The Rossoneri, who begin their campaign at home on Sunday against Bologna, have reason to be optimistic this season.Milan missed out on a place in this season's Champions League after coming fifth last term. The San Siro giants have not won the Italian title since 2004 and there will be pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti to deliver.
However, the signings of Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko have strengthened Milan's flagging squad, and club vice-president Adriano Galliani warned it is time for Ancelotti to come up with the results on the domestic stage.
"Milan is a Scudetto team, the coach knows that," said Galliani.
"We must fight for the title. This doesn't mean that we cannot lose, but we certainly must be in contention until the last day of the campaign."
Juventus visit last year's fourth-placed finishers Fiorentina with both teams on a high after safely negotiating the Champions League qualifying phase to reach the group stage of Europe's elite club competition.
The Bianconeri are boosted by the arrival of highly-rated forward Amauri from Palermo, who is set to partner the experienced David Trezeguet in Juve's attacking line.
Last season's runners-up Roma will be without captain Francesco Totti when they entertain Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico.
Totti returned from a long-term knee injury to feature in the Italian Supercoppa earlier this week but picked up an ankle injury that puts him out of Sunday's game.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Siena travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta, Torino host Serie A new boys Lecce and Chievo, another promoted side, entertain Reggina.
Cagliari and Lazio meet in Sardinia and Catania welcome Genoa to the Stadio Angelo Massimino.
Sunday 31st August 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment