`Batigol' Vs. Bierhoff in Battle of the Aces
February 6, 1999 - 0:0
MILAN The two deadliest marksmen in Italian football come face to face this weekend when Fiorentina's Gabriel Batistuta takes on Oliver Bierhoff of AC Milan in a crucial Serie A match. Fiorentina are top of the table with a three-point lead over Lazio thanks largely to the league's top scorer, Batistuta, and his astounding 18 goals in 19 games. But Milan are now just five points behind in third place, following the return to form of the Serie A's top scorer last season, Bierhoff. On Sunday, the two men will be looking to earn three points that will probably change the course of the championship.
Victory for Fiorentina, who have won all 10 home games so far, would almost certainly knock Milan out of the title race. But a fourth consecutive win for Milan would throw that race wide open, particularly as Lazio are likely to beat Perugia and therefore go top on goal difference. With so much at stake, the pressure on the two goalkeepers Fiorentina's Francesco Toldo and AC Milan stand-in Christian Abbiati will be huge.
Toldo admitted: Bierhoff is an extremely talented striker. He's good in the penalty area, he's powerful, fast and very strong in the air. A truly great goalcorer. But even so, I consider myself very lucky to have never faced someone like Batistuta. Gabriel has something extra that the others don't, he's the best in the world and a real leader as well.
I really wouldn't want to be in Abbiati's shoes on Sunday. Batistuta, who scored a hat-trick in their 3-1 away win over Milan last September, will be supported by Brazilian forward Edmundo and Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa. However, Luis Oliveira and Christian Amoroso are not fit, Sandro Cois was ill during the week and defender Moreno Torricelli had to miss training.
The problems were then topped off by the volatile Edmundo, who broke the foot of his best friend Francesco Flachi in a training match. Milan have no major injury worries, with Bierhoff, George Weah and Brazilian Leonardo leading the charge, while Argentinian midfielder Andres Guglielminpietro looks to have played himself into the side. Skipper Paolo Maldini, who claims to detect the smell of title success in the air, is buoyant about their chances despite the threat from `batigol'.
Fiorentina's strength in attack is incredible, Maldini said. Batistuta is not just living up to his reputation he's even better than before. This match is more decisive for us, than for them. But we'll be there to take our chance. I think it's going to be a very open game. Lazio are hoping to make a slice of history with a new club record of nine consecutive league wins.
The most prolific attack in Italian football, led by Christian Vieri, Chilean Marcelo Salas and veteran Roberto Mancini, should have a field day. Vieri, who grew up in Australia with a poster of Mancini on his bedroom wall, admitted: Sometimes I look at Roberto and I can't believe that I'm playing alongside him. He's just great. Struggling champions Juventus risk their second straight defeat at home to Parma while Inter Milan, who have scored an amazing 20 goals in their last four home games, get more target practice here against Empoli. (AFP)
Victory for Fiorentina, who have won all 10 home games so far, would almost certainly knock Milan out of the title race. But a fourth consecutive win for Milan would throw that race wide open, particularly as Lazio are likely to beat Perugia and therefore go top on goal difference. With so much at stake, the pressure on the two goalkeepers Fiorentina's Francesco Toldo and AC Milan stand-in Christian Abbiati will be huge.
Toldo admitted: Bierhoff is an extremely talented striker. He's good in the penalty area, he's powerful, fast and very strong in the air. A truly great goalcorer. But even so, I consider myself very lucky to have never faced someone like Batistuta. Gabriel has something extra that the others don't, he's the best in the world and a real leader as well.
I really wouldn't want to be in Abbiati's shoes on Sunday. Batistuta, who scored a hat-trick in their 3-1 away win over Milan last September, will be supported by Brazilian forward Edmundo and Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa. However, Luis Oliveira and Christian Amoroso are not fit, Sandro Cois was ill during the week and defender Moreno Torricelli had to miss training.
The problems were then topped off by the volatile Edmundo, who broke the foot of his best friend Francesco Flachi in a training match. Milan have no major injury worries, with Bierhoff, George Weah and Brazilian Leonardo leading the charge, while Argentinian midfielder Andres Guglielminpietro looks to have played himself into the side. Skipper Paolo Maldini, who claims to detect the smell of title success in the air, is buoyant about their chances despite the threat from `batigol'.
Fiorentina's strength in attack is incredible, Maldini said. Batistuta is not just living up to his reputation he's even better than before. This match is more decisive for us, than for them. But we'll be there to take our chance. I think it's going to be a very open game. Lazio are hoping to make a slice of history with a new club record of nine consecutive league wins.
The most prolific attack in Italian football, led by Christian Vieri, Chilean Marcelo Salas and veteran Roberto Mancini, should have a field day. Vieri, who grew up in Australia with a poster of Mancini on his bedroom wall, admitted: Sometimes I look at Roberto and I can't believe that I'm playing alongside him. He's just great. Struggling champions Juventus risk their second straight defeat at home to Parma while Inter Milan, who have scored an amazing 20 goals in their last four home games, get more target practice here against Empoli. (AFP)