Alexandre Pato grabbed a decisive goal as Milan get back on track following two defeats on the trot, but relegation is becoming a real threat for the Granata.
These were desperate times for both teams after two straight losses. The Rossoneri's midweek home defeat to Sampdoria not only left them four points adrift of fourth place, but also put their UEFA Cup spot under pressure. Toro had Nikola Lazetic suspended and Matteo Sereni injured, while Kaka, Pippo Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Marcos Cafu and Serginho were sidelined.
Milan had not lost in Turin since November 2001, winning both their following visits. Torino had the first chance when Roberto Stellone held off Kakha Kaladze to thump the side-netting.
At the other end Alberto Maria Fontana beat away a deflected Andrea Pirlo free
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MILAN - Here are Milan's 21 called up players for the away game in Turin: Dida, Fiori, Kalac, Digao, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Simic, Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf, Gilardino, Paloschi, Pato. Unavailable players: Bonera, Cafu, Serginho, Kakà, Inzaghi, Ronaldo.
Milan tumbled to a shock home defeat that sees Sampdoria close to within a point and the Champions League dreams perhaps evaporate completely.
Few would have expected it at the start of the season, but this was effectively a head-to-head for UEFA Cup football. Just two points divided the teams going in. Milan were still smarting from their 2-1 loss at Roma and were without Ronaldo, Pippo Inzaghi, Marcos Cafu, Serginho and Yoann Gourcuff. Antonio Cassano continued to sit out his five-match ban and was joined by Daniele Franceschini on the naughty step.
Samp had not won here since a 3-2 result on February 2, 1997. Zeljko Kalac recovered from injury to start this game and took the sting out of an early Emiliano Bonazzoli attempt.
Ludovic Giuly and Mirko Vucinic overturned Kaka's goal in three minutes for Roma's 2-1 victory over Milan.
There was a great deal at stake at the Olimpico, as the Giallorossi needed to keep up the pressure on Inter and the visitors had to maintain their race for a top four finish. Gennaro Gattuso returned from suspension, but Alessandro Nesta, Nelson Dida, Serginho, Marek Jankulovski, Ronaldo, Pippo Inzaghi and former Roma hero Marcos Cafu didn't make the trip. This meant Carlo Ancelotti - an ex-Giallorossi hero as a player - was able to field a Christmas Tree formation.
Christian Panucci performed a perfectly-timed challenge to tackle Kaka in the box, while Giuseppe Favalli had to clear for a corner when a dangerous Amantino Mancini cross fou
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Massimo Ambrosini and Kaka both scored in the last five minutes as Milan picked up a crucial 3-1 win over Empoli at the Stadio Castellani.
Empoli came into this game without leading scorer Nicola Pozzi, who was out for the rest of the season. The Milan-owned Lino Marzoratti, and Davide Moro were both suspended, but Felice Piccolo returned from a ban. Luca Saudati was employed as the lone striker.
Milan were without Gennaro Gattuso, who was serving a one-game suspension, as well as the injured Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Serginho and Ronaldo. Alexandre Pato started up-front alongside Alberto Gilardino.
There was a tense start to the game with neither side able to get their passing game going. The first shot of the game came from Ignazio Abate but it was well over. Young starlet Sebastian Giovinco then charged into the penalty area and went down under pressure from Massimo Ambrosini but the referee was
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MILANELLO - Here are the 21 players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for tomorrow's match against Arsenal: GOALKEEPERS:Kalac, Fiori, Offredi DEFENDERS: Bonera, Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Simic MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Gattuso, Emerson, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Paloschi, Pato, Kakà.
