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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
CESENA  Antonioli Comotto, Rodriguez, Rossi, Lauro Santana, Colucci, Parolo, PudilIaquinta, Mutu | AC MILAN  Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Mesbah Ambrosini, Van Bommel, NocerinoBoateng El Shaarawy, Maxi Lopez |
Relegation contenders Cesena must start picking up points but have to deal with a few worries in defence. Coach Daniele Arrigoni will not be able to call on centre-back Steve von Bergen, who is recovering in Switzerland after a micro-fracture to his left heel and will not even return to Italy until the end of the month. Former Bologna player Vangelis Moras is not expected to be available until the clash with Fiorentina in early March.
Meanwhile, midfielder Damjan Djokovic continues to train separately due to a knee problem. However, Arrigoni will be able to count on winter loan signings Mario Santana and Vicnenzo Iaquinta, the latter had an impressive debut, scoring despite a 3-2 loss to Lazio.
After the 4-0 success over Arsenal in the Champions League, Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri will be further pleased that some of his stars are recovering for the visitors.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic still has two matches of his three-game ban to serve for slapping a Napoli defender, but defensive midfielder Mark van Bommel returns from suspension after missing the 2-1 victory over Udinese. Kevin-Prince Boateng impressed in his comeback versus the Gunners and should start behind the two strikers.
That match at San Siro on Wednesday also saw Alexandre Pato make a late cameo, but he will likely have to settle for a place on the bench as Robinho and Maxi Lopez vie for a spot alongside Stephan El Shaarawy up front.
There is one extra casualty for Milan though, as Clarence Seedorf suffered a muscle strain and will definitely be absent from the clash at the Dino Manuzzi.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Cesena are currently tied with Novara at the bottom of the table on 16 points and have scored the fewest goals in Serie A this season (15).
- The Seahorses have beaten Milan five times in Serie A during their history and all of those victories have come on home soil.
- Adrian Mutu has scored four goals in league play against the Rossoneri during his career.
- AC Milan have won four of their last five Serie A matches away from home.
- The Rossoneri are the team with the most goals on the road this season, finding the back of the net 21 times in 12 matches.
- El Shaarawy has scored twice in Serie A during 2011-12, both goals coming in separate matches against Udinese, including the winner last weekend.
Cesena will be more rested than their opponents due to Milan playing midweek against Arsenal, but it seems likely that the hosts, especially missing Von Bergen in defence, may not be able hold out against the Rossoneri and their attacking talent despite the absence of the suspended Ibrahimovic.
Editor's Prediction
Cesena 1-2 Milan 
