Stadio Marc'Antonio BentegodiThis may not be the mighty Chievo side that came up and set Serie A alight in 2001, but it’s definitely close.
Having been unable to lead Parma away from relegation last season, Mimmo Di Carlo is working miracles with the Flying Donkeys.
Sunday’s 3-3 draw at second placed Juventus certainly felt like a win and so it should after Chievo equalised in the final minute.
The result was hardly a fluke either. The Flying Donkeys twice took the lead and made Juventus uncomfortable for long spells.
Chievo have now only lost once in their last 13 games and that defeat, which came against Fiorentina, was undeserved.
The Flying Donkeys, who looked a sure bet to go down before the winter break, are now seven points clear of the drop zone.
Their eight remaining games are tough, though. After Milan this weekend they still have to face Inter, Genoa, Roma and Napoli.
The Rossoneri are on form too, though, but needed stoppage time to beat lowly Lecce, who put up a real fight on Sunday night.
Ronaldinho opened the scoring in the 91st minute before the evergreen Pippo Inzaghi doubled Milan’s lead two minutes later.
The win means Milan keep Genoa at bay and have an outside chance of catching Juventus, who lie five points ahead of them.
The Rossoneri do have problems at the back, though, as Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze and Daniele Bonera are all out injured.
Despite laying up Ronaldinho on Sunday, Philippe Senderos has hardly convinced, although he’ll partner Giuseppe Favalli in central defence this weekend.
Milan are now unbeaten in their last five games and have a relatively easy run in April, comprised of matches against Torino, Palermo and Catania.
That said, their final four games couldn’t be any tougher, coming as they do against Juventus, Udinese, Roma and Fiorentina.
Keep an eye on: Sergio Pellissier (Chievo) – Coming off scoring a hat trick against Juventus is perfect preparation for any encounter with Milan. Add to that the fact Pellissier has already scored against the Rossoneri in his long career and you get the feeling Chievo could pull off another shock this weekend.
Form Guide: Chievo (W D W W D) Milan (L W W D W)
Last season: Chievo 0-1 Milan
Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Sardo, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Pellissier, Bogdani
Milan (probable): Dida; Zambrotta, Favalli, Senderos, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Pato, Inzaghi
Ref: To follow.
Channel 4CHIEVO-MILAN: CARLO ANCELOTTI'S CALLED-UP PLAYERS
MILANELLO - These are the 20 called-up players of coach Carlo Ancelotti for the clash of tomorrow against Chievo: Dida, Kalac, Perucchini, Antonini, Darmian, Favalli, Jankulovski, Mattioni, Senderos, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Beckham, Flamini, Pirlo, Inzaghi, Kakà, Pato, Seedorf, Shevchenko, Ronaldinho. Indisponibli: Abbiati, Bonera, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Gattuso, Borriello. Non convocati: Cardacio, Emerson
ACMilan.com
CHIEVO-MILAN: OFFICIAL FORMATIONS
Here are the official formations of Chievo-Milan:
Chievo: Sorrentino; Sardo, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani, Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Pellissier, Bogdani.
Milan: Dida; Zambrotta, Senderos, Favalli, Jankulovski; Pato, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Inzaghi.
ACMilan.com
