Roma vs. Milan Preview: Beckham Serie A Debut Imminent

David Beckham, age 33, AC Milan

Without a doubt Serie A’s big fixture this weekend is AC Milan vs. Roma, as the Rossoneri visit the Giallorossi in the late kick-off on Sunday. Neither side is performing to the standards they both expect and a win is a must for both of these Italian giants, in particular if they are too see any success this season.

AS Roma forward Francesco Totti reacts after scoring during the Champions League group A soccer match between AS Roma and Bordeaux at Rome's Olympic stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. AS Roma won 2-0. (AP Photo by PIER PAOLO CITO)Roma will be without star player Francesco Totti, who is sidelined with a thigh injury which could keep him out for some time. The home side lost 3-2 in their last outing (when they were over-turned by lowly Cagliari) and will be keen to get back on to winning ways. Indeed Roma currently sit eleventh in the Serie A table and are, barring a miracle, out of the title race already, with European football being the best they can hope for.

It may all be doom and gloom for Roma but the visiting side AC Milan have a new player up their sleeves.  Former England captain and free-kick specialist David Beckham has joined the Rossoneri on loan and could be set to make his Serie A debut when his new side face Roma at the weekend.  He featured in the friendly match against German side Hamburg, which Milan won on penalties, and could make his first appearance in a Serie A tie this weekend.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 06: David Beckham of AC Milan looks on during the Dubai Football Challenge match between AC Milan and Hamburger SV at The Emirates Sevens Stadium on January 6, 2009 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Getty Images)The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder feels he is ready to step back into one of Europe’s top leagues, and his arrival will surely boost the Milan players even if manager Carlo Ancelotti decides it is not his time yet. It does look like Beckham will play some part in the game, though he may have to settle for a place on the bench. Milan are currently third in the Serie A, but they’re already nine points behind leaders Inter and only the bravest punters would back Milan to make up the deficit and take home the Serie A title with their online soccer betting.  However, there is no doubting the quality in the Milan side and if anyone is going to beat José Mourinho’s Inter side this season it would have to be Milan, as Ronaldinho & friends already proved back in September.

For the more pressing issue of the match in question I’m going to hazard a guess on the score.  My football betting tip would be for a score draw, perhaps 1-1.  Even though Roma have struggled a bit this season they were on quite a good run of form before they lost to Cagliari, and this match is just too important for them to lose.  They may not have Totti in their ranks for this tie but they do have other very talented players such as Vucinic, J.Baptista and De Rossi and those players know what it takes to succeed.  Milan will go out all guns blazing but I think home advantage will play a part and Roma will deal with the Milan threat.  However, it would add to the David Beckham fairytale if he came off the bench and scored a last minute winner with a free-kick, it probably is just wishful thinking that living in Hollywood has inspired a bit of movie magic into his playing style.

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  • 2 Responses to “Roma vs. Milan Preview: Beckham Serie A Debut Imminent”

    1. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Gareth Freeman among us by the way. As part of a partnership between mCalcio and Betfair, Gareth will be writing a weekly column on a variety of soccer-related subjects, principally match previews & betting advice.

      So once again, welcome Gareth. :)

    2. Manutd24 says:

      Great article Gareth. It was a fantastic read.
      Beckham will probably play about 15 minutes of the game, but I doubt that he will make a real impact.
      I guessing an AC Milan win, as Roma will be weak without Totti.