Preview: Parma look to consolidate European football at expense of ragged and wounded Milan
What a difference a season can make.
Last year, Parma finished the league campaign in 10th place, all in all, a good showing for a club of its size with 49 points. Milan, on the other hand, completed their topsy-turvy season in third, with their 70 points just enough to earn Champions League football at the expense of Fiorentina.
Well, now the tables have turned. It's the Crociati who are in contention for European football, with a respectable sixth place position and an unbeaten record stretching back to November 2 when they lost 1-0 to Juventus. Their 43 points see them just two behind fourth-placed Fiorentina and moreover, Roberto Donadoni's men still have a game in hand after their clash with Roma was suspended due to pouring rain.
Milan are coming off another dismal week which saw them dumped out of the Champions League by a rampant Diego Costa-led Rojiblancos. And, with just 35 points, they are eight off that last European football spot occupied by their opponents, with the only thing keeping them in the top half of the table is their slightly superior goal advantage over 11th-placed Genoa.
However, despite their struggles, Parma coach Roberto Donadoni, who famously donned the Rossoneri jersy for a decade between 1986 and 1996, still considers his former side a potentially tricky opponent.
"Milan will have a thousand reasons to give their all on the pitch [tomorrow]," he stated in his press conference.
"And after exiting the Champions League and facing all that criticism for their performances in the league so far, it will be difficult for us against them."
However, the visitors, as mentioned previously are on a 15-match unbeaten streak and will only miss Gabriel Paletta due to suspension, so Donadoni will have a full-strength squad avaliable at his disposal, including former Diavolo attacker Antonio Cassano.
As for Clarence Seedorf, the new Rossoneri coach hit back at the criticism leveled at his side as of late.
"I'm not the only one responsible for Milan's struggles," the former midfielder reiterated when discussing the team's performance in their league and domestic campaigns.
Well, he will certainly be desperate to get back on track after a dismal run of form that has seen Milan lose their last three fixtures in a row to Juventus, Udinese, and most recently, the 4-1 trouncing by Atletico Madrid.
In terms of personnel, the only notable absences will be Stephan El Shaarawy, who has not featured since last year due to foot surgery, and young defender Mattia De Sciglio also will miss out due to a ban.
Eight points currently split these two sides, but that number could certainly increase--or decrease--depending on the outcome of Sunday's encounter. This time last season, it would have been Milan contending for a European spot whilst Parma fought to stay in the top half of the table. However, much has changed since then.
Who will prevail? Tune in to find out.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Milan vs. Parma live on Sunday, March 16, 2014:
In Canada at 10.00 ET on: RAI International, beIN Sports Play Canada
In the USA at 10.00 EST on: SiriusXM FC, RAI International, beIN Sports Play, beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports USA
In the UK at 14.00 GMT on: BT Sport 1
In Italy at 15.00 CET on: Sky Calcio 1, Premium Calcio 1
For live scores and more live listings of this Serie A clash, visit the Milan vs. Parma match page.
