Friday, May 22, 2009

Milan Heading Towards An Internal Triad Solution To Replace Ancelotti

It seems that the Rossoneri will pluck a trio from their own ranks should 'Carletto' depart this summer...

With Carlo Ancelotti edging towards Chelsea, many names are being drawn out of the hat for the coveted Milan bench.

However, the latest indications coming from Italy are that there will be more than one name succeeding Ancelotti.

According to Sportmediaset.it, vice-president Adriano Galliani seems to favour a triad solution to lead the Rossoneri from next season, even though he is keeping his lips sealed until Monday, by which point he expects the team to have secured direct qualification to the Champions League.

Galliani's preferred solution is an internal one, with Leonardo, Mauro Tassotti and Filippo Galli heading the team next season.

This choice would be taken because Leonardo does not have the license to coach in Serie A as of yet. Thus, although the Brazilian would be the main tactician, Tassotti and Galli would share the title of head coach as they possess the necessary badges.

This would prove that Galliani stated the truth when he declared that he had not contacted any possible new coach, as the solution he has opted for is an internal one which would reflect the wishes of president Silvio Berlusconi.

Glenn Debattista

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Benitez: We Lost To A Good Team


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praised Milan after two goals from Pippo Inzaghi saw them win the Champions League with a 2-1 win over the Reds.


Benitez was angry that the entire three minutes stoppage time at the end of the game were not played, but said: "It's not a reason, we lost against a good team with top-class players.

"The first half we played really well but conceded a goal, a deflection, through bad luck.

"Then we were pushing and pushing and you leave a space and they have quality and it was the difference.

"We were trying to keep the ball and press high but you need to take your chances."

Gerrard admits: Difficult To Take


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted he was finding defeat to Milan hard to take after his side were beaten 2-1 in Athens.

Gerrard was celebrating two years ago when Liverpool won the final, and told Sky Sports: "It's the complete opposite. It's difficult to take but that's football.

"You've got to take it on the chin, move on and try to pick yourself up but at the moment it's heartbreaking.

"I thought we started well, we were in control just how we like to be but when you do that you've got to score. They got the first goal, with a bit of luck, but it was a big lift for them.

"We gave everything but it wasn't to be tonight."

Milan Get Their Revenge


AC Milan have avenged their defeat in the Champions League final two years ago by defeating their victors that night Liverpool 2-1 in Athens thanks to a brace from Filippo Inzaghi.

Two years ago Milan outclassed their opponents to an embarrassing extent in a one-sided first half, but in contrast Liverpool were the better team in the opening 45 minutes evening although trailed at the break.

The goal came in the final minute of the first half in fortunate circumstances as Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflected off the shoulder of Inzaghi and past the wrong-footed Jose Reina.

In the second half Liverpool hoped for a repeat of the 2005 heroics that saw them comeback from the death, but despite plenty of possession they could not find the killer ball and as they got desperate Inzaghi struck again by rounding Reina after a clever through ball from Kaka.

Liverpool responded well as they attempted mission impossible for a second time, but they did nonetheless have time to pull a goal back through Dirk Kuyt. The three minutes of stoppage time passed by without a scare for Milan, who are crowned champions of Europe for an amazing seventh time.

Rafael Benitez's side will look back on the first half when they failed to capitalise on their dominance before the break, even though they failed to muster many clear cut chances. However, they did offer plenty of attacking threat as Jermaine Pennant caused Milan's left-back Marek Jankulovski all sorts of problems, while Steven Gerrard looked capable of producing a moment of magic that has become his trademark.

Gerrard was playing in a free-role behind Kuyt as a lone striker and it was telling that at times Liverpool didn't have enough bodies in Milan's box.

It proved costly as Milan struck just before the break with what was the first time they threatened Reina's goal in the first half. Pirlo's 45th minute free-kick was not going to threaten the Spanish goalkeeper, but it struck the side of Inzaghi's body and the striker, who had not previously had a look all match, got his name on the scoresheet.

Benitez elected not to make any changes at the break as he probably felt the chance would come and it arguably did when Gerrard forced his way through, but his sidefooted shot was predictable and gathered by Dida with Kuyt lurking.

Liverpool then survived a spell when their defence fell apart as confusion from Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher threatened to gift Milan a second goal, but the Premiership outfit were lucky that the linesman flagged for offside for Inzaghi even though it was Kaka that race on to the ball and the Brazilian was definately onside.

Liverpool introduced Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch, but Milan's ageing defence stood firm despite injuries to Nesta and nervous moments from legendary Paulo Maldini.

With ten minutes left on the clock Kaka slotted the ball through the defence when many felt he was about to shoot and Inzaghi calmly rounded Reina before slotting the ball into the net and sparked celebrations that suggested Milan felt they had won the trophy.

There was still time for drama as Liverpool won a number of corners and in the 89th minute Kuyt headed into the net, although the Dutchman appeared to be offside as he did so. However, it did not matter as the final seconds ticked away before the German official blew time on the 2007 Champions League final.

While many feel AC Milan should not be in the Champions League this season, and for a time they were not, but their cast of veteran superstars have another medal to hang around their decorated necks.

Tavano Will Return To Valencia


Italian striker Francesco Tavano will return to Valencia after a 6-month stint at AS Roma.

Former Empoli forward Francesco Tavano moved to AS Roma on a loan-deal from Valencia and, despite the positive expectations, has failed to shine, hindered once again, by lack of opportunities.

AS Roma will not spend 10 million euros and take over the ownership of the player, who is now packing his bags and preparing to return to Spain.

However, Tavano seems unlikely to continue serving Valencia, and several Italian clubs such as Palermo, Udinese and Livorno, have shown interest in signing Tavano.

They have already contacted the player’s agent with a view towards beginning transfer negotiations with Valencia.

There is a particularly strong demand from Palermo for netting a new forward, as Di Michele is about to receive a harsh ban for his involvement in football betting. The Rosaneri consider Tavano as a perfect replacement.

Of course, the struggle for power at the Mestalla will play a part, with Carboni keen to keep him; Flores not so much!

Juve Agree Iaquinta Deal


Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Vincenzo Iaquinta from Udinese, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The paper claims that the player will sign a five-year contract and that the deal will cost Juve £5.7 million, plus the co-ownership of Michele Paolucci, currently on loan at Ascoli.

Iaquinta’s contract at Udinese expires in 2010, but he nonetheless looks to be leaving The Friuli.


Juve boss Didier Deschamps has apparently accepted the transfer of the player who has scored 14 Serie A goals this season.

The Bianconeri have already sealed the transfers of Zdenek Grygera (Ajax), Hasan Salihamidzic (Bayern Munich) and Domenico Criscito (Genoa).

The club has also been linked with Mohamed Sissoko of Liverpool and AS Roma’s Philippe Mexes.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Ronaldo On Hair Style, Diet And Inter


On Inter president Morratti’s dismay regarding his transfer to AC Milan, Ronaldo said: "Life is made up of choices. Inter chose to sell me and they can’t complain about me having joined AC Milan."

Ronaldo then carried on discussing his favourite club, his looks, diet and also released a comment on the calciopoli scandal from last year.

"Flamengo are my favourite team because they wear black and red striped jerseys," he said.

"Milan president Berlusconi advised me to grow my hair. He’s a TV magnate and he knows a lot about aesthetics. Maybe in the future I’d change my haircut."

On his diet, he said: "When I came here I promised to reduce my daily pasta consumption.

"Once when I was having dinner at Berlusconi’s house, Galliani persuaded me to say no to a third pasta dish."

Finally, on the Calciopoli, he believes that Inter have been hard done by in the past: "I think Calciopoli was useful to rub the dirt from football.

"The absence of Juventus this year has been felt, however it was pretty obvious that years ago Inter were mistreated."