AC Milan Journal

MILAN SIGN MONTOLIVO & TRAORE

2012-05-19T10:51:00.003-07:00

Both midfielders, Traorè arrives from French club Nancy and Montolivo has joined Milan after his contract at Fiorentina expired.
The Malian, 27, has signed a deal until June 2015, while Italian international Montolivo has committed his future to Milan until 2016.
Traorè revealed earlier this month that he was heading to the San Siro, while Montolivo underwent his medical in Milan on Wednesday.

AMBROSINI EXTENDS CONTRACT

2012-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Captain had been one of many players whose deals were set to expire this summer.
While others such as Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Pippo Inzaghi, Clarence Seedorf, Gianluca Zambrotta and Mark van Bommel will walk away, Ambrosini put pen to paper on a new contract.
The news was announced by Milan on their official website.

VAN BOMMEL REJOINS PSV

2012-05-19T10:29:00.002-07:00

Van Bommel, who returns to the team he spent six years earlier in his career, confirmed over the weekend the rumours that he would be leaving Milan at the end of the season when his contract expired.
With Milan’s season now ended, the 35-year-old midfielder, who won a Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana with Milan in an 18-month spell, has completed his move back to PSV.
“This is deal we have been working on for a very long time,” confirmed technical director Marcel Brands in confirming the news on the Dutch side’s official website.
“We are please to have finally succeeded in signing such an internationally experienced player, with a great history at PSV and who is also the captain of the national team.”

BERLUSCONI: MILAN LOST THE SCUDETTO

2012-05-08T06:57:00.002-07:00

Juventus sealed the Scudetto on Sunday evening after stretching their lead over Milan to an insurmountable four points with just one game to now play.
However, Berlusconi believes that whilst Juventus deserve credit for their success, it was also assisted by Milan’s shortcomings.

At the end of March, Milan commanded a four-point lead over Juve, but saw that dissipate after a run of one win from four games.
“We lost the championship because it was us who threw it to the wind, it’s our fault,” admitted Berlusconi, speaking in Moscow today.
“But Juve have also earned it through perseverance, they were unbeaten and it showed. Truly heartfelt congratulations.
“Allegri? He has a two-year contract, I don’t see why there should be these discussions about him.”

INTER 4 - 2 MILAN

2012-05-08T06:45:00.002-07:00

Milan closed the gap to just one point midweek and absolutely had to beat their rivals to keep that title race alive into the final round.
Milan’s injury list included Thiago Silva, Seedorf, Antonini, Pato, Pippo Inzaghi and Zambrotta. Boateng and Robinho pushed Cassano on to the bench while Muntari faced his former teammates.

Scorers: 14', 51' & 79' (penalties) 44' (penalty), 46' Ibrahimovic, 87' Maicon.
INTER (4-3-2-1): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Guarin (61' Obi), Cambiasso, Zanetti; Sneijder, Alvarez (77' Pazzini), Milito.
Subs Not Used: Castellazzi, Cordoba, Ranocchia, Palombo, Zarate.
Coach: Stramaccioni

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati (34' Amelia); Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Bonera (21' De Sciglio); Nocerino, Van Bommel, Muntari (78' Cassano); Boateng; Ibrahimovic, Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Mexes, Gattuso, Aquilani, Maxi Lopez.
Coach: Allegri

Yellow Cards: Julio Cesar, Zanetti, Alvarez, Nocerino, Abate, Van Bommel.

Highlight Video:

BERLUSCONI ERA: 2000 GOALS

2011-10-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

An important milestone was achieved in the Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen.
Milan scored the 2,000th goal in the Berlusconi era, with Antonio Cassano's goal entering the Milan record books.
Here is a list of all the Milan goalscorers in the 25 years of the Silvio Berlusconi era:
Shevchenko 175, Inzaghi 125, Van Basten 125, Kakà 95, Simone 75, Massaro 70, Seedorf 60, Pato 58, Weah 58, Gullit 56, Virdis 47, Bierhoff 45, Gilardino 44, Pirlo 41, Ambrosini 35, Tomasson 35, Savicevic 34, Maldini 33, Papin 31, Boban 30, Leonardo 30, Albertini 28, Rijkaard 26, Ronaldinho 26, Serginho 24, Donadoni 23, Ibrahimovic 23, Borriello 21, Baggio 19, Crespo 18, Baresi 17, Evani 17, Lentini 16, Robinho 15, Jose Mari 14, Kaladze 13, Eranio 12, Ganz 12, Panucci 12, Ancelotti 11, Gattuso 11, Others scorers under 10 goals: 340

Milan 2 - 0 Viktoria Plzen

2011-09-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Milan welcomed back Ibrahimovic and Antonini from injury, though Cassano was the only other available striker. Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Philippe Mexes and the suspended Gennaro Gattuso were out, plus Pippo Inzaghi and Stephan El Shaarawy were not on the UEFA list.

Scorers: 53' Ibrahimovic (penalty), 66' Cassano.
MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate (87' De Sciglio), Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini (78' Taiwo); Nocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf (70' Aquilani); Emanuelson; Cassano, Ibrahimovic.
Subs Not Used: Amelia, Yepes, Bonera, Ganz.
Coach: Allegri

VIKTORIA PLZEN (4-2-3-1): Cech; Rajtoral, Cisovsky, Bystron, Limbersky; Pilar (75' Fillo), Jiracek, Horvath, Kolar (91' Darida), Petrzela; Bakos (67' Duris).
Subs Not Used: Pavlik, Trapp, Reznik, Sevinsky.
Coach: Vrba

Yellow Cards: Cisovsky, Horvath, Petrzela, Cech.

Highlight Video:

ALLEGRI: 'LET'S CLONE SEEDORF'

2011-09-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Dutchman got the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Cesena, which represented their first win of the Serie A season.

“Seedorf had a great game. Unfortunately he’s 35 years old and can’t play constantly. Maybe we should clone him!” joked the Coach.
“Antonio Cassano had a great game, while Stephan El Shaarawy needs to be given the time and space to grow. He was less sharp than on Wednesday, but it’s not easy to start at San Siro at his age.”
Taye Taiwo received his Serie A debut, but was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card before half-time.
“Taiwo was playing his first game in a long time, so when attacking he often got his timing wrong, while in defence he was either too tight or too wide, but he didn’t disappoint me.
“We were all a bit sluggish at the end and risked conceding an equaliser, so we should certainly have finished off the game earlier. We had good chances and didn’t take them.
“In any case, the performance was solid and above all we kept a clean sheet.”

Heartbreak & Hope For Pippo

2010-11-12T22:52:00.000-08:00

The 3-1 victory over Palermo came at a heavy price.
“AC Milan announce that the player Filippo Inzaghi underwent tests this morning which confirmed the lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament and associated lesion to the external meniscus of the left knee,” read a statement.
“After a specialist consultation with Dr Piero Volpi, a surgical intervention was advised.”
This means the season is effectively over for Inzaghi. Pato also limped off during the same match with a minor thigh strain, but it is still enough to rule him out of matches against Inter on Sunday and Fiorentina on November 20.
Inzaghi insists, “I will do everything to ensure this is not the end.”
“Life and football are like this. One minute you’re playing and fighting, the next you’re clutching your knee in your hands,” he wrote on the official club website.
“A minute after that you are looking around you. What I saw around me was all of you. Thank you.
“I have been moved by all of you, the club, the Coach, my teammates and fans. I look to you and in turn you embrace me.”
“Deep down in your hearts you all know, as do I, that it will be difficult, but I won’t give up. I will do everything, believe me, to ensure this is not the end.
“I will do that in part thanks to your strength and energy.”
The knee specialist who will perform the surgery also agreed Inzaghi could recover to play again.
“The recovery time is around five to six months, so we can safely say the season is over,” Dr Piero Volpi told MilanNews.it.
“With the right surgery and a good plan of recovery, Inzaghi will be available to start the next season.
“His age will have absolutely no bearing on the matter. I found the player to be perfectly healthy in every other respect so, save for complications, he should respect the recovery timetable.”
Milan are likely to consider moving in the January transfer window to find a replacement for Inzaghi. A candidate could be Parma ace Alberto Paloschi, who is co-owned by the two teams.

Milan 3 - 1 Palermo

2010-11-12T22:43:00.000-08:00

Scorers: 19' Pato, 63' Bacinovic, 76' Ibrahimovic, 82' Robinho.

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Yepes, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Flamini, Ambrosini, Boateng; Seedorf; Ibrahimovic (93' Jankulovski), Pato (65' Inzaghi) (80' Robinho).
Subs not used: Amelia, Nesta, Sokratis, Ronaldinho.
Coach: Allegri

PALERMO (4-3-2-1): Sirigu; Cassani, Munoz, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Bacinovic, Nocerino; Pastore (52' Miccoli), Ilicic; Pinilla (70' Maccarone).
Subs not used: Benussi, Goian, Darmian, Garcia, Rigoni.
Coach: Rossi

Yellow Cards: Ambrosini, Bovo, Sirigu.

Highlight Video:

Bari 2 - 3 Milan

2010-11-08T02:34:00.000-08:00

Scorers: 4' Ambrosini, 31' Flamini, 65' Kutuzov, 72' Pato, 89' Barretto.

BARI (4-4-2): Gillet; Belmonte, Masiello, Rossi, Parisi; Alvarez, Almiron (28' Gazzi), Donati, Pulzetti (61' Rivas) (72' D'Alessandro); Kutuzov, Barreto.
Subs not used: Padelli, Galasso, Rinaldi, Caputo.
Coach: Ventura

MILAN (4-3-1-2): AAbbiati; Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Flamini; Seedorf (78' Pirlo); Ibrahimovic, Robinho (63' Pato).
Subs not used: Amelia, Sokratis, Jankulovski, Ronaldinho, Inzaghi.
Coach: Allegri

Yellow Cards: Donati, Gattuso.

Highlight Video :

TRAINING BRAWL

2010-11-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Ibrahimovic made a dangerous sliding tackle on Onyewu, who reacted furiously. Ibrahimovic then tried to retaliate and the pair had to be separated by team-mates.
Onyewu has only just returned from a serious knee injury, which kept him out of action for the entirety of last season.
Coach Allegri then decided to suspended training. Around 30 fans witnessed the fight.
It remains to be seen whether the two players will be sanctioned for causing such a scene. After all, it's not the first time Ibrahimovic has rubbed his teammates up the wrong way since joining Milan. He was caught on camera directing a Taekwondo kick at Rodney Strasser for no apparent reason.
Adriano Galliani insists the training ground brawl between Ibrahimovic and Oguchi Onyewu was “a good sign.”
“It’s true that there was a vivacious clash between them and the training session was suspended for a little while,” confessed Galliani.
“It often happens on a football field and the news only made headlines because it was witnessed by a few fans in the stands, as we were on one of the outer training pitches.
“In any case, they cleared the air between them and I spoke to both of them for a long time. It’s all over.
“In fact, I consider it to be a good side. I like to see players with grit. I prefer that to training sessions with chamomile tea where people are falling asleep.”

VINTAGE INZAGHI

2010-11-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

The goals took his European tally to 70, but he celebrated with the number 69 jersey after the first.
“The number 69 shirt had been ready for a while. I am particularly proud to be here at my age, hearing certain things said about me and proving my quality on the pitch,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“Some commentators forget about me occasionally and I expect they’ll climb on the bandwagon now.
“It’s not easy, as I scored in my last game against Catania, then another nine passed in which I barely played.”
Mourinho saw the danger coming, as in his pre-match Press conference in Madrid he’d said the only worry he felt was when Inzaghi stepped on to the pitch.
“Last season Mourinho waited for my jersey after the derby, so he really does respect me.”
The reaction of San Siro was unmistakable, as the crowd cheered when he began to remove his training jacket.
“When I get up off the bench and am perhaps feeling a bit down, these people remind me everything I’ve done for this club and it really lifts me.”
The brace also allowed Inzaghi to overcome Marco Van Basten’s record, reaching 145 goals in a Milan jersey.
“Overtaking Van Basten’s record and we all know what he did for Milan, so it is an immense honour.
“I want to dedicate this wonderful night, probably the best of my career, to my family, friends and Stefano Borgonovo. I saw him a few days ago and promised I’d celebrate this record with him.
“We were a little disappointed in the locker room, as we thought the victory was under our belts and weren’t really under that much pressure at the end.”
However, SuperPippo wasn’t entirely happy at this brief moment of joy.
“I told the Coach that I feel good and it’s tough when I don’t get to play for nine games in a row. It’s not easy for me to lose my enthusiasm, but at the same time you do experience a real worry when you train hard and don’t ever get to let it out.”

Milan 2 - 2 Real Madrid

2010-11-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

Scorers: 45' Higuain, 68' & 78' Inzaghi, 93' Pedro Leon.

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Boateng, Pirlo, Gattuso (84' Seedorf); Ronaldinho, (59' Inzaghi); Pato (72' Ambrosini), Ibrahimovic.
Subs not used: Amelia, Antonini, Yepes, Robinho.
Coach: Allegri

REAL MADRID (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe (80' Pedro Leon), Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Ronaldo, Ozil (94' Raul Albiol), Di Maria; Higuain (73' Benzema).
Subs not used: Dudek, Arbeloa, M. Diarra, Granero.
Coach: Mourinho

Yellow Card: Boateng, Abate, Ibrahimovic, Gattuso, Pepe, Carvalho.

Highlight Videos :

GALLIANI OUTLINES TRANSFER STRATEGY

2010-04-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has outlined the club's transfer scenario for the summer following Friday's annunal general meeting with the shareholders.

The club announced a 38 per cent increase in profits for 2009 compared to 2008. Earnings for the year up to December 2009 were €327.6 million compared to 2008 results of €237.9m.

It seems Kaka's sale to Real Madrid last year has also curbed debts, down 85 per cent on 2008. Milan confirmed the current debt stands at €9.8m compared to the previous results of €66.8m.

With results in the briefcase, Galliani explained there would be no major sales from the club and, with that, no major arrivals as transfer allowances are docked.

"We will not be selling any stars. Certainly not Pato, certainly not Thiago Silva, Certainly not Ronaldinho, Huntelaar and Borriello," he told the press.

"Silvio Berlusconi loves Milan, but he will not spend €810m in five years like Inter did."

GALLI TO SUCCEED LEONARDO?

2010-04-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

It now seems increasingly likely that Leo will leave Milan at the end of this season and return to Brazil to be closer to his family.

He is also being linked with the Brazil job, which should become available after the World Cup when Dunga's contract expires.

Silvio Berlusconi apparently named Galli as his preferred candidate during a dinner with a number of Italian senators earlier this week.

When asked about the incident, Adriano Galliani said: “If the President said so… I see Filippo every day, but I see him in charge of our youth sector.”

Galli's stock has risen in recent weeks as Milan want to focus more and more on bringing young players through the ranks.

However, the question now is who would replace him in charge of the youth sector, as Paolo Maldini, one of the names put forward, is keen to stay out of football for a while longer.

MALDINI CALLS FOR INVESTMENT

2010-04-23T23:49:00.000-07:00

Milan have implemented a number of cost-cutting initiatives over the last year, attempting to slash the wage bill and sign players on free transfers.

Milan currently lie third in Serie A, but are all but mathematically out of the title race, as a seven-point gap separates Milan from leaders Roma with four games remaining this season.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Maldini said: “We need to invest. It's the only way Milan will stay at the top.”

The 41-year-old who retired last year also denied reports that he is about to return to the club as a director.

“I only just stopped playing. I am still too young as a director. Galliani and I have seen each other. No problem exists at the moment.

“I am taking a year out,” he concluded.

Sampdoria 2 - 1 Milan

2010-04-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

Scorers: 20' Borriello, 54' Cassano (penalty), 92' Pazzini.

SAMPDORIA (4-4-2): Storari; Zauri, Lucchini, Rossi, Ziegler; Semioli, Palombo, Poli (79' Tissone), Guberti (67' Mannini); Cassano, Pazzini.   Subs not used: Guardalben, Scepovic, Regini, Cacciatore, Testardi.
Coach: Del Neri

MILAN (4-2-1-3): Dida; Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Ambrosini (47' Zambrotta); Seedorf; Mancini (60' Oddo), Borriello, Ronaldinho.   Subs not used: Abbiati, Inzaghi, Huntelaar, Jankulovski, Albertazzi.
Coach: Leonardo

Yellow Cards: Abate, Ambrosini, Lucchini, Poli, Tissone, Borriello.   Red Cards: Bonera.

COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

2010-04-22T05:16:00.000-07:00

Milan 2- 2 Catania

Scorers: 12' Lopez, 43' Ricchiuti, 48' & 80' Borriello.

MILAN (4-2-1-3): Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli (63' Flamini), Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf (74' Mancini); Ronaldinho, Borriello, Huntelaar (74' Inzaghi). Subs not used: Roma, Oddo, Zambrotta, Gattuso.
Coach: Leonardo

CATANIA (4-3-3): Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Terlizzi, Capuano; Ricchiuti (72' Delvecchio), Carboni (61' Ledesma), Biagianti; Izco (83' Potenza), Lopez, Mascara. Subs not used: Campagnolo, Bellusci, Morimoto, Moretti.
Coach: Mihajlovic

Yellow Cards: Ambrosini, Mascara, Carboni, Pirlo, Alvarez, Borriello.

Milan 2- 2 Catania

2010-04-16T23:49:00.000-07:00

Scorers: 12' Lopez, 43' Ricchiuti, 48' & 80' Borriello.

MILAN (4-2-1-3): Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli (63' Flamini), Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf (74' Mancini); Ronaldinho, Borriello, Huntelaar (74' Inzaghi). Subs not used: Roma, Oddo, Zambrotta, Gattuso.
Coach: Leonardo

CATANIA (4-3-3): Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Terlizzi, Capuano; Ricchiuti (72' Delvecchio), Carboni (61' Ledesma), Biagianti; Izco (83' Potenza), Lopez, Mascara. Subs not used: Campagnolo, Bellusci, Morimoto, Moretti.
Coach: Mihajlovic

Yellow Cards: Ambrosini, Mascara, Carboni, Pirlo, Alvarez, Borriello.

LEONARDO PONDERS FUTURE

2010-04-16T23:45:00.000-07:00

Leonardo is thinking hard about his Milan future, and, if he doesn't get a substantial transfer allowance in the summer, he will walk out, according to reports.

The coach has already been linked with the Brazil national job after the World Cup, but his future doesn't hang on that one peg. He wants guarantees from the club that he will be granted more power and influence on the transfer market.

Leonardo wants to play an active role in who comes and goes from San Siro, rather than let the directors dicatate who he can and cannot sign.

Also, he is hoping for a bigger budget to spend on players, a rarity at Milan in recent times. Chief executive Adriano Galliani has made it clear that the days of grandiose spending are long gone.

In any case, Leonardo wants a power-sharing deal, or he will reconsider his days in Italy, aware of reported interest from Brazil.

MILAN CONSIDER CACAU

2010-04-16T23:40:00.000-07:00

According to reports, Milan are closely monitoring the progress of Stuttgart striker Cacau, wishing to acquire the 29-year-old during the upcoming summer transfer window.

But Milan will have a battle on its hands, as several teams from across Europe also wish to sign the player.

English sides Bolton and Blackburn and Spanish teams Valencia and Sevilla are also attempting to capture the signature of the Brazilian-born German international.

It is also alleged that Cacau has refused to put pen to paper in regards to a contract extension.

Cacau has scored 57 goals in 172 appearances in the Bundesliga.

MILAN TARGET NEW VIEIRA

2010-04-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

Milan are apparently keen to sign Le Mans midfielder Herold Goulon who has been compared with Patrick Vieira.

The talented 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and would provide Ambrosini and Gattuso with greater competition.

Il Corriere dello Sport understands that Goulon's agents are awaiting a reply from Milan before taking other offers from clubs in France.

Milan want to reinforce the midfield ahead of next season.

Milan have also been linked with Getafe's young winger Pedro Leon, although he would cost around €10m.

MILAN BAULK AT DZEKO COST

2010-04-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness has revealed that he told AC Milan officials that if they wanted to tempt star striker Edin Dzeko to Serie A then they would have to part with €40 million.

Rumours regarding the Bosnian international making a summer move to San Siro have plagued the German champions all season and Hoeness has confirmed he did speak to Milan but it seems the club’s valuation was too high.

"We talked with AC Milan who have shown an interest but they are not willing to pay the amount that we requested and want us to lower our asking price," Hoeness said.

“The amount to pay is clear though, it’s €40 million and will not change. Otherwise, Dzeko will remain with us. I always said that if we have to choose between money and the player, I'd still keep Edin here next year."

With news that clubs Manchester City and Chelsea are now considering a summer swoop for the 24-year-old, Milan look to have finally given up their chase.

Cagliari 2-3 Milan

2010-04-16T23:17:00.000-07:00

Scorers: 7' Borriello, 17' Ragatzu, 19' Huntelaar, 32' Matri, 38' Astori (autogoal).

CAGLIARI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Pisano, Canini, Astori, javascript:void(0)Agostini; Biondini (83' Larrivey), Conti, Lazzari (63' Dessena); Cossu; Matri, Ragatzu (73' Jeda). Subs not used: Lupatelli, Lopez, Marzoratti, Barone.
Coach: Allegri

MILAN (4-3-3): Dida; Abate (87' Oddo), Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Seedorf, Pirlo (73' Gattuso), Ambrosini; Huntelaar (60' Zambrotta), Borriello, Ronaldinho. Subs not used: Roma, Kaladze, Zigoni, Verdi.
Coach: Leonardo

Yellow Cards: Astori, Ambrosini, Pisano, Borriello.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)