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Journalism of Courage
All of a sudden theres a three-way fight for the Serie A title. AC Milan trail leaders Inter Milan by just one point and AS Roma are only four points back. With nine rounds remaining,they havent been this close in the Italian league in eight years. Its not easy to make predictions. Its an unusual season, Milan coach Leonardo said. Milan have a lot of desire,Roma have had a good run of positive results and are trying to keep going,but Inter still have the ball in their hands.
With nine rounds remaining back in 2001-02,it was even closer with only two points separating the top three teams and Juventus ending up edging Roma by one point for the title,with Inter finishing two points back. Inter host last-place Livorno in Wednesdays midweek round,Milan visit Parma and Roma play at Bologna.
Milan have more injury problems after forward Alexandre Pato was diagnosed with a muscle tear in his leg that will keep him out at least a month. Last week,defender Alessandro Nesta and David Beckham each had surgery. Milan forward Marco Borriello has also had a series of physical problems,prompting Leonardo to recall 36-year-old striker Filippo Inzaghi to the starting lineup after a five-month absence for Milan8217;s 1-1 draw with Napoli last weekend. Inzaghi scored a 26th-minute equaliser. Will Inzaghi have another five months on the bench before he starts again?
I hope not, he said. Im going to train with the same dedication that I always do and hopefully persuade the coach to play me. Otherwise,Ill wait for my turn like always. The good of Milan comes before everything else. At the beginning of the season,nobody would have bet on us to fight for the title down to the end.
In Leonardos first year in charge,Milan had a difficult start to the season,as did Roma,who quickly replaced coach Luciano Spalletti with Claudio Ranieri,who now have Roma playing the most consistent football in Italy. The comeback is possible. Inter8217;s the favorite but we believe in ourselves, Norway defender John Arne Riise said. Its key for us to win in Bologna so we can play all of our cards against Inter.
Roma defender Juan is suspended for the Bologna match,but Philippe Mexes is returning,as are David Pizarro,Daniele de Rossi and Rodrigo Taddei. Captain Francesco Totti,meanwhile,is aiming to return against Inter this weekend.
Bothered by numerous injuries all season,including a right knee operation at the end of October,Totti has played in only 15 of 29 Serie A games.
Juventus remain two points out of the Champions League places after a 1-0 loss to Sampdoria on Sunday. With Gianluigi Buffon still making his way back from a thigh problem,second-string goalkeeper Alex Manninger should return at Napoli on Thursday.
