Milan take on Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, and their two new signings could make their debuts.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has said that he will possibly start with both of his new signings in tomorrow’s Coppa Italia quarter-final match against Sampdoria. Dutchmen Urby Emauelson and Mark Van Bommel are the two newest recruits at the San Siro, and given Milan’s host of injuries in the midfield department—Mathieu Flamini, Massimo Ambrosini, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Rodney Strasser are all unavailable—both should make their debuts earlier than expected.
“There is a 90% chance that both players will start,” explained Allegri. “Well one of them will start 100%, while the other is 90%.”
Given that Van Bommel joined the Rossoneri today, the 100% starter appears to be Emanuelson. The 24-year-old can play on the left side of either defence or midfield, but he will most likely start in the latter. Mario Yepes’s excellent performance in the center of defence against Cesena may see him get the nod alongside Greek defender Sokratis, which would mean that Thiago Silva may be used in midfield again.
Robinho, Pato, and Ibrahimovic should form the attack, so Antonio Cassano will not start against his old club.
Sampdoria’s coach Mimmo Di Carlo will probably have to do without both Giampaolo Pazzini and Nicola Pozzi, two key players for Sampdoria. There are, then, injury worries on both sides.
Milan have been closely involved with Sampdoria over the last few months. First, they took Cassano off their hands after he was frozen out of the squad for insulting president Ricardo Garrone. Then, they tried unsuccessfully to land left-back Reto Ziegler.
Allegri is not taking tomorrow’s game lightly. Milan are in a fairly secure position atop Serie A, and Allegri knows that to win both the Scudetto and Coppa Italia in his first season with the club would be a colossal triumph.
“There is a 90% chance that both players will start,” explained Allegri. “Well one of them will start 100%, while the other is 90%.”
Given that Van Bommel joined the Rossoneri today, the 100% starter appears to be Emanuelson. The 24-year-old can play on the left side of either defence or midfield, but he will most likely start in the latter. Mario Yepes’s excellent performance in the center of defence against Cesena may see him get the nod alongside Greek defender Sokratis, which would mean that Thiago Silva may be used in midfield again.
Robinho, Pato, and Ibrahimovic should form the attack, so Antonio Cassano will not start against his old club.
Sampdoria’s coach Mimmo Di Carlo will probably have to do without both Giampaolo Pazzini and Nicola Pozzi, two key players for Sampdoria. There are, then, injury worries on both sides.
Milan have been closely involved with Sampdoria over the last few months. First, they took Cassano off their hands after he was frozen out of the squad for insulting president Ricardo Garrone. Then, they tried unsuccessfully to land left-back Reto Ziegler.
Allegri is not taking tomorrow’s game lightly. Milan are in a fairly secure position atop Serie A, and Allegri knows that to win both the Scudetto and Coppa Italia in his first season with the club would be a colossal triumph.
