Chievo vs AC Milan Preview: Yepes: Chievo return will be special
Posted Sunday, February 20, 2011 by PA
AC Milan defender Mario Yepes admits it will be an emotional experience when he plays at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium on Sunday for the first time since leaving Chievo in the summer.
The Colombian player spent two years in Verona before moving to the San Siro outfit.
"Sunday will be a special day from the moment I arrive in Verona," Yepes said.
"I am certain I will become emotional. If today I am an AC Milan player it is all thanks to Chievo.
"I spent two fantastic years there. The city, their people will always remain in my heart."
Yepes missed the encounter against his former club earlier this season in Milan through injury.
Milan won that game 3-1.
The Rossoneri will now look to make amends for Tuesday's 1-0 home loss to Tottenham in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 match.
Yepes, who started against the Premier League side, is nevertheless convinced they will fight back in the return game on March 9.
"We didn't deserve to lose and we will go to London looking to turn the tie around," he said.
"We will have to arrive to that game in the best possible way."
In the meantime, Massimiliano Allegri's men must prepare for a challenging schedule in Italy which has them hosting Napoli and visiting Juventus after the Verona clash.
A defeat at Chievo could see red-hot Napoli join Milan at the top of the standings - Napoli lie three points behind Milan and host Catania this weekend.
Not since 2004 has a Milan striker scored at the Bentegodi stadium and Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will look to end that spell as they will lead the Rossoneri forward.
Chievo, meanwhile, fell 4-1 at Cagliari to see their six-match unbeaten run come to an end last weekend.
The result dropped the Flying Donkeys to 11th in the standings, nine points clear of the drop zone.
"We cannot dwell on this defeat," said Chievo coach Stefano Pioli.
"We must put this setback behind us and concentrate on the game against Milan, which will be a difficult one.
"We still need nine points to defend our Serie A status and we must get them as soon as possible."
The hosts will be without suspended defenders Gennaro Sardo and Davide Mandelli.
Milan have recovered goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, who sustained a head injury in midweek.
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