Looney
02-16-2003, 12:19 PM
Milan's attacking stars suggest the similar attacking styles between themselves and Lazio will ensure an entertaining encounter.
“Lazio have more or less the same kind of system as we do,” noted Manuel Rui Costa. “There will be no open team against a side locked down in defence. It will be a test to see who is better at what we do.”
The Rossoneri have shown a tendency to struggle against opponents that batten down the hatches and are aggressive in midfield, so the pace of Roberto Mancini’s men should give viewers an intriguing game.
The 1-0 defeat at Perugia last Sunday was an example of these difficulties, but Andriy Shevchenko poured water on reports of a Milan crisis.
“We didn’t play disastrously badly last week,” commented the Ukrainian. “Fabrizio Miccoli scored a wonderful goal and we lost, but the initiative was constantly with our men.”
The result may prompt Carlo Ancelotti to resume the 4-3-2-1 formation that started the season so well and Shevchenko is tipped to turf out Pippo Inzaghi.
“It is very hard to play upfront when your opponents close down all the spaces and against Perugia I was forced to move out wide. It would be easier with just one striker up there who could move about.”
Rivaldo played for 90 minutes in the midweek international friendly with Brazil, a 0-0 draw in China, so he may be rested ahead of the Champions’ League clash with Lokomotiv Moscow.
Andrea Pirlo should return to the midfield, although Serginho is still in doubt to make his comeback from a sprained ankle.
“Lazio have more or less the same kind of system as we do,” noted Manuel Rui Costa. “There will be no open team against a side locked down in defence. It will be a test to see who is better at what we do.”
The Rossoneri have shown a tendency to struggle against opponents that batten down the hatches and are aggressive in midfield, so the pace of Roberto Mancini’s men should give viewers an intriguing game.
The 1-0 defeat at Perugia last Sunday was an example of these difficulties, but Andriy Shevchenko poured water on reports of a Milan crisis.
“We didn’t play disastrously badly last week,” commented the Ukrainian. “Fabrizio Miccoli scored a wonderful goal and we lost, but the initiative was constantly with our men.”
The result may prompt Carlo Ancelotti to resume the 4-3-2-1 formation that started the season so well and Shevchenko is tipped to turf out Pippo Inzaghi.
“It is very hard to play upfront when your opponents close down all the spaces and against Perugia I was forced to move out wide. It would be easier with just one striker up there who could move about.”
Rivaldo played for 90 minutes in the midweek international friendly with Brazil, a 0-0 draw in China, so he may be rested ahead of the Champions’ League clash with Lokomotiv Moscow.
Andrea Pirlo should return to the midfield, although Serginho is still in doubt to make his comeback from a sprained ankle.