Serie A Betting Preview: Milan aim to build on form before Beckham bluster

Italian Football / Dan Fitch / 25 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Dan Fitch doesn't expect Gennaro "the snarl" Gattusso to be too happy about the prospect of being replaced in the Milan side by a man who has been plying his trade in La-La Land.

Just when you thought that AC Milan couldn't be more over-laden with past their prime international superstars, they make a move for David Beckham. In truth, Beckham still has much to offer at the highest level and could easily have prolonged his career in one of Europe's top leagues, had he not chosen to take the money and play for Disney World FC.

Still, it remains a baffling decision on Milan's part. Who will Beckham replace in the few months that he's showboating around the San Siro? I can't see the likes of either Pirlo or Gattuso being happy about being dropped in favour of a loan signing, whilst Mathieu Flamini is that rare thing at Milan; a player aged under-30 who can still run.

So if the decision is illogical from a football perspective, then it must have been made for financial reasons. If Beckham joins, Milan know that they will sell loads of shirts baring his name and number. It might even prompt a UK broadcaster to cough up for the rights to Serie A and we might once more be able to enjoy the sight of James Richardson reading a newspaper whilst eating an ice cream.

But whilst we all wait on tenterhooks to see where Posh Spice will be doing her shopping for the next few months, Milan have more pressing concerns to deal with. On Sunday they travel to Atalanta and will be looking to build upon their recent good form.

Carlo Ancelotti has remained quiet on the potential signing of Beckham, probably because he has had absolutely no say in it. You do wonder what kind of side he could put together if all Milan's transfer and wage funds weren't blown on Shevchenko et al. My guess would be one that would be capable of putting up a much stronger challenge to Inter in this season's title race.

Inter have publicly been having a laugh at the Beckham deal, snootily declaring it as the sort of deal that would be beneath themselves. Milan seem to be aware that they are the only Italian side who possess the sort of glamour as a brand, that can rival that of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. With Serie A having fallen behind the Premier League and La Liga in terms of profile, Milan clearly feel that signing big names are the best way of keeping them in financially rude health.

On the field, results have been encouraging of late. Milan are unbeaten in their last five games, which included wins over Lazio and Inter. Last weekend they ran out easy 3-0 winners against Sampdoria, with Ronaldinho bagging a brace (though sadly not for his teeth) and good old 'Pipo' Inzaghi coming off the bench to grab the third goal.

This was followed up by a convincing 3-1 win away at Dutch side Heerenveen. A lot of the real golden oldies started this one for Milan, with Inzaghi, Shevchenko, Emerson and Favalli all selected. It highlighted the contempt that Milan have for the UEFA Cup, which is justifiable considering that this is a competition with such low standards that Spurs are in it.

Atalanta have climbed to a useful eighth place, just 3 points off Inter in pole position. They have climbed to such heights on the back of a note perfect home record, comprised of three straight wins. Their danger comes from top scorer Sergio Floccari and their much travelled talisman Cristiano Doni, who continues to defy his years with bravura performances.

Luigi Del Neri's team did the double over Milan last season and also won their home clash with the Rossonieri in 2006/07. Milan's hopes of winning this one should be boosted by the return of Alessandro Nesta, to a defence that is already missing Senderos and Kaladzhe. Christian Vieri is still missing for Atalanta, having been re-signed from Fiorentina this summer, in a transfer move that was so unpopular that the Atalanta fans staged a mass protest at his unveiling.

Atalanta are [5.1], with the draw [3.5] and Milan the [1.87] favourites. Six out of the last eight encounters between the sides have produced over 2.5 goals and I see this as the value bet at [2.16], with a 2-1 Milan win at [9.2].