World Football Chalanges in America

Milan will take part in the first edition of this new tournament, which is going to be spread out over six cities. The other side involved are Club America from Mexico and the games will be played from July 19 to 26.
The venues are Pasadena, Atlanta, Baltimore, Foxborough, Palo Alto and Arlington.
There will also be other friendlies with MLS sides during the summer tour of America, as Milan will face David Beckham’s other club LA Galaxy on July 19.

Sunday, July 19
Club America-Inter at Stanford Stadium (Palo Alto, Calif.)
Tuesday, July 21
Chelsea-Inter at the Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
Wednesday, July 22
Milan-Club America at the Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Ga.)
Friday, July 24
Milan-Chelsea at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, Md.)
Sunday, July 26
Milan-Inter at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Sunday, July 26
Chelsea-Club America at Dallas Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)

Unstable Conditions

Napoli 0-0 Milan


Goals: None

Napoli (3-5-2) :Navaro;Santacroce;Cannavaro;Contini;Grava;Pazienza;Blazi;Hamsik;
Mannini;Zalayeta;(92'Bogliacino);Lavezzi.
Subs Not Used :Bucci;Montervino;Datolo;Amodio;Russoto;Dennis
Coach :Donadoni


Milan(4-3-1-2):Dida;Zambrotta;Maldini;Favalli(72'Senderos);Jankulovski;Beckham;
Pirlo;Flamini;Seedorf(57'Kaka');Inzaghi(63'Ronaldinho);Pato.
Subs Not Used:Kalac;Antonini;Darmian;Shevchenko.
Coach:Ancelotti

Yellow Card:Blasi


Watch The Highlight:

Berlusconi's Anniversary

March 24 1986, Silvio Berlusconi became President of AC Milan. From then until now, Milan has won 7 Scudetti, 5 European Champions League Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 1 World Cup, 5 European Super Cups, 5 Italian Super Cups, and 1 Coppa Italia.

Gourcuff Said . . .

The 22-year-old fantasista is currently on loan at Bordeaux and has produced some truly world-class performances. French newspaper L'Equipe hailed him as the “New Zidane” after he scored a wonderful goal against Paris Saint Germain earlier this season.

Gourcuff joined Milan from Rennes in 2006 and made 47 appearances in two seasons with the club. He enjoyed a difficult relationship with Coach Carlo Ancelotti and grew bitter at the lack of first team football available.

“At Milan we didn't play the football that I was used to,” Gourcuff said in an interview with France Football.

“The play was more fluid, a little slower and more reflective. Everyone occupied a specific area on the pitch and the technical quality was a lot higher than that seen in the French League.”

Gourcuff, who has become the focal point of the France national team, then admitted that Milan and Andrea Pirlo schooled him well. “Pirlo is fantastic, I learned a lot from him, as I did from Clarence Seedorf and Kaka,” he enthused.

Bordeaux have a right to buy Gourcuff for €13m written into the loan deal they settled with Milan last summer. Bordeaux are struggling to raise the capital to buy Gourcuff outright, though, and he may well end up back at Milanello.

His feud with Ancelotti may prompt Milan to put him on the market again, however, as he is now believed to be worth at least €30m. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in his signature and Milan, who are in need of capital themselves, could well cash in.

Milan To Overhaul Defence

Milan's backline has often been criticised this season for being old and is in need of rejuvenation, especially in the light of Paolo Maldini's retirement.

Another defensive talisman, Alessandro Nesta, has a chronic back problem and could well be forced to retire sooner than expected. Kakha Kaladze is out until the middle of August and Milan do not plan to exercise their right to buy Philippe Senderos once his loan from Arsenal ends in the summer.

Milan, who have already brought in Thiago Silva and Felipe Mattioni to bolster the backline, have drawn up a shortlist of five names.

Milan are interested in Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy, Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger, Sao Paulo's Joao Miranda, Palermo's versatile Simon Kjaer and Porto's Bruno Alves.

Agger is the most likely to end up at Milan next season, as he is available for free in the summer. Any deal for the Denmark international would therefore fit nicely with Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani's budget cuts.

Transfers for the other four could be a lot trickier, though, as they are highly prized by their clubs.

Galliani : "No Big Transfer Spending"

Adriano Galliani has already spoken about how the current global financial crisis has not left football alone. Milan will look to remodel the squad at the end of the season and are expected to add some youth to an ageing squad.

But the current economic downturn has taken its toll on Italian football and Milan transfer guru Galliani is making no promises. “We should expect a cautious, bloodless summer market with part-exchange deals but very little money moving around,” he explained.

“Some clubs can still afford to put a lot of money down, but many can’t, I am sure of it.”

Galliani added, “We absolutely won't be signing a new goalkeeper for next year. Nelson Dida and Zeljko Kalac won us the Champions League and the World Club Cup so we will wait for Christian Abbiati to recover with those two between the posts.”

There have been rumours in the Italian Press that Galliani has been in talks with other leading clubs and UEFA President Michel Platini over a European Super League.

“That's not true,” Galliani said. “I have never spoken about it with Platini. It is just an early April Fools' Day joke. The rights for the Champions League have already been sold for the next three years in this format and so nothing can change for three years at least.”

Abbiati Gets a Big Injury

Christian Abbiati could be out for six months after sustaining a probably rupture of the ligaments in his right knee.

The Milan goalkeeper was stretchered off in visibly agony just 13 minutes into today's 5-1 win away to Siena.

Abbiati up the injury during an accidental collision with teammate Giuseppe Favalli and it was immediately obvious it was serious. More tests are needed to confirm the initial diagnosis, but Milan medical staff suspect Abbiati has ruptured the ligaments in his right knee.

This would result in surgery and a spell on the sidelines for around six months.

Abbiati has been the number one choice goalkeeper at Milan this season, so Dida's substitute's role was his first appearance of the Serie A season.

Super Pippo's 300 Goals

Inzaghi scored twice in the 5-1 win at Siena for his fifth goal in a week, taking him to the magic 300 goals.

“I feel as happy as a kid at Christmas, as I'm celebrating an achievement that fills me with pride,” commented Inzaghi.

“I thank all my teammates in every squad I've played for. Titles with your club are important, but these individual records also make you feel very special. Destiny is extraordinary, as I hadn't remembered until I read it in the papers this morning, but my first goal was also at Siena.”

Inzaghi has scored 300 goals in all competition during his long career, 110 of them in the Milan jersey.

“The most important goals were the ones in Athens for the Champions League Final against Liverpool. They are special along with the Club World Cup goals and the 2007 European Super Cup.”

Galliani praised Inzaghi on his achievement, stating, “The man is fantastic. Every spring he comes out of the slight hibernation he sometimes undergoes in winter and does superbly, proving he is a naturally gifted goal-poacher.”

Super Milan

Siena 1-5 Milan

Goals: 7' Pirlo (penalty), 45' & 71' Inzaghi, 55' & 77' Pato, 62' Maccarone.

SIENA (4-3-1-2): Curci; Zuniga, Portanova, Brandao (49' Ficagna), Del Grosso; Barusso (56' Ghezzal), Codrea, Vergassola; Kharja; Maccarone, Calaiò (70' Amoruso).
Subs not used: Eleftheropoulos, Rossi, Coppola, Frick.
Coach: Giampaolo

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati (12' Dida); Zambrotta, Maldini, Favalli, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini (46' Kakà, 72' Ronaldinho); Beckham; Pato, Inzaghi.
Subs not used: Senderos, Antonini, Emerson, Shevchenko.
Coach: Ancelotti

Yellow Cards: Ambrosini, Favalli.


Watch The Highlight :

Kaka Back "When Pain Stops"

One reason for Milan’s tough season and the ensuing pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti has been Kaka's injury-plagued campaign.

Kaka's latest blow came last month in Milan’s game against Reggina, and it is still unclear when he will return.

Kaka said, “I’ll be back as soon as the pain in my foot is under control. It’s unfortunate because the area I hurt comprises of several tendons that keep getting inflamed.

“I did play a year once with a bad knee but, until last week, this was unbearable and it still hurts.”

Milan’s vice-president, Adriano Galliani, has defended the 26-year-old. “Anyone who thinks Kaka does not want to come back as soon as he can needs their head examined,” he declared.

“His attachment to our colours is beyond question.”

Pippo is Amazing

Milan 3-0 Atalanta

Goals: 7', 71', 74' Inzaghi.

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Bonera (84’ Antonini), Senderos, Maldini, Zambrotta; Flamini, Pirlo, Jankulovski; Beckham (90’ Viudez); Pato, Inzaghi (80’ Shevchenko).
Subs not used: Dida, Darmian, Ambrosini, Cardacio.
Coach: Ancelotti

ATALANTA (4-4-1-1): Consigli; Garics, Talamonti, Bellini, Peluso; Ferreira Pinto (66’ Defendi), Guarente (60’ De Ascentis), Cigarini (76’ Parravicini), Valdes; Padoin; Plasmati.
Subs not used: Coppola, Pellegrino, Capelli, Cerci.
Coach: Del Neri

Yellow Cards: Peluso, Bonera, Bellini, Jankulovski


Watch The Highlight :

Beckham's Status in Milan

It is now official – David Beckham will stay at Milan until May 31. “I’m really grateful for making this dream happen.”

Milan had hinted over the last few days that a deal had been struck and it was confirmed when LA Galaxy released a statement. Beckham will remain at the San Siro on loan until May 31, then return to Galaxy on July 1 and stay until the end of the MLS season on November 22.

As Beckham cannot sign until the international transfer window opens on July 15, his first game back for Galaxy will be against the New York Red Bulls on July 16. A clause in his contract allows him to buy out the remaining two years on his five-year contract in November and join Milan as a free agent.

"I'm really grateful to the L.A. Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen," Beckham said in the statement.

"It allows me to play for AC Milan and the LA Galaxy in the same year, and also to continue my commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about."

Beckham's original loan was set to expire following this afternoon’s game against Atalanta, but the MLS was open to negotiations even after the deadline of February 13 passed without an agreement. Part of the deal has given Galaxy a friendly game against Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson on July 19 and the club’s ticket prices will be cut by an average of 10 per cent due to Beckham’s absence.

Berlusconi Orders -30% Wage Reduction

Italian Prime Minister and Milan Patron Silvio Berlusconi has already put in place the first measures to overhaul the club in light of the recent failures on the field of play.

It is suggested that vice president Adriano Galliani has been entrusted with the difficult task of considerably reducing the club’s wage expenditure to better cope with the current economic climate.

Milan currently top the ‘salary chart’ in Italian football. They pay a total of €120 million per season in wages - the same amount as Inter - while Juventus come in third with €115m. But Berlusconi thinks that this situation has now become unsustainable and has demanded a 30 per cent cut, which means that their wage budget will be slashed to around €90m per season.

Galliani will surely start with Dida and Emerson, who earn at least €4m for being non key players. Contract renewals for Ambrosini and Favalli will be among the first to be exposed to this budget cut.

Ancelotti's Interview

The superstars at San Siro haven't been doing the job and Ancelotti has criticised Ronaldinho.

“Players like him base everything on talent,” Ancelotti said on So Foot.

“I have worked with lots of great players and the majority think they can make the difference with talent alone. That is not true. In the modern game if you aren't in good physical shape and if you don't work hard in training then it is difficult to impress in games.”

“Paolo Maldini would be the example for players. He has been a professional for 20 years and has never moaned in training. Clarence Seedorf is also one of the most important players. He always gives his all without any controversy.”

Ancelotti had kind words for David Beckham, whose future is up in the air.

“At the start he had to just train for two months and he didn't expect to play,” Ancelotti explained.

“But after seeing the way that he trained, I chose him for the starting 11. We had been trying to sign him for around four years. I would say that he is a great player, but not a superstar, even if his performances and character have struck me.”

“On the pitch David sees everything first. His vision is better than it was when he played at Manchester United and he is equal to Kaka. He may be slower, but he is stronger tactically and technically. He's very intelligent and he works harder. Beckham's a real beast.”

Ancelotti also commented on the possibility of bringing Yoann Gourcuff back to base after his loan spell at Bordeaux.

“I don't know if he will return to Milan,” Ancelotti admitted. “It will be hard, but not impossible.”

“He needs to demonstrate his value quickly here because you can't keep giving youngsters chances in Italy - it's sad but true. I know that he was disappointed here but he tended to try and show his talents individually rather than for the team.”

“Without a doubt he is a great player, but the mental side is his weakness. I can only hope he does become like Zinedine Zidane.”

Pato Frustated : "My Goal is Useless"

One of the few positive things about Milan's season so far has been the form of young striker Alexandre Pato, who seems destined for great things if his recent displays are anything to go by. At just 19 years of age, he is scoring goals left and right in Serie A, one of the toughest leagues in the world.

Against Sampdoria, he scored his 15th goal in all competitions for AC Milan this season, but once again it wasn't enough to bring victory as the dire form continued.

"My goals aren't much use, we aren't winning, and this is what bothers me," he told the press today. "Too bad, I've already scored 15 goals this season, but many of them have been useless. To get out of this crisis we have to work hard. I am sure Milan will get out of this, and qualify for the next Champions League."

Kaladze Set For Surgery

According to reports, Milan have decided to resolve once and for all the long-standing left knee injury problem that has been tormenting Georgian central defender Kakhaber Kaladze in recent months.

The 31-year-old has traveled to Belgium where specialist Marc Martens will perform the surgery tomorrow. It is suggested that the procedure will keep Kaladze on the sidelines for several months and he will possibly return to action for the start of next season.

Kaladze had visited Professor Martens in January and insisted there was no need for surgery, but he suffered another relapse which forced him to pull out of the trip to Sampdoria after the UEFA Cup exit at the hands of Werder Bremen.

This setback will put further strain on Milan’s back-line, as Alessandro Nesta also underwent surgery to resolve his back problems last month.

Kaladze saw professor Marc Martens, the same surgeon who operated on Gattuso, in Antwerp and the surgery was successful.

A statement released by the Italian club's official website reads:

"AC Milan would like to communicate that Kakha Kaladze underwent surgery to his right knee this morning.

"The operation was perfect and the recovery time is an estimated five months."

Lose Again

Sampdoria 2-1 Milan


Goals: 33' Cassano, 51' Pazzini, 80' Pato.

SAMPDORIA (3-5-2): Castellazzi; Raggi (71' Gastaldello), Lucchini, Accardi; Stankevicius (84' Padalino), Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Pazzini, Cassano (87' Marilungo).
Subs not used: Mirante, Ziegler, Da Costa, Dessena.
Coach: Mazzarri

MILAN (4-4-1-1): Abbiati; Antonini (46' Inzaghi ), Bonera, Senderos, Zambrotta; Beckham (68' Emerson), Flamini, Pirlo, Jankulowski (55' Favalli); Seedorf; Pato.
Subs not used: Dida, Maldini, Cardacio, Shevchenko.
Coach: Ancelotti

Yellow Cards: Abbiati, Franceschini, Palombo, Pirlo, Senderos, Bonera, Raggi, Flamini, Padalino.

Watch The Highlight :

Galliani Holds a Meeting with Carletto

Galliani was furious after the match at the San Siro and he confronted the players inside the dressing room. According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the chief was at the club's training ground and he held a special meeting with Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of the squad behind closed doors.

Galliani demanded answers from everyone after the shock exit from Europe. Milan's only real hope of silverware went up in smoke on Thursday evening as it is unlikely that Milan will win the Scudetto this season.

Reports suggest Galliani demanded a top-four finish in Serie A this term, which will become the focal point of the season from now on.

The result has increased the pressure on Coach Carlo Ancelotti and many expect him to leave in the summer. Anything less than a Champions League place in May would be unacceptable.

UEFA Cup Runs Out

Milan 2-2 Bremen
Bremen progress on away goals rule


Goals: 26' Pirlo (penalty), 33'Pato, 68' & 79' Pizarro.

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, Senderos, Maldini, Favalli (76' Jankulovski); Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf (53' Flamini); Inzaghi (62' Shevchenko), Pato.
Subs not used: Abbiati, Kaladze, Bonera, Antonini.
Coach: Ancelotti

BREMEN (4-3-1-2): Vander; Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Pasanen (67' Boenisch); Tziolis, Frings, Ozil (91' Jensen); Diego; Pizarro, Almeida (62' Rosenberg).
Subs not used: Mielitz, Prodl, Baumann, Harnik.
Coach: Schaaf

Watch The Highlight :

Milan Deny Takeover Talk

Milan have made an official statement denying rumours that the Arab group that own Manchester City had started negotiations for a stake in the club.

It was reported that Sheikh Mansour wanted a 40% share of AC Milan, while a further 100 million euros would be immediately invested on the player transfer market!

The Ruling Family of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates already has a 5% stake of Berlusconi's media conglomerate, Mediaset.

However, Milan have categorically denied that any such talks are taking place.

“Regarding the reports printed in the Corriere della Sera about potentially selling stakes in the club, Finivest and Milan want to communicate that there is no truth in the stories,” a statement reads.