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12/07/2001. AT STAKE
When two of the greatest teams in the history of European football meet, it is hardly rational to discuss what’s at stake. Pride, honor, morale and of course a very valuable three points are only some of the things at stake when AC Milan host the Old Lady of Turin at the San Siro on Sunday night. 

Grab a young lad in the streets of Italy and he will be able to tell you of the great deeds these teams have accomplished in their illustrious history. AC Milan and Juventus are not just clubs; they are legends of the game. Their story is passed on from generation to generation, not only in Italy, but in the whole world. If 41 league titles, 13 Italian cups, 6 supercups, 19 European trophies and 5 Intercontinental cups between them are not proof of that, then go talk to the li’l lad some more!

HISTORY
The clubs have met 69 times at the San Siro in the past with Milan coming out winners 23 times to Juventus’ 16. There have been 30 draws. For Milan, the biggest victory has been the 4-0 thrashing in 1989. But Juventus will recall with glee that in 1997, they came to Milan and absolutely humiliated their hosts 1-6 in front of a packed house. Well, it wasn’t so packed by the end of it, but Marco Simone did score the one goal for AC and he just might have revenge on his mind.



AC Milan last 6 (all comps): DWWDWD
AC Milan played a very tough match midweek and were made to suffer a lot by Sporting Lisbon who ran the rossoneri defence ragged. However, Ancelotti’s soldiers held firm to record their seventh unbeaten match under their new manager. Boosted by the UEFA cup progress and the win over Chievo the weekend before, their confidence is sky high. Ancelotti has fixed the one problem that (in my opinion) had plagued Milan for more than two years now: he has plugged the leaky defence. The miserly Milan back line has conceded just 3 goals in seven games under him and has been looking better by the day.

Milan’s biggest problems are at the other end of the pitch. Filippo Inzaghi, who off late has been hotter than his more illustrious partner Shevchenko, is out for months and the great Rui Costa has failed to live up to both, his name and fame. The one consolation for Milan remains that Javi Moreno, who was till now regarded as incompatible with the team, scored midweek to clinch a last gasp draw. Veteran Marco Simone too has stated that he wished to earn a first team place alongside Sheva in the absence of Inzaghi. All these are good things for Milan, for it is competition for places that brings the best out of players.

Ancelotti is expected to go with Laursen and Costacurta at the heart of defence with Thomas Helveg returning to right back. “Il metronomo” Albertini is back to marshal the midfield and could have a huge impact on the game if he gets going. Rui Costa will be placed behind the offensive duo of Moreno-Shevchenko in the hope that he will finally shine and lead them to victory.

Juventus last 6 (all comps): WWLWWL
Juventus had put a horrible two months behind them in which they had only collected one win in eight matches. Their clinical demolition of Bayer Leverkusen and victory over Perugia had lifted the pressure of Marcelo Lippi. But, just when things were looking better, they crashed to a 3-1 defeat away to Arsenal.

Lippi will be looking for a reaction from his boys on Sunday and he will hope that skipper Alessandro Del Piero (more than anyone else) leads by example. Del Piero has been one of the bright spots in Juventus’ dull season and seems to have returned to the high standards he was measured by in the 1996. Alongside the lethal Trezeguet, he can form the offensive couple that can do infinite damage to any back line!

The problem for Lippi has mainly been with the form of Edgar Davids and more importantly some of his mega summer purchases. Pavel Nedved, Lilian Thuram and Gigi Buffon have all failed to perform at their very best. While the Frenchman and Italian are slowly settling into a groove, Nedved has been an absolute shocker. Lippi will be hoping that his superstar pack can finally pull themselves together and register a win in Milan.


PROBABLE LINEUPS
AC Milan (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Helveg, Laursen, Costacurta, Maldini; Gattuso, Albertini, Kaladze; Rui Costa; Moreno, Shevchenko

Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Zenoni, Thuram, Montero, Pessotto; Zambrotta, Tacchinardi, Davids, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet