Cagliari vs AC Milan preview - Stadio Is Arenas set to welcome Milan

Posted Sunday, February 10, 2013 by PA

The venue for Sunday's game between Cagliari and AC Milan changed twice inside 24 hours and both clubs are eager to put a tumultuous week behind them.

The Stadio Is Arenas will host the Rossoneri after Cagliari's mayor's office overturned a Lega Serie A decision to move the game 500 miles north to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

The Rossoblu have struggled to satisfy the health and safety requirements of the local prefecture on a regular basis this season and were forced to play Juventus in Parma before Christmas.

Club president Massimo Cellino got his way on this occasion and a statement was duly published on the club's official website.

It read: "There is a positive solution to the grotesque story of the Is Arenas following Cagliari's decision to comply with the applicable laws.

"The courts have shown rare sensitivity in fully accepting our case. Cagliari will continue to operate in the best interests of the fans and will abide by the rules set by the authorities. Just as it always has."

Cagliari are unbeaten in four games but Nene, Radja Nainggolan and Danilo Avelar will play no part against the Rossoneri due to injury.

Milan, meanwhile, are chasing third place after Mario Balotelli made an instant impact with a brace against Udinese, including a last-minute penalty to win it 2-1.

The headlines continued to focus on the mercurial Italy striker during the week but there was unwelcome coverage when Milan vice-president Paolo Berlusconi was filmed by La Repubblica using a racial term to describe Balotelli at a political rally.

The 64-year-old - the brother of club president Silvio Berlusconi - visited Milanello to clear the air with Milan's £19million striker but the club will be keen to move on from the incident with a positive result in Sardinia.

Polish defender Bartosz Salamon is unlikely to make his debut on Sunday but the deadline-day signing is excited about his future in Rossonero.

He told acmilan.com: "He said it was the chance of a lifetime and I had to take it. I'm playing for the club of my dreams and I can't let this chance get away from me.

"I have a dream and bit by bit, it's coming true. Right now, it's to make my debut for Milan. I hope to be here for a long time and be a part of this project.

"(Alessandro) Nesta is an inspiration and I always liked him a lot, but don't say I'm like him.

"I just want to get back training at the moment. Then I'll try and make the most of any opportunities given to me by the coach."

Midfielders Nigel de Jong and Massimo Ambrosini join defenders Mattia De Sciglio and Philippe Mexes on the treatment table back in Milan while Riccardo Montolivo serves a one-match suspension.