A tough tie against Roma awaits AC Milan Saturday ahead of a winter break that they are certain to spend as Serie A leaders.

With 36 points from 16 games, the Devils hold a six-point lead on a
trio of chasers that took shape last weekend after Juventus beat Lazio
2-1 to draw level with the Rome guests and Napoli.

Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic will again be the key striker for the
leaders, who, however, miss Gianluca Zambrotta in defence, Mathieu
Flamini in midfield, plus the long-time injured strikers Pato and
Filippo Inzaghi.

Roma, who sixth in the table and ten points behind Milan will look to
captain Francesco Totti for inspiration at the Giuseppe Meazza. Veteran
Brazilian goalkeeper Alexander Doni will be manning the poles for the
visitors as both Julio Sergio and Bogdan Lobont are injured.

Although Milan go into the top-billing match as the clear favourites,
Juve's director general Giuseppe Marotta said that "the season is still
long and, while Milan depend on Ibra, we rely more on team
organization.

"We have had many different players on target. The team is also
filling the defensive holes they displayed early in the season and show
to have learnt the guidelines of (new coach Luigi) Delneri."

The Turin side look to improve on their record tally of 31 goals at
Chievo on Sunday, when Napoli play at home to promoted Lecce after
qualifying for the knock-out phase of the Europa League with a last-
gasp 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest.

Lazio have striker Sergio Floccari injured and will likely replace
him with veteran Tommaso Rocchi for a home tie against Udinese Sunday at
noon.

The Udine side struggled early in the season, but are now safe in
mid-table largely thanks to league top striker Antonio Di Natale, five
times on target in the past three games.

With his 10 goals, Di Natale leads Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani of
Napoli, Marco Di Vaio of Bologna and Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o, all on
nine.

Palermo are level with Roma for their visit at bottom side Bari on
Sunday, Catania host newcomers Brescia and Parma play a regional derby
with Bologna.

Promoted Cesena welcome Cagliari on Saturday, while Sampdoria and Genoa play a city derby late Sunday.

Champions Inter lag 13 points from the top with a game in hand and
will miss a second against Fiorentina as they play the final of the Club
World Cup Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.

The Serie A resumes with a mid-week round on January 6 and will reach its mid-season point the following weekend.

الموضوع الاصلى : PREVIEW: Table-topping AC Milan welcome Roma المصدر :منتدياتالأكام الكاتب: الأمير

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الموضوع الاصلى : PREVIEW: Table-topping AC Milan welcome Roma المصدر :منتدياتالأكام الكاتب: الأمير