When: Sunday January 14, 15:00 (CET)

Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy

Starting Anew

Milan arguably had a harder year in 2006 than any other club in all of Europe—they lost in the Champions League semifinal (partially due to a refereeing mistake in the second leg); their talismanic striker, Andriy Shevchenko, departed for Chelsea of England (his reason being for the sake of his family, but this is of course debatable due to the riches he received as compensation for the move); they were docked eight points at the start of the season, despite their limited involvement in the betting scandal known as Calciopoli (a low-ranking club official had, on his own volition, supposedly attempted to influence a referee).  

If all this wasn’t enough, they also had a severe loss of form in the first part of this season.  To say they struggled to score goals would be an enormous understatement.  Between the months of September and October, they had a run of seven-consecutive matches without a goal by one of their strikers.   

This stretch has now been broken, however, with the way Alberto Gilardino caught fire at the end of 2006.  He scored five goals in the five matches Milan played during December, and may be ready for a breakout 2007.  

Reggina will also make good use of the New Year to advance themselves.  An eleven-point deduction saw them start the season around the bottom of the table, and they are still in eighteenth place.  All hope is not lost, though, and they should be confident in their ability to avoid the drop to Serie B at the end of this term.  The Amaranto would potentially climb out of the bottom three with a win against Milan.

While their defense has not been anything to brag about this campaign, their attack has been quite good.  Most of the twenty-three goals scored have come through two players: Nicola Amoruso and Rolando Bianchi.  Playing in a supporting role for most of the season, Amoruso has tallied an impressive seven goals so far, and Bianchi has contributed even more up front, with nine goals.  

CURRENT FORM

Milan (D W W, 20 points, 12th place in Serie A)

The Rossoneri finished 2006 in great form.  A hard-fought draw away to Fiorentina was followed by dual 3-0 victories over Catania and Udinese.  It was starting to appear as though the wheels had come off of the Milan machine which had rolled from one success to another in the recent years, but that concern has been tossed out the window. 

Their attacking pedigree has returned with aplomb, and 2007 begins with great expectations.  

Reggina (L L W, 12 points, 18th place in Serie A)

A side generally regarded as an also-ran, Reggina have sparkled at times this season with good attacking football.  They had a bit of a tailspin in the run-up to the end of 2006, but were able to finish the year with a dominant 4-1 home win versus a talented Empoli side.  

TEAM NEWS

Milan, yet again, are without several first-choice players.  Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Nelson Dida are injured, while Giuseppe Favalli and Serginho are not fit either.  Also, Gennaro Gattuso is suspended for this match because of accumulated yellow cards.  

Reggina have no absentees at all for this match, and Daniele Amerini rejoins the side after his suspension.  

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kakà (Milan) – His form was not his best at the end of 2006, mostly because of the attention he received from opposing defenses due to his teammates’ inability to score.  He will be rejuvenated and ready to go in 2007.

Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) – After a long break, players take time to get back in the swing of things, and this is especially true for defenders, so the recently-prolific Bianchi should get some very good opportunities in front of goal.  

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Oliveira, Gilardino

Reggina (3-4-2-1): Pelizzoli; Lanzaro, Lucarelli, Aronica; Mesto, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Leon, Amoruso; Bianchi  

PREDICTION

Both sides will be so anxious to start the year on a high, and this match should be full of attacking chances, but the rust of the winter break will show at times.  Still, Milan will have the majority of the chances, and should be efficient enough to get the win.  

Milan 2-1 Reggina