Essien vs Asamoah - In Milan-Juve clash

GHANA’s interest in this weekend’s topliner of the Italian Serie A involving AC Milan and Juventus will be a possible clash between midfield maestros, Michael Essien of Milan, and Kwadwo Asamoah of league leaders, Juventus.

While Essien is yet to secure his feet firmly in the Italian league, Asamoah has been an ever-present feature for the champions.

A revitalised Milan will be without the services of another Ghanaian, Sulley Muntari as he is suspended for the game after picking up his fifth yellow of the season last week.

For the first time this season both teams will come into an encounter on the back of an assortment of similar circumstances.

Milan have been gladly lapping up their 2-0 victory over Sampdoria on the weekend and it is one which evidently underlined that the Rossoneri are on the right track.

It was probably the most convincing Clarence Seedorf’s men have looked since his takeover on the bench and it is one which has also seen the team grow in confidence with every touch of the ball.

“The players must find the belief in themselves. For this reason I’ve changed the way of the trainings: I want the players to play, laugh and enjoy themselves,” Seedorf told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I never get too annoyed if there are any mistakes. I need to show them that above everything they have done well.”

It was Milan’s fourth win out of six matches under the Dutch tactician and they will be itching to make it five when they host a Juventus side undefeated in 2014.

Similarly, Juventus have continued to reap the rewards of a well-formulated squad packed with quality as their only glitch in the New Year has been draws to Lazio and Hellas Verona.

The win 1-0 against last week, was crucial for the Bianconeri as they were able to restore their nine points distance over Roma in the league table.

And with the bragging rights rightfully restored to the Old Lady’s side of Turin, striker Carlos Tevez couldn’t help but flaunt his pride.

“Is there anyone out there who doubts that Turin is black and white?” he said. “Even the trumpets sing like they do at “Fuerte Apache”!”