Il Diavolo Rosso

Milan beat Palermo to take Serie A lead

2010-11-12T03:56:00.001-08:00

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ROME -- AC Milan overtook Lazio for the Serie A lead with a 3-1 win over Palermo on Wednesday, but lost Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi to injury with the derby against Inter Milan coming up next.

It's the first time Milan has had the sole lead since November 2008.

"We're going into the derby with a healthy dose of self-esteem," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said, looking ahead to Sunday's match.

Pato put Milan ahead in the 19th minute at the San Siro, Zlatan Ibrahimovic restored the lead with a penalty in the 77th and Robinho came off the bench to add the third goal in the 83rd.

Pato exited grasping his right thigh in the 65th and was replaced by Inzaghi, who appeared to twist his left knee in the 80th.

Lazio allowed a score from Marco Parolo in the 85th minute and lost 1-0 at Cesena, its second consecutive defeat after losing to AS Roma in Sunday's derby.

Milan has 23 points, Lazio is next with 22, Napoli has 21, while five-time defending champion Inter dropped to fourth with 20 after a 1-1 draw at Lecce, which equalized through Ruben Olivera in the 79th after Diego Milito had put the injury-plagued European champion in front eight minutes earlier.

After Milito scored, he had the bench toss him one of Walter Samuel's jerseys, dedicating the goal to his fellow Argentine, who will likely miss the rest of the season after damaging ligaments in his knee during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brescia.

Inter was also without playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who was diagnosed with anemia after fainting at halftime of the Brescia match, which also included an injury to right back Maicon.

Milito started on the bench but replaced Goran Pandev to start the second half. He hit the post three minutes before his goal.

Olivera headed in the equalizer following a corner, with Inter's reserve goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi immobile.

"We lacked some luck," said Inter manager Rafa Benitez. "Now we've got to do well in the derby and turn things around."

Napoli won 1-0 at Cagliari with a last-second goal from Ezequiel Lavezzi, while Juventus drew 1-1 at Brescia, with Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Diamanti trading goals over a span of two minutes midway through the second half.

Juventus is fifth with 19 points and resurgent Roma moved into sixth a point back following a 3-2 win over Fiorentina. Fabio Simplicio, Marco Borriello and Simone Perrotta scored for Roma, while Alberto Gilardino and Gaetano D'Agostino found the net for Fiorentina.

Two days after hiring Davide Ballardini as its new coach, Genoa beat Bologna 1-0 with an 81st-minute goal from Omar Milanetto, and Maxi Lopez scored as Catania defeated Udinese 1-0. Also, Chievo Verona and Bari played a 0-0 draw.

In Milan, Pato scored with a well executed header following a corner kick from Clarence Seedorf and Palermo argued for a penalty when Kevin-Prince Boateng appeared to block a free kick from Fabrizio Miccoli with his arm in the 56th.

The Sicilian club then equalized in the 63rd with a long, bouncing shot from Armin Bacinovic, with Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati's vision blocked by his defenders. But Milan was awarded a controversial penalty kick in the 76th, apparently for a foul on Massimo Ambrosini, and Ibrahimovic converted the spot kick.

Robinho scored from Ibrahimovic's cross after coming on for Inzaghi.

Inzaghi to Have Knee Injury

2010-11-12T03:43:00.000-08:00

Veteran AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi insists that he will do everything he can to recover from the serious knee injury which threatens to end his career.

Inzaghi, 37, was injured during AC Milan's 3-1 midweek win over Palermo and seems unlikely to feature again this season due to ligament damage.

However, a positive Inzaghi told his club's official website: "Life and football are like this. One minute you're playing and fighting, the next you're clutching your knee in your hands. 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 team-mates and the 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." (Soccernet)

Finally..

2009-01-19T23:35:00.000-08:00

Momen yang ditunggu2 Milanisti seantero dunia akhirnya datang juga. Polemik tawaran megatrasfer 1,7T dari Mach City berakhir dengan keputusan..KAKA TETAP DI MILAN..nilai transfer yang wah dari juragan minyak dari Arab tak membuat Kaka yang terkenal sangat religius ini tergoda. Tampaknya Kaka lebih mengedepankan hati nurani daripada segebok materi,meski selama ini Kaka sudah menjadi pemain dengan bayaran tertinggi di Serie A. Impiannya menghabiskan karir di Milan dan menjadi kapten tim tampaknya menjadi alasan tersendiri bagi Kaka untuk tetap tinggal di Milan.

FORZA MILAN!!

Kaka oh Kaka..

2009-01-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

Berlusconi confirms: it will be hard to keep Kakà

It seems that the transfer of Kakà to Manhester City is now highly likely to take place after Milan President Silvio Berlusconi confirmed that he will probably sell the Brazilian.

"I will have to probably sell him," the Italian Prime Minister told La Stampa. "City have made a really big offer to him, more than €15m after tax per year in wages. If i don't sell him then the balance of the team will go up in smoke".

Ancelotti: Not my choice

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admits he will have no say over whether Kaka leaves for Manchester City.

After previously refusing Chelsea and Real Madrid permission to speak with the Brazilian, Milan have finally buckled after being presented with a staggering £108m offer from City.

Ancelotti said: "I have said Kaka should not leave. But I am just the trainer. I train the team."

Kaka Absolutely Not For Sale

2008-07-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Milan direct of communications, Vittoria Mentana, has insisted that Kaka is not for sale, despite rumours he is close to making a move to Chelsea...

The Blues have been linked somewhat tentatively with the World Player of the Year over the past couple of months, but only in the last 24 hours has speculation heightened, with rumours rife the Rossoneri are ready to cash in on their star man, with Ronaldinho signed and capable of acting as his replacement. The club remain in some financial difficulty after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, and vice president Adriano Galliani even alluded to the possibility of selling Kaka or Andrea Pirlo to alleviate the financial stress they are currently under, but insisted the club would not be forced into such a position. Yet the rumours have persisted and quotes this morning emerged from Kaka himself, who said he was unsure on what will happen in the near future, revealing that two teams are in pursuit of his services, the other thought to be long-term admirers Real Madrid, who were rebuffed in an approach for him last summer. The conventional wisdom remains that the Brazilian will remain at San Siro, where he was on numerous occasions expressed the desire to go down in history as a club legend along with the likes of Paolo Maldini. Now, communications director Mentana has told the club's official website the 26-year-old's situation remains as it always has been: he is not for sale, and contracted until 2013. "Kaka is absolutely not for sale," read the brief but telling statement.

Ronaldinho to sign for AC Milan

2008-07-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

Manchester City have lost out to Italian side AC Milan in the race to sign Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho. "AC Milan and Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle over the transfer of Ronaldinho," the Serie A club said on their website. "The player will be in Milan on Wednesday to undergo a medical and sign a contract that will keep him at Milan until 30 June 2011."

City had reportedly bid £25.5m for the 28-year-old Brazilian. But Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported on its website that Milan will pay Spanish side Barcelona just £14.6m for his services, with the figure likely to be increased by performance-related bonuses.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has been in Barcelona for talks with the club and the player for two days. The two-time Fifa World Player of the Year's time at Barcelona effectively came to an end in June when new manager Pep Guardiola announced the playmaker was surplus to requirements.

Nevertheless, the Catalans were not prepared to release Ronaldinho to join Dunga's Brazil squad for next month's Beijing Olympics. Ronaldinho helped Barcelona win back-to-back Spanish league titles (2004-05, 2005-06) and the Champions League in 2006, but failed to cement a regular place in the starting XI last season because of injury and fitness issues.

Rossoneri reign supreme

2008-07-04T04:34:00.001-07:00

A brief history...
On 16 December 1899, Erbert Kilpin founded Milan Football and Cricket Club in the Lombardi capital. Within a few short decades, it would become one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.

As early as 1901, the fledgling outfit lifted its first Italian league title with the historic starting eleven of Hoode, Cignaghi, Torretta, Lees, Kilpin, Valerio, Dubini, Davies, Neville, Allison and Formenti.

In 1919, the club's name was shortened to 'Milan Football Club', before becoming 'Associazione Calcio Milan' (AC Milan) in 1938. Throughout these frequent reincarnations, the club's red-and-black strip remained unchanged. The choice of colours was also down to Erbert Kilpin, who explained at the time: "Let us be like the devil and instil fear in everyone."

But after a remarkable early flurry of success (three titles in seven years), the club had to endure an agonising barren spell lasting 44 years. In 1926, Milan acquired a stunning new home courtesy of the chairman at the time, Pierro Pirelli, who financed the construction of a new stadium, the San Siro, which took thirteen months to build. During the 1960s, the stadium was sold to the local council by AC Milan and renamed the Giuseppe Meazza stadium upon the death of the legendary player for their great rivals and ground-sharers Internazionale. From then on, it was referred to as the San Siro when AC Milan played there and the Giuseppe Meazza when Inter were at home.

In the 1950s, AC Milan started to make an impact on the European scene courtesy of the contributions of some exceptional foreign players. Most notable among these were the Swedish Gren-Nordahl-Liedholm trio, dubbed GRE-NO-LI by the Italian media, the Brazilian José Altafini and the Uruguayan Juan Schiaffino, tormentor of the Brazilians in the 1950 FIFA World Cup Final.

The 1960s was marked by the reign of the legendary Nereo Rocco in the dugout, and Cesare Maldini (father of Paolo), Giovanni Trapattoni, and the elegant Gianni Rivera on the field. This golden era was followed by a lengthy spell in the doldrums due to a serious betting scandal, or 'totonero'.

But since 10 February 1986, the date businessman, television magnate and future Italian president Silvio Berlusconi purchased 90% of the club's shares, AC Milan have risen from the ashes. Long before Chelsea did the same thing in England, Milan turned standard transfer market practice upside down in Italy. "I don't sell, I only buy," declared the new chairman on taking over, and within 10 years, AC Milan had won every major honour in the game. Between 1969 and 2003, the Rossoneri qualified for the Toyota Cup no less than seven times.

A seventh European Cup arrived in the summer of 2007 and it was followed in December of the same year by the club's crowning moment, when the Rossoneri became the first European side to win the FIFA Club World Cup. Their victory in the final of Boca Juniors, revenge for a defeat in TOYOTA Cup in 2003, came after the Italians had eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final. Kaka was the team's undoubted star, yet many saw the title as the product of Carlo Ancelotti's side's remarkable experience, with captain Paolo Maldini symbolising a team whose average age was 30.7 years old.

AC Milan Profile

2008-07-04T04:32:00.001-07:00

Associazione Calcio Milan
City: Milan
Founded: 16 December 1899
Official website:www.acmilan.com

Honours:
* 1 FIFA Club World Cup
* 3 Intercontinental Cups: 1969, 1989, 1990
* 6 European Cups/UEFA Champions Leagues: 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003
* 2 European Cup Winners' Cups: 1968, 1973
* 4 European Super Cups: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003
* 17 Italian Championships: 1901, 1906, 1907, 1951, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1968, 1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
* 5 Italian Cups: 1967, 1972, 1973, 1977, 2003

Legendary players:
Gunnar Nordahl (1949-56), Nils Liedholm (1949-61), Juan Schiaffino (1954-60), Jose Altafini (1959-66), Giovanni Trapattoni (1960-71), Gianni Rivera (1960-79), Franco Baresi (1977-97), Paolo Maldini (since 1985), Roberto Donadoni (1986-96), Ruud Gullit (1987-93, 1994), Marco van Basten (1987-95), Frank Rijkaard (1988-93), Demetrio Albertini (1988-2002), Dejan Savicevic (1992-98), Marcel Desailly (1993-98), George Weah (1995-2000), Andriy Shevchenko (1999-2006)

Records:
Paolo Maldini - appearances (ongoing)
Gunnar Nordahl - 221 goals

Ronaldinho 80-90% likely to join Milan

2008-07-04T03:54:00.000-07:00

Ronaldinho is '80-90%' likely to secure a move to AC Milan, according to the Barcelona playmaker's agent Roberto De Assis. Milan have long been linked with a move for Ronaldinho after the Brazilian was told he was not part of Barca's plans for the future. Vice-president Adriano Galliani insisted on Thursday that a deal would only be completed if the price is right, but De Assis is confident his client will make the switch to the San Siro. 'Yes, it's true, it's true that he'll probably go to Milan,' De Assis - who is also Ronaldinho's brother - told Lombardy television stations. 'Everything's ready for the transfer. He is there 80-90% and we are working towards that. 'He is working hard to get back to his best and the important thing is that now he is fine and that he is working for his future.' Milan might be leading the pack but there is no shortage of other possible destinations for Ronaldinho, with Chelsea and Manchester City just two of the clubs reportedly in the hunt.

However, De Assis rubbished suggestions that the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year could join David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy. 'There's a contract with Barca, there's other possibilities,' he added. 'We'll see in the next fortnight. 'LA Galaxy? No, no, absolutely not. Why Galaxy? 'I absolutely rule out Galaxy. It's not possible because he is only 28 and he wants to play at least five or six years more at the top level in world football.'

Adebayor close to Milan deal

2008-06-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel Adebayor's agent claims AC Milan have a "70 to 80% chance" of signing the Arsenal striker. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed last week that Adebayor was his club's sole transfer target this summer. It now appears that the Rossoneri are close to securing their man, with the Togo international's agent Vincenzo Morabito claiming that the Gunners already searching for his replacement.

"Milan have already stated their position, while Arsenal have started moving in the market in the hunt for an attacker to replace Adebayor," Morabito told Italian television channel Mediaset. "Until that search ends the deal won't move forward but I am quite optimistic because Arsenal are looking for a player. They're talking about (Mario) Gomez, (Roque) Santa Cruz, and (Peter) Crouch. "I'd say there's a 70 to 80% chance Adebayor will go to Milan."

Reports in Spain suggested that Barcelona had reached a deal to sign Adebayor for 27 million euros, but Morabito confirmed the 24-year-old favours a move to the San Siro. "With all respect to Arsenal, [Adebayor] would be very happy to play for the Rossoneri," he added. "Therefore, if the two clubs reach an agreement, the deal will be finalised."

Ronaldinho wants Milan move: Agent

2008-06-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

AC Milan are a step closer to signing Ronaldinho after the Barcelona forward's agent admitted there was only one club for him. After a disappointing and injury-hit season, the Brazilian international has been told by Barca that he is not part of their plans as they make wholesale changes after two trophyless campaigns.

Milan were one of the first clubs to publicly declare their interest in the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and, while others have joined the fray, the Italian giants remain in pole position. "We have always had a good relationship with Milan and always been in contact," Roberto De Assis, Ronaldinho's brother and agent, told the Sportal website. "The possibility that Ronaldinho will play in the red and black shirt next year is still there and is the same as a few months ago.

"Nothing has changed. We know that Milan like Ronaldinho and that Ronaldinho likes Milan and we will continue to work to bring the best player in the world to the best club in the world." Milan's bitter rivals Internazionale are also in the hunt for the Samba star, who hinted on Sunday that he was close to a move to Chelsea where he would be reunited with new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, under whom he won the 2002 World Cup.

But De Assis insists it is a one-horse race: "We're only talking to Milan. We've never heard from Inter or Juventus out of respect for the Rossoneri. "England? We're looking around, but it's still too soon to decide and anyway there's time until August 31 to find the right solution. "I can confirm that Ronaldinho would go very willingly to Milan and if it hasn't already happened it's because there have been problems between the two clubs, probably at an economic level. "But there's still time to come to an agreement - at least until August 31."

Paolo Maldini, Life Begin at Forty

2008-06-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

Although Milan Captain Paolo Maldini is turning 40 years old, he is far from retiring! A great news for Milan fans today was that beloved living legend MALDINI renewed his contract today without a problem until May 30, 2009 and he will be 41 years old!Maldini has played only for AC MILAN since his debut on January 20, 20, 1985 in the match Udinese 1 - 1 AC Milan. What has Maldini accomplished and done for AC MILAN in those 20 years? Just take a look....

- 7 League Titles
- 5 UEFA Champions League
- 2 European/South American Cups
- 5 UEFA Supercups
- 1 Italian Cup
- 5 League Supercups
- 1 FIFA Cup World Club

How could you deny Maldini to renew his contract if he is physically fit and willing to continue playing?

How could you say no to MILAN's symbol?

It would have been liking killing the spirit of Milan when Milan needed his Captain more than ever to pick up the pieces after losing the chance to be in the Champions League as the 2006-2007 Defending Champions. "Paolo Maldini, a smile, a joke, a handshake and then off, to the other side of the world with the certainty that in a few days, when he will turn 40, everything will still be there, in the same place as always. It was enough to look each other in the eye for a few minutes to understand that everything is still as it always was. Paolo Maldini has won a lot and he still wants to win, he's run a lot and still wants to keep running. On their part Milan never even thought for a second they would have to do without a man whose attitude, class, and respect were the image of a winning idea of football like no other."

Milan being at their worst moment with their unexpected elimination from the Champions League this year by Arsenal, plus eliminated from the Champions League for next season for not reaching the 4th position in the Serie A. This situation must really hurt Captain Paolo Maldini who has been a symbol for Milan during his 20 years with the team. Maldini is the spirit of Milan, Maldini is just MILAN, period.

Yet, here I come to defend former Milan President Silvio Berlusconi and Delegate Adriano Galliani. They encouraged Maldini to continue for one more year because they see his physical fitness in great level. Sure, it might have been wise for Maldini to retire now in glory after conquering the UEFA Super Cup, Champions League, and the 2007 FIFA World Club. However, if Maldini who seems to breathe "AC MILAN," sees that Milan is in need of leadership and motivation and him being in great shape, why not staying? Milan needs experience and young players. It will be up to President Berlusconi must sign fit younger players for the next season to give Milan vitality.

After all, is not that there is a single canditate right now to take the helm as Milan's captain right now. It takes guts, heart, courage, motivation, and loyalty to be Milan's captain. Maldini, so far, has no match.

1986-2007 (Berlusconi Era)

2008-06-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

Niels Liedholm came back on the bench, but this change didn't improve Milan's results and a top management turning point was clearly necessary. Finally, on March 24th, 1986 Silvio Berlusconi was nominated the 21st President of AC Milan. He brought a great enthusiasm with an innovative marked-oriented management and recently celebrated his 20th Anniversary as AC Milan President (March 1986-March 2006) when a great party was given in his honor.

In the 1986/87 season he signed important contracts, including those with Donadoni, Bonetti, Galderisi, Massaro and Giovani Galli

European success

Maldini and his Milan colleagues form one of the best club sides in history and dominate at home and abroad in the late-eighties and early-nineties. Victories over Steaua Bucharest in 1989, Benfica in 1990, Barcelona in 1994 and then as captain over Juventus in 2003 bring Maldini four European Cup winners medals.

1971-1985

2008-06-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

Although in the ‘70s the Club’s performances were not as brilliant as before, some important achievements were attained: on the top off all the winning of the “Star” (given for 10 league titles) in 1979. During those years Milan also won three Italian Cups and their second European Cup Winners’ Cup. In the line up lead by Liedholm there was a young football player who would later become one of the undisputed protagonists in Milan’s history and one of the strongest defenders in Italian Football, Franco Baresi.

A star is born

Paolo Maldini makes his first appearance in the famous red and black stripes of AC Milan on January 20, 1985 in a 1-1 draw against Udinese at the age of just 16.The son of Milan legend Cesare, in charge of the club’s youth set-up at the time, would go on to play more than 700 times for the Rossoneri in 20 trophy-filled years at the San Siro.

1961-1970

2008-06-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

While the previous years had been marked by the supremacy of foreign players (Gre-No-Li, Schiaffino-Altafini), In the 60’s/70’s decade Italian players, who would later reach international fame, were the main characters of the Rossoneri history. Some Olympic players, such as Trappatoni, Trebbi, Alfieri, ferrario and Noletti joined the team, together with a young boy naaed Giani Rivera who played his first game when he was only 17 against Alessandria, his previous team (Milan won 5-3).

1955-1960

2008-06-24T21:00:00.001-07:00

In the 1955/56 season Milan plated the very first match of the edition of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, they were defeated in the semi-final by Real Madrid, who finally conquered the trophy. However, in the same season Milan won the Latin Cup for the second time, defeating Athletic Bilbao (3-1) in the final tie. In 1956/57 the new coach Gipo Viai led the team to win the sixth league title, with the extraordinary contribution of GAstone Bean, who scored 17 goals. A year later Jose Altafini joined the team and together with captain Liedholm, Cesare MAldini and “Pepe” Schiaffino, won the league tittle at the end of exciting head to head with Fiorentina.

1949-1954

2008-06-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

The arrival of Gunnar Nordahl marked the beginning of a new era for the Rossoneri who had been deemed for too many years as incapable of winning a Championship. Together with Nordahl, top goal scorer of the 1949/1950 season with 35 goals, two other Swedish players joined the club; Niels Liedholm and Gunnar Gren who with the top goal keeper Buffon strongly reinforced the squad.

1930-1949

2008-06-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

This time was not very positive for the Rossoneri who went through a long period of adjustment. In 1936 the name of the club was changed to Milan Associazione Sportiva and in 1940, after several changes in the top management, Umberto Trabbatoni was appointed President and the held office until 1954. The team experienced highs and lows and rarely reached the first four place of the league.

1899-1929

2008-06-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Milan Foot ball and cricket club was officially founded on 16th December 1899, but the public announcement of its foundation was made on Monday 18th in an article by the Gazetta dello Sport newspaper. The club established its first headquarters in the Fiaschetteria Toscana, Via Berchet