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Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Preview - Coppa Italia final place the prize as Conte's men lead from the first leg The Turin side hold all the cards going into the return fixture set in Juventus Stadium after a 2-1 first leg victory at San Siro back in early February . Mar 20, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS JUVENTUS Storari Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie Borriello, Del Piero AC MILAN Abbiati Bonera, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini Aquilani, Van Bommel, Nocerino Emanuelson Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy Juventus have one foot in the Coppa Italia final after a 2-1 win at San Siro in the first leg and should be full of confidence after their convincing 5-0 triumph over Fiorentina in Serie A. Coach Antonio Conte looks set to go back to a 3-5-2 formation with Giorgio Chiellini recovering from injury to line-up alongside Leonardo Bonucci and Martin Caceres, who scored both goals for the Old Lady in the first leg, while Andrea Barzagli is still nursing a calf injury. Meanwhile Stephan Lichtsteiner, suspended for the club's next Serie A match versus Inter, and Paolo De Ceglie are pushed up into midfield. Bianconeri talisman Alessandro Del Piero is in contention for a place in the starting XI as striker Marco Borriello, playmaker Andrea Pirlo and goalkeeper Marco Storari are almost certain to face their former team from the starting whistle. Needing to overturn the aggregate deficit, Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri welcomes back centre-back Philippe Mexes while veterans Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso could also make appearances at some point. However, although defender Alessandro Nesta and attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng are back in training, neither is likely to participate on Tuesday. Italy international Alberto Aquilani, who has made three substitute appearances in a row for the club, should be handed a first XI berth against his former team-mates while Robinho, Stephan El Shaarawy and Maxi Lopez are all vying for a spot in attack alongside star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. DID YOU KNOW? • Juventus' 5-0 win over Fiorentina on the weekend ended a run of four consecutive draws in the league. • The Bianconeri are tied with Roma for the most Coppa Italia trophies (nine), but have not won the competition since 1995. • Del Piero's only goal this season has come in the Coppa Italia, during the quarter-final win over Roma • AC Milan were the last side in this fixture to score three goals in a single match, when they won 3-0 back in May 2010. • Aquilani, now on loan at Milan from Liverpool, played on loan at Juventus last season, making 34 appearances for the Turin club. • In three competitive meetings this season, Allegri's side have failed to defeat Juventus, drawing one and losing two so far. Head to Head Serie A ‎- Feb 25, 2012 - AC Milan 1 - Juventus 1 Coppa Italia - Feb 8, 2012 - AC Milan 1 - Juventus 2 Serie A - Oct 2, 2011 - Juventus 2 - AC Milan 0 Club Friendlies - Aug 21, 2011 - AC Milan 2 - Juventus 1 Last Four Matches Juventus Mar 17, 2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 5 - Serie A Mar 11, 2012 - Genoa 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A Mar 7, 2012 - Bologna 1 - Juventus 1 - Serie A Mar 3, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Chievo 1 - Serie A AC Milan Mar 17, 2012 - Parma 0 - AC Milan 2 - Serie A Mar 11, 2012 - AC Milan 2 - Lecce 0 - Serie A Mar 6, 2012 - Arsenal 3 - AC Milan 0 - UCL Mar 3, 2012 - Palermo 0 - AC Milan 4 - Serie A Players to Watch Giorgio Chiellini The Juventus side's star defender returns to the starting XI after sitting out the past few games and his ability to shut down Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Rossoneri's attacks will be pivotal to the Bianconeri's chances of earning a place in the domestic cup final. Alberto Aquilani Creativity will be something Milan need if they want to open up coach Conte's rigid defence and Aquilani will be required to not only put his foot on the ball in midfield and control the tempo, but also find some incisive passes to try and put Juventus on the back foot. Prediction AC Milan will feel aggrieved as their last clash in Serie A with Juventus had plenty of controversy regarding Sulley Muntari's 'ghost goal' after his effort appeared to have crossed the line before Gianluigi Buffon's save. However, with the Bianconeri holding a significant away victory already, the Scudetto holders will have to come out and attack and that could play into the hosts' hands. Editor's Prediction Juventus 2 - 2 Milan

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato AC Milan to rest Thiago Silva versus Juventus The highly-rated defender will not feature against the Bianconeri, while Ibrahimovic is also unlikely to play in the game as the Swede has been suffering with a cold. Mar 20, 2012 AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has made the decision to rest defender Thiago Silva in the second leg of the Rossoneri's Coppa Italia semi-final away against Juventus on Tuesday evening, Tuttosport reports. The Brazil international has been a key player for Milan in the 2011-12 campaign, but Allegri supposedly will opt to leave him out of the starting line-up as he feels the upcoming Champions League and Serie A games are of higher importance. With Thiago Silva likely to start Tuesday's encounter from the bench, Allegri is expected to give veteran defender Mario Yepes the chance to prove his worth alongside Philippe Mexes. Meanwhile, it is still not 100 per cent sure whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic will feature at Juventus Stadium. The towering attacker complained about a cold on Monday, and will make a decision about his availability later on Tuesday. Juventus defend a 2-1 lead from the first leg at San Siro with the second encounter set to kick-off at 20.45CET.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Ibra too ill for Juventus-Milan? Mar 20, 2012 There are conflicting reports on whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be able to play in Juventus-Milan tonight, as he is suffering from flu. The Swede already missed the recent 1-1 Serie A encounter due to a ban and was expected to take a key role in tonight’s Coppa Italia semi-final. However, Ibra has been struck down with flu symptoms over the past couple of days and is reported to be running a temperature. Some media sources suggest he will be in the starting XI anyway, whereas others claim he is not fit enough to feature at all. Juventus won the first leg 2-1 at San Siro and kick off tonight at 19.45 UK time.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus to face AC Milan without Buffon, Barzagli & Matri The experienced goalkeeper is being rested for Tuesday's encounter, while the defender and attacker are unavailable due to injury. Mar 20, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte will have to make do without injured duo Andrea Barzagli and Alessandro Matri in Tuesday's Coppa Italia semi-final second-leg encounter at home against AC Milan. In addition, Juve confirmed on their official website that Conte has made the decision to leave Italy international Gianluigi Buffon out of the squad for the match at Juventus Stadium in order to give the goalkeeper a rest. The 30-year-old Barzagli picked up a calf injury in the 1-1 Serie A draw at home against Chievo on March 3, and is still working on his recovery. Matri, 27, has been ruled out of the match versus the Rossoneri as he is being plagued by a minor bruise to his right knee. Juventus defend a 2-1 lead from the first leg at San Siro in Tuesday's return. The match kicks off at 20.45CET.

Mazzone invented playmaker Pirlo Mar 19, 2012 Carlo Mazzone has underlined that he was the first Coach to use Andrea Pirlo as a deep-lying playmaker. The Juventus midfielder shined in the role while at Milan after being used in that position by Carlo Ancelotti, but only after veteran Mazzone saw the possibility first. “Pirlo is a great player,” he told Tuttosport when asked about the 32-year-old. “He suffered when he was fielded as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers. “As a result, I decided to change his role, I placed him as a playmaker in front of the defence,” continued the Roman. “We were at Brescia and the squad laughed with what I had found. But I forced the team to always give him the ball and told him to take the ball off his teammates. “As a deep-lying playmaker he has become what he is and has won everything.” Pirlo started his career at Brescia, but it wasn’t until a loan move back to the club in 2001 that he was transformed into the player he is today. Once his temporary spell with the Stadio Rigamonti outfit ended, he left Inter for Milan on a permanent basis.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Buffon, Matri, Barzagli miss Milan Mar 19, 2012 Juventus Coach Antonio Conte has named a 22-man squad to face Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, with a couple of notable absentees. Conte, who has confirmed that Alessandro Del Piero will start the second leg clash with the Rossoneri on Tuesday, has not selected Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Matri or the injured Andrea Barzagli for the knockout encounter. The Bianconeri welcome Max Allegri’s team to the Juventus Stadium leading 2-1 on aggregate from the first leg. Juventus squad to face Milan: 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 7 Pepe, 8 Marchisio, 10 Del Piero, 11 De Ceglie, 13 Manninger, 14 Vucinic, 17 Elia, 18 Quagliarella, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Vidal, 23 Borriello, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Krasic, 28 Estigarribia, 30 Storari, 31 Branescu, 34 Marrone.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Conte: This will be the most important match of the season Juventus coach insists that the Italian cup is an important target for the club, while stating that veteran Del Piero will start the game upfront for the Bianconeri. Mar 19, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has highlighted the importance of Tuesday's Coppa Italia match against AC Milan. The Bianconeri have taken a big step towards reaching the final of the competition following a 2-1 victory at San Siro in the first leg of the tie. Juventus are four points behind Milan in second place in Serie A, but Conte insisted that he is not thinking about the league table. "This is a match which gives the possibility of winning a trophy," Conte told reporters. "Tomorrow [Tuesday], we will play the most important match of the season. "For us, at a time in which we are in reconstruction, it would be important to bring home this trophy. "This match has nothing to do with what is going on in Serie A, the outcome of the game will not change anything in terms of what the two clubs will do in the league." The 42-year-old trainer then revealed that veteran Alessandro Del Piero will start in the attack against Milan, while Marco Storari will be deployed between the sticks. "Storari will certainly play because he offers a lot of stability," Conte added. "Del Piero will also play, he adds a lot to the team. "I expect a lot from Del Piero and from Juve." Conte also praised the Rossoneri's winning attitude, stating: "I have tremendous respect for Milan. "In the last few years, they have never stopped playing to win. I envy them for this aspect."

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Allegri confident ahead of Juventus match: We will try to overturn the result Milan trainer is wary of the threat posed by the Bianconeri but insisted that his side will give their all to reach the Italian domestic cup final. Mar 19, 2012 AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that his side can defeat Juventus on Tuesday in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie. The Rossoneri will have to work hard to reverse a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, but Allegri trusts his side's chances of getting a good result from their tip to Turin. "We will try to overturn the deficit to reach the final while being aware that this will be a tough match," he told reporters at a press conference. "We are doing well and we know we can turn the tie around. The Coppa Italia is a goal for us and we want to reach the final. "I am convinced that we will play a good game, even though we are missing some players." Allegri confirmed that Philippe Mexes is back after suspension and Clarence Seedorf has fully recovered from an injury, while Robinho and Mark Van Bommel have both been deemed unfit for Tuesday's contest. Kevin-Prince Boateng remains doubtful for the match and his availability will depend on a late assessment on his fitness. Alexandre Pato remains short of match sharpness, and Allegri conceded he is in the dark about the Brazilian striker's recovery time. "He is training, but right now I do not know when he will be available again," the 44-year-old coach said. "He will surely play again before the end of the season." The Italian coach then had some words of praise for Juventus, who head into Tuesday's contest on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Fiorentina. "Antonio Conte's side play very well," Allegri noted. "Against Fiorentina, they showed they are in good physical shape. "Tomorrow will be tough. Both teams are good." Milan's last Coppa Italia trophy was won in 2003 when the Rossoneri defeated Roma 6-3 on aggregate in the two-legged final.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Del Piero: Juventus have to stick together to reach Coppa Italia final The veteran forward is eagerly anticipating the upcoming clash versus the Rossoneri, and also took the time to voice his support for Eric Abidal and Fabrice Muamba. Mar 19, 2012 Juventus attacker Alessandro Del Piero is looking forward to Tuesday's Coppa Italia semi-final second leg at home against AC Milan, and has stressed that the Bianconeri have to stick together and act as a team. The Turin giants defend a 2-1 lead from the first leg, and Del Piero feels that Juventus are ready to meet the Rossoneri following their impressive 5-0 away win over Fiorentina on Saturday. "We will play the return of the semi-final of the Coppa on Tuesday, and it will be a tough match. It is important to stick together in order to achieve our goal of making it to the final," Del Piero was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. "We really needed this weekend's win over Fiorentina. It's the perfect preparation for the match versus Milan, and a real confidence boost." The 37-year-old, who is expected to feature from the start on Tuesday, then went on to voice his support for Barcelona defender Eric Abidal and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba. "My thoughts are with Muamba and Abidal. It's impossible not to be upset with what has happened. You can't think of a football pitch as a place where people suffer like this. We are all supporting Fabrice, and I'm confident that Eric will win this battle, too." Abidal is due to undergo a liver transplant in the upcoming weeks, while Muamba currently lies in hospital in critical condition following his cardiac arrest during the FA Cup game versus Tottenham.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Ibrahimovic: AC Milan are going to Juventus to qualify for Coppa Italia final The Sweden international has stressed that the Rossoneri will do their utmost to eliminate the Old Lady, and feels they can beat Barcelona in the Champions League. Mar 19, 2012 AC Milan attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is eagerly anticipating the second leg of the Rossoneri's Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus on Tuesday. The San Siro outfit were beaten 2-1 at home in the first leg back in February, but Ibrahimovic believes they have what it takes to turn the tie around in the return clash at Juventus Stadium. "We are going to Turin to qualify for the final. We know that it will be tough, but it's possible and we want to make it through," Ibrahimovic was quoted as saying by Aftonbladet. The Sweden international admitted he is not fully match fit, but insisted that he will be ready to feature against the Old Lady. "I have a bit of a cold at the moment, but nothing can stop me from playing." The 30-year-old then went on to discuss the upcoming Champions League quarter-final showdown against Barcelona, and is confident that Milan have the quality to progress. "It will be a difficult tie, but it's not impossible. We don't have any fear. We do not only want to win, but we have to beat them. We have already met them before, and the next two games won't be too different to those encounters. It will be difficult matches." The first leg of the Champions League tie versus Barca takes place at San Siro on March 28.

Mexes manda a quel paese il pubblico .... é pazzo

Il Milan cerca il rigore

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (Second Leg) - 20-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Del Piero to start for Juventus against AC Milan The veteran attacker has mainly been warming the bench in the 2011-12 campaign, but is expected to feature from the start versus the Rossoneri in the cup midweek. Mar 19, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte is ready to give Alessandro Del Piero the chance to prove his worth in the upcoming Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against AC Milan on Tuesday, La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reports. The 37-year-old attacker has been struggling to get regular action for the Bianconeri in the 2011-12 campaign, but will supposedly feature from the start in Turin. Del Piero is expected to form an attacking partnership with Montenegro international Mirko Vucinic in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. It will be only the seventh time this season that Del Piero will feature from the start. He also started in the first meeting between the two teams on February 8. The Turin side recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Italian cup tie at San Siro and will be looking to successfully defend their lead in the return at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday, kicking off at 20.45CET.

Fallo di Borriello secondo Orsato

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