promote the welfare of weaker sections of the population,with particular attention to children and the protection of their rights. In 2009 Milan Foundation contributed to the reconstruction of L'Aquila with the creation of a recreational-sports center for children in Pagliare di Sassa (AQ), which includes a multipurpose gymnasium and a five-a-side football pitch.Since 1997, Inter Campus has implemented a flexible and long-term social and cooperation programme in 21 foreign countries, assisted by 200 local instructors. The aim of the programme is to use the game of football as an educational tool to restore the right to play to 10,000 needy children between 8 and 14 years the right to play. In 2009 Inter Campus organized football sessions for children in the tented villages most affected, and in 2010 hosted Abruzzo boys and girls for two weeks holiday in Trentino, donating a multi-functional pitch game to the local community of Villa Sant 'Angelo.From this was born the joint initiatives in favour of a hundred boys and girls in L’Aquila and its province, in September 2011: a special day camp will be organized in the area, where the model of educational, recreational and technical experience will be a fusion of Milan Junior Camp and Inter Campus.The goal is to give an unforgettable experience, with professional expertise from the skilled staff in the Rossoneri and Nerazzuri shirts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLARENCE

MILAN - Happy Birthday to Clarence Seedorf who has turned 35. He made his debut for Milan on September 14th 2002 against Modena which finished 3-0 for the Rossoneri. He was born on April 1, 1976 in Paramaribo (Suriname). Seedorf has won one title (2003-2004), 2 Champions League (2002-2003, 2006-2007), 2 European Super Cups(2003, 2007), one Italian Cup (2002-2003), one League Super Cup (2004) and one FIFA Club World Cup (2007) with Milan. He is the only player to have won a Champions League with three different teams: Ajax, Real Madrid and two with Milan.