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Match - Fri 15 February, 21:45, San Siro
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 29. Gabriel Paletta (39’) [OG] | 0. Nicola Sansone (90 + 3’) |
| 45. Mario Balotelli (77’) |
Parma hoping Milan have UCL distraction
Kevin-Prince Boateng could make way for Sulley Muntari when they face Parma
The match will take place at the San Siro on Friday evening, with kick-off at 21h45 (CAT)
A big test presents itself for the Rossoneri this next week, when they return to European club football against the mighty Barcelona for the first leg of the round of the last 16.
Having suffered elimination from the tournament to the same Spaniards last season, Massimilano Allegri will be sure that his charges are fit and fired up for the encounter.
However, they still have one team standing in their way when they take on a Parma side that is lead by a Milan legend, Roberto Donadoni.
The 49-year-old tactician has been a revelation since joining the Parmigiani in January 2012 and under his guidance he has seen them remain in the top half of the Serie A table throughout this season.
One loss in eight games further underlines the work Donadoni has done with the squad, and they will certainly be looking to come away with some form of a positive result, despite having three notable absentees.
McDonald Mariga, Daniele Galloppa and goalkeeper Antonio Mirate will all be absent from the fixture due to injury, while the hosts are expected to ring in their own changes for the encounter.
With one eye already on the next week’s highly anticipated affair, Allegri has confirmed that he will be resting a handful of players, namely that of Stephan El Shaarawy.
The Egyptian-born Italian has been off his game in recent times and it has since been revealed that it is due to knee tendonitis, possibly ruling him out of the clash in order to be fit for Barcelona.
Kevin-Prince Boateng could make way for Sulley Muntari again, while Mario Balotelli will continue to keep his place as he will take no part in the Champions League fixture.
Set to possibly make his debut for the Rossoneri, and against his former club, is Cristian Zaccardo, who is well aware of the threat the minnows possess.
"They have not been getting results of late but they are a good side and I know them and their coach well. Donadoni has been doing a good job there and they play good football,” he told acmilan.com.
Milan failed at the opportunity of moving one point shy of third place last weekend, when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Cagliari, and even though the Champions League may be their last remaining silverware they can contend for, they simply cannot afford to drop more points.
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