Derby fever in short supply in Milan

SaturdayChievo     vs     Sampdoria    18:00Genoa     vs     Palermo    20:45

Friday, October 05, 2012

SaturdayChievo     vs     Sampdoria    18:00Genoa     vs     Palermo    20:45SundayAS Roma     vs     Atalanta    12:30Fiorentina     vs     Bologna    15:00Torino     vs     CagliariSiena     vs     JuventusUS Pescara     vs     LazioCatania     vs     ParmaMilan     vs     Inter        20:45    Napoli     vs     UdineseROME - The Milan derby is traditionally one of Serie A’s biggest matches but this weekend the fixture could be played in a half-empty stadium due to AC Milan’s poor start to the season.Milan go into the clash with their arch-rivals in 11th place on seven points, five behind third-placed Inter and nine adrift of leaders Juventus. With top players Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva sold to Paris Saint-Germain, the fans have stayed away from the San Siro in their droves.As of Wednesday only 55 000 tickets had been sold for Sunday evening’s clash, including 23 700 season ticket holders, an unthinkably low number for such an important game. Only 28 000 people showed up last week to see their team win their first home game of the season, 2-0 against Calgliari.Last season a crowd of 79 612 watched Milan beaten 1-0 by a Diego Milito goal, while the previous year 80 000 raised the roof as they destroyed Inter 3-0 on their march to the Serie A title.