Allegri asks for new striker in January
Reuters - Friday 26 November 2010, 10:15
MILAN - Brief news ahead of Serie A
matches this weekend.
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is feeling buoyant
ahead of the leaders' trip to Sampdoria on Saturday
but long-term injuries to Filippo Inzaghi and Alexandre Pato
mean he wants a new striker.
"In January the priority is a great forward," Allegri told
Gazzetta dello Sport given most of the goalscoring burden now
falls on Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ronaldinho hopes to return to Milan's starting line-up
after a clever goal in Tuesday's 2-0 win at Auxerre, which put
the Rossoneri into the Champions League last 16 and ended the
controversy over the Brazilian's late nights out.
"Ronaldinho always transmits positive energy," Allegri
added.
Sampdoria will again be without Italy forward Antonio
Cassano, suspended by the club last month for verbally abusing
president Riccardo Garrone. An arbitration case will take place
next Friday to see if Samp can legally void his contract.
Sixth-placed Inter Milan's Goran Pandev must lead the line
alone at home to Parma on Sunday unless Samuel Eto'o wins
his appeal against a three-game ban for headbutting.
Diego Milito is still out but midfielder Sulley Muntari may
give under-pressure coach Rafael Benitez a slight lift on the
injury front after returning to training alongside Thiago Motta.
Mid-table Fiorentina, who visit Juventus on Saturday, could find a new home outside the city limits of
Florence after talks with the council over a stadium to replace
the decaying Artemio Franchi stalled.
"To have a strong and competitive team a new stadium is
necessary. If it's not possible in Florence, we are ready to
look at other boroughs," club owner Diego Delle Valle told La
Stampa.
Fourth-placed Juve have not lost in nine games this season
when midfielder Alberto Aquilani has started so news he has
shaken off a muscle pull will be music to coach Luigi Del Neri's
ears.
"Against Fiorentina, I'll be there," the former Liverpool
player told reporters.