A point to prove

Milan travel to Siena later today in a game that marks the beginning of a new dawn for the club. Milan, as we all know, had a dismal preseason but all that will be forgotten if Leonardo can engineer a Milan win. Despite their poor preseason form and the lack of new signings apart from Huntelaar, Milan go into this encounter as favourites.

Last season, in the same fixture, Milan ran riot winning five goals to one with the aid of former stars Beckam and Kaka. With these players no longer at the club, it is up to stars Pato and Pirlo to take on the responsibility and lead Milan to victory. However, the player with the greatest responsibility of filling the void Kaka left is of course Ronaldinho.

The stage is set for Ronaldinho. Whether he is able to regain the form of that made him King will prove to be one of the most fascinating tales this season. This season’s opener will provide some indication as to how this story will unfold. We will have to wait and see.

The success in the Trofeo Berlusoni instilled some renewed sense of confidence in the squad. Albeit by penalties, that victory against Juventus was a massive psychological boost for the team and it came at exactly the right time.

Milan will be without a number of key players but I to expect them to win. Ronaldinho will be keen to send out an early message as will the rest of the squad after a somewhat troubling summer.

Forza Milan

Team news

Christian Abbiati, Clarence Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini are all out injured whilst Huntelaar will have to wait before making his Serie A bow as he is suspended for one match.

With the absence of these players the lineup is fairly predictable. Thiago will lineup alongside Nesta in the heart of defense, Zambrotta and Jankulovski as the full backs. In midfield, Pirlo will be protected by Flamini and Gattuso with Ronaldinho in behind the strikers. Pato will definitely be one of those with either Borriello or Inzaghi to play alongside.