Matchday VII Preview: Verona v Milan

At 37 years old Luca Toni shouldn't scare me.  But when I look at Adil Rami and Alex as the probably starters I struggle to understand how he is going to be kept off the score sheet.  In fact it will be a difficult match against a team level on points but has conceded less then Milan.  Diego Lopez most likely returns in goal though in my opinion Cristian Abbiati did well enough to keep the job.  Defensively Ignazio Abate and Mattia DeSciglio continue to impress and work towards becoming the fullback combination of the future for the Italian National Team.

Nigel De Jong is suspended so an already thin midfield will be challenged this week with Micheal Essien most likely doing the CM duties in between Andrea Poli and Sulley Muntari.  Up front I expect to see Keisuke Honda who is on a tear along with SES and Fernando Torres.  It would almost be a good match to introduce a 4-3-2-1 and force Verona to send bodies to the middle of the field to shield their defense but Filippo Inzaghi has yet to crest that tactical "hump."

My Lineup:

Abbiati; Abate, Rami, Alex, DeSciglio; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Honda, SES; Torres

Yes the match is away from home, and Milan and Verona are tied on points but this is a winnable match.  I am excited to get back to Serie A soccer after a painful International break and hope to see you all here for the match Sunday 9AM Eastern!