|
Milan face last chance to reel in Juventus
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-10 10:33
ROME, March 10 (Reuters) - It is win or bust for AC Milan's title chances on
Sunday when they take on leaders Juventus in the Delle Alpi stadium.
Ten points behind Juve, who lead the division with 73 points from 28 games,
second-placed Milan know victory is vital if they are to start reeling in the
champions.
A draw would hardly improve their chances, while defeat would not just pack
the title off to Turin, but also leave Milan in danger of surrendering second
place to city rivals Inter who are third with 59 points.
At least Milan can go into the game full of confidence after five straight
Serie A wins and a 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on
Wednesday.
Having struggled to cope with the long-term absences of Paolo Maldini and
Cafu earlier this season, the back four of Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta, Kakhaber
Kaladze and Serginho are as solid as any in the division.
Up front Filippo Inzaghi is playing with the hunger and freshness of a man 10
years his junior.
The 32-year-old striker is enjoying an Indian summer of sorts, scoring seven
goals in his last five Serie A matches before adding a couple more in the win
against Bayern.
If there is one man who really believes Milan can catch Juventus, it's
Inzaghi, who knows a thing or two about unlikely comebacks after spending most
of the past two seasons sidelined by injury.
"I still think we can do it. We have to believe we can do it -- even if it's
a last-ditch hope," Inzaghi was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"This season Juventus have been phenomenal and if they continue to play as
they have it will be impossible.
MORE FRAGILE
"But we have to do everything we can, win all our remaining matches and give
ourselves the best chance possible."
|
