View Full Version : Milan Column
Hi all,
The purpose of this thread is to gather articles written by columnists and exclusive interviews with players (or anyone that has an opinion on Milan) in the globe about Milan. Although we hear Milan news in outlets such as goal.com, acmilan.com, or soccernet.com from time to time, we do not have an existing thread regarding what people around the world thinks of the Milan team.
Much credit needs to go to Tony29, who brings up the 'night show' that invites famous coaches, refs etc. to talk about serie A each week (see Milan vs. Parma thread). I think it will be a great idea to talk and discuss what others think about Milan, and to what extent their opinions are justified.
This is not a place for general news (we can save it for individual threads), but for the more analytical. I'll kick off with Rae's (a columnist at soccernet.com) comments on Milan's victory in Champion League:
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Rae's Say: Ordinary Milan still worthy winners
Having spent the last week or so in Athens presenting many of ESPN's pre-match programmes and then commentating on the Champions League final itself, chances to put thoughts down on paper have been extremely limited.
Empics
The Milan side celebrate their success in Athens.
As for the Greek experience as a whole, I'll confess to missing the souvlaki and gyros, but not the omnipresent cigarette smoke. It's just not conducive to a commentator's obligation to occasionally hit the high notes!
Let's move on to the match itself, shall we?
Firstly I see no contradiction in proclaiming AC Milan worthy European club champions, while simultaneously acknowledging that they were downright ordinary in the Athens final.
Milan played the most eye-catching football of any side in the knockout stages. While it's disappointing that they reverted to a more defensive style on Wednesday night, that is not in itself, a reason to dismiss the rossoneri as fortunate Champions League winners.
What was fortuitous of course, was Pippo Inzaghi's opening goal, a crushing blow from the Liverpool point of view, coming so close to half-time. I find it hard to believe there was anything intentional or rehearsed about Inzaghi's actions. Logically then, if we take the view that the 33-year-old predator knew nothing about the deflection, then we're hardly in a position to call it deliberate handball. Besides, can we even say beyond a shadow of doubt that the ball even struck Inzaghi on the arm?
Had referee German Herbert Fandel chalked it off, we would now be discussing the most controversial disallowed goal in recent Champions League final memory.
Liverpool will rightly view their Greek odyssey as an opportunity lost. The Premiership side didn't wipe the floor with Milan in the first half, but they were in discernible control.
Rafa Benitez, normally a manager this commentator is reluctant to criticise, was too slow in reacting to the changes in circumstances as displayed by the massive electronic scoreboard at the Spiros Louis Olympic Stadium.
I expected to see Harry Kewell at the very start of the second half in place of a tentative Bolo Zenden who never looked likely to skin Massimo Oddo. The switch came a few minutes too late.
Similarly, Peter Crouch ought to have been brought on with at least 30 minutes to go.
The general feeling is that Benitez got his starting line-up spot on. I'm not totally convinced. While I liked his commitment to attacking width - Jermaine Pennant excelled in the first forty five minutes - I would rather have seen a more potent, pacy threat on the left. That would have meant Kewell from the beginning.
Benitez is naturally cautious and wanted to avoid getting steamrolled in the first half a la Istanbul. However back then, he didn't have a defensive midfield specialist with the prowess of Javier Mascherano.
I feel he could have been bold enough to start Xabi Alonso on the bench, let Steven Gerrard play slightly in front of Mascherano in the centre of midfield and most importantly field Crouch from the outset. Awkward he might look at times but to listen to the Milan players ahead of the final, his height and nuisance value was on their minds. As Liverpool's top scorer in the Champions League this season, he deserved more than a quarter of an hour.
Milan were decidedly lacking in ambition. However in Pippo Inzaghi they have a throwback to an earlier era. An awkward runner who scarcely resembles a contemporary, well-balanced athlete, Inzaghi neverthless possesses the striking instincts of Gerd Muller.
In the 1974 European Cup final replay, Bayern Munich's Muller (Inzaghi's role model incidentally) scored twice against goalkeeper Miguel Reina of Atletico Madrid.
Sadly for the Reina family, Miguel's son Pepe saw his own dreams of European glory cruelly shattered by the modern-day 'bomber.'
Real Madrid are still correctly regarded as European Cup royalty, but the recent history of the continent's premier club competition belongs not to the merengues, but to the rossoneri.
This was Milan's 8th European Cup or Champions League final since 1989 and their 5th victory during that time frame. No one else comes even close to matching that record in the last couple of decades.
We can now watch with interest to see if wholesale changes are made to the current Milan squad over the next few months, as they try to close in on Real Madrid's haul of nine.
Barcelona players Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Gianluca Zambrotta have all been linked with a summer move to the San Siro.
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I personally like Rae because he is one of the more objective columnists. Of course, most of what he says indicate that he is quite pro-Milan, but at the same time he backs up his points with evidence.
To be continued... J
That's not our former member Rae is it?
No Jim lol
Seedorf gave an 'exclusive' interview in uefa.com:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=590414.html
He is especially right when he says that the key to success is 'team spirit'. "It's easy to say it but it's difficult to do" and you have to "help each other through difficult problems."
I truly believe that Seedorf is a true representative of the management's philosophy.
Thanks to Tony29, this will be nice archival data for the future...
I'm watching RAI DUE show and again the same things are said about Milan. Capello, Daniele Massaro and few more gentlemen are in the studio and again they agree Milan has double personality, one for CL, one for SerieA.
First of all, there were questions to fans at San Siro after the match. They all said they are very angry and they have good reason for that. They say Berlu must do something because this can't and mustn't go on.
"Mancano attacanti" ( we're missing attackers) is what all of them agree on.
About today's match, Capello said " I can't believe that a team like Milan can concede such a goal. This isn't alowed for teams like Milan"
Massaro was less harsh and he said that the defenders that played today are the substitutes and that's why they weren't organized at all. He still admits that he's worried by the lack of concentration.
Milan's fan in the studio ( the guy i mentioned last Sunday) is again very protective and refused to admit Milan are in crisis. He says the reason for the bad results is a sole one : Ronaldo and Pato aren't playing.
Capello replied with " You think one man, even Ronaldo, will solve these 3 years old problems ? "
About the dubious situations, the ref said :
1. Kaladze didn't have an intention to toch the ball with his hand and the ref shouldn't have disallowed the goal ( Capello didn't agree. According to him, a handball that leads to a goal must be called a handball and the goal must be disallowed. Massaro also thinks the goal was rightly disallowed and according to him Kaladze stopped the ball with his hand with an intention to protect his head and to control the ball better)
2. The penalty for Milan : according to the ref it was a right call because there was a big distance between Favalli and Edusei, and Edusei had enough time to see where the ball will go and shouldn't have handballed it.
Everybody in the studio agrees it was a clear penalty.
3. The yellow for Mascara was correct because he mustn't stop the scorer from taking the ball to the center (Kaka took the ball after the penalty)
4. Pirlo deserved a red card for his tackle, not yellow because if he didn't make the faul, 4 Catania players would have been in counter against 2 Milan players
Goal.com editorial wrote about the recent issue with Milan's form. Here is the full article:
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Last season Milan finished the Serie A campaign in fourth place, a monumental 36 points behind city-rivals and Scudetto-winners Inter. In any normal year there would have been an outcry that Milan could possibly finish so far off the pace.
However all talk of the Rossoneri’s shortcomings seemed to disappear as soon as they lifted the Champions League in Athens in May. Of course the season had now been a hugely successful one – Milan had won the most prestigious club trophy in European football and what’s more they had done it in style after some sensational performances against Bayern Munich and Manchester United en route to the final.
Therefore Milan went into the summer transfer market with an arrogant aura that they were the Champions of Europe and did not need to change something that was not broken. The Rossoneri’s only notable purchases were 31-year-old ‘has-been’ Emerson from Real Madrid and the 18-year-old Alexandre Pato who, despite his description as a wonderkid, is only eligible to play for the Rossoneri from January onwards.
The result of this transfer strategy is that Milan now sit in 11th position in Serie A, already seven points behind leaders Inter after just six games. Furthermore Carlo Ancelotti’s men have failed to win in the league since the opening day of the season and they were dreadfully poor during the 1-1 draw with Catania at the weekend.
Critics in Italy all have their theories as to why things have gone wrong. One explanation is that Milan are simply too old. Out of the first choice starting-11, six are over 30 and only two are below the age of 29, Andrea Pirlo, who is 28, and Kaka, who is 25. The argument is that a team with so many old players simply cannot cope with the rigours of playing twice a week.
The second explanation is that Milan need to buy a striker. The Rossoneri have scored just five goals in their last five Serie A games, with two of these being penalties. This record is simply not good enough. What is even crazier is that Milan currently have just three senior strikers on their books.
Filippo Inzaghi can still be brilliant, but at 34, he cannot be expected to play 40 games a season and his best years are certainly behind him. Alberto Gilardino, to put it simply, is just not good enough to play for such a prestigious club. He is by no means a bad player, but he does not posses the technical ability or the striker intelligence to succeed. Then of course there is Ronaldo, who is either injured or overweight, and despite his undoubted genius, at 31 he hardly represents the future.
So this makes Milan’s decision not to invest during the summer in a proven striker all the more bamboozling. According to ex-Milan player Oscar Damiani, Milan passed up the opportunity to sign Luca Toni, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and David Trezeguet in the summer, three genuine world-class strikers. The fact that Toni only moved to Bayern Munich for a fee of around £9m makes this decision even harder to understand.
The simplicity of it all is that, in my opinion, Milan are probably only one world-class striker away from having a truly awesome team. The defence is sound, and the midfield of Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini and Kaka is undoubtedly the best in European club football. Finally the Rossoneri possess the best player in the world in the absolutely outstanding Kaka.
However all of this is wasted because Milan do not have a striker to finish the job. If either Toni, Trezeguet or Van Nistelrooy were playing up front for Milan, they would have scored about eight goals this season already. The sheer brilliance of the midfield means that chances will always be created, as was the case in the defeat to Palermo last week.
However this does not explain why, despite their dreadful form in the league over the past year, Milan are still the number one team in Europe when it comes to the Champions League. This topic requires a lot more analysis than I can offer here but the statistics talk for themselves. In the past five years, Milan have won the trophy twice and reached the final, semi-final and quarter-final on one occasion each.
This is an incredible record, unrivalled in recent years. Milan were simply magnificent in winning the competition last season and they have also began in imperious form this time around with a dominant 2-1 victory over Benfica a fortnight ago. So why do Milan continue to perform in Europe but struggle so badly in Serie A?
Are they, as many Italian critics say, prioritising the Champions League too much? Carlo Ancelotti has openly admitted that he prefers success in Europe to success at home. Or is the slow, passing game that Milan play so delightfully against foreign opposition just not suited to Serie A? Have Milan just been unlucky so far this season in the league?
Goal.com wants to know your views! What is wrong with Milan and what should they do, if anything, to solve their problems?
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It's more of a problem with motivation, but again teams that play against Milan only aim for a point (at least before the match begins). On the other hand, teams that play against Milan in CL really wants to win despite knowing that there will be a risk. More space for Kaka and Seedorf means that there will be more opportunity for scoring.
Old age is an issue, too, but we have been talking about this for the past 5 years, and we have won 2 champion leagues. If age is a factor, it only predicts Serie A :)
J
p.s.: I actually think that I'm going to write my own column pretty soon! Although I'm not sure if it's worth it.
Here is a recent interview that Kaka` gives to uefa.com. It is given before the game against Liverpool.
On the way to the photography studio where I'm scheduled to meet Kaká, I pass two billboards featuring the AC Milan star. In one he is dressed stylishly in suit and tie, in the other the clothes are more casual. We are in Zona Tortona, the trendy district dubbed the Soho of Milan because of its bars, galleries and fashion showrooms. Thirty seconds into our conversation it is obvious why stylists compete to have his clean face and gentle smile endorse their products.
Humble
When Kaká married his wife Caroline 18 months ago, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi declared he was "the husband every parent would like their daughter to have". A part-time model off the pitch, he has been a model of consistency on it, dominating the UEFA Champions League this season. His competition-leading ten goals have driven AC Milan to another final against Liverpool FC, but Kaká has not let his achievements go to his head. Deeply religious, the attacking midfielder remains one of the most humble figures in football. The word revenge is not part of his vocabulary.
'More experienced'
"The final against Liverpool is not about revenge," he told uefa.com. "Two years ago they won and that's it. We're just focusing on this new final. It's a great opportunity to write my name and the club's in the history of the competition. In a final anything can happen, we know it better than anybody after that game in Istanbul." Kaká was superb in the 2005 final, wresting the game from Liverpool in a mesmerising first half with his darting runs and pinpoint passing.
Liverpool challenge
Two years on another English side has witnessed Kaká at his best. He scored twice against Manchester United FC in the first leg of their semi-final, then put on a show for the adoring Rossoneri supporters at San Siro. The 25-year-old opened the scoring and drove Milan forward all night, the United midfield never coming to grips with his pace or vision as he exploited space in front of the visitors' back four. "Liverpool will probably be more difficult to face than Manchester United," Kaká reflects. "They are more focused on cutting down space while United play great football but also let you play. Liverpool are very organised and have a great coach. We know [Rafael] Benítez and [Steven] Gerrard really well but Liverpool are not about individuals, they are a very good side overall. Still if I have to choose one player, I would go for Gerrard. He is a leader, a point of reference for them."
'Work hard'
Just as Kaká is for Milan. The conduit of their best moves on the pitch, he has also become the focus off it. The patience and attention with which he deals with constant demands on his time from press and fans alike suggests he will not be letting success go to his head. He has been in the form of his life, but insists “there is room for improvement, there are many things to learn. I leave comparisons with other players to journalists and coaches, I only want to work hard to become a better player. Finishing as top scorer was never my objective. I'm not a forward, I'm more a playmaker but as long as my goals help Milan win games I'm happy."
'Focus'
As 23 May approaches, those goals have given Milan every reason for confidence. "The Champions League has always been our main focus. We started well, then we had a bad period, but now we're back at our peak at the most important part of the season." Not even a specialist in penalty-saving like Pepe Reina gives cause for concern. "I'm only thinking about positive things and I scored a penalty in Istanbul as well so I'm prepared to take one again. Liverpool have won some important games on penalties but I'm sure they don't want that again. No team plays for penalties."
'Very happy'
The bond between Milan and Kaká is strong, too strong to let constant transfer talk linking him with Real Madrid CF disrupt the relationship. "This club is like a family. I feel at home here which is very important for me. The rumours about Madrid do not disturb me. I have a contract with Milan until 2011 and I will move only if they want to sell me." Things might have been very different for the former São Paulo FC player who first moved to Europe in 2003. "I didn't pick Milan, Milan picked me. I could have joined Chelsea [FC] but they wanted to send me on loan to Russia while Milan had faith in me immediately. Looking back, I'm very happy with what destiny had in store for me." Another important date with destiny is fast approaching.
Wow! Another one on Kaka` in soccernet.com; just recently posted:
Being the undisputed king of the soccer world brings the sort of pressure few can deal with, yet Brazilian superstar Kaka insists he is ready to accept the mantle.
ValeryHache/GettyImages
Kaka: Set to scoop award.
The AC Milan hero rolls into Glasgow for another meeting with Celtic this week knowing he will soon be confirmed as the best player on the planet and at the age of 25, the Brazilian who almost single-handedly won the Champions League crown last season insists he will thrive on the status he will soon hold.
Both FIFA and UEFA look certain to name Kaka as their Player of the Year when the awards are handed out in a few weeks time, with his performances in Milan's run to European glory last season leaving the judging panels with few doubts over the destiny of the top prize.
Still looking baby-faced and apparently humble despite the platitudes he has become used to accepting, Kaka's ambition to repeat his Champions League heroics of last season appear to run deep and his determination to build on his already mammoth reputation serves as a warning to all who will cross him.
'I feel as if I'm only beginning to reach my peak now so the best is yet to come from Kaka,' vows the maestro who turned down overtures from Real Madrid and Chelsea during the summer.
'You can only become a mature player when you have played a lot of football and proved you are good enough to play at the top level. I feel I'm getting there now.
'Am I the best player in the world? That's for other people to decide, but the idea seems amazing to me. I believe Pele recently said I deserved to be seen like this so it is an amazing thought. Carlo Ancelotti, my coach at Milan, also said this after the Champions League Final last season.
'I look at some like Ronaldinho or Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as some of my team mates at Milan, and they have amazing talent, so it's hard to me to say I am better than the rest. I prefer to just win trophies and let people make their judgements of what I achieve.
'When people talk of you like this, it brings so much responsibility, but I look forward to accepting that. I feel as if I'm ready to be treated as one of the top players now.'
Ronaldinho's dramatic fall from grace at Barcelona and Thierry Henry's fading powers left a vacancy at the top of the game and Kaka has proved that he is more than worthy of accepting the crown.
That his sublime brilliance on the field is combined with the sort of modesty not normally associated with a player whose talents exploded in front of the watching world as Carlo Ancelotti's men closed in on another Champions League crown last May makes his a truly prized commodity. He is, indeed, fit to hold the title of the world's best.
Kaka's glut of goals in the group stages of last season's competition were followed up by the winner against a gallant Celtic side at the San Siro in the knock-out stages that went on to become a one-man show no one could stop.
It was his performances in the two semi-final clashes against Manchester United that confirmed this little Brazilian as the master many had been claiming he could become and he reflects on those two clashes with the team that went on to be crowned English champions with a gleaming smile.
'Beating Liverpool in the Final meant so much after what happened to us in 2005, but Manchester United at the San Siro was our perfect performance last season,' he continues, still clearly haunted by the Reds never-to-be-forgotten comeback in the Champions League climax of three seasons ago.
'Everyone says Arsenal are the only team in England to play with a Brazilian flair, but I feel United do it even more. Players like Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney bring so much to a game and that is why I say our victory over them in the semi-final was so special.
'I always watch English football and to play at a great stage like Old Trafford, where their fans gave them such support to come from behind in the first leg, was a great memory for me.
'What we did against United in Milan was amazing. They didn't have any chances and we beat them from start to finish. After they beat Roma 7-1 in the quarter-final, everyone believed they would be the champions, but we deserved our success.
'Now we want even more. The memories of the Champions League last season do not mean that ambition in my life has gone. I want to win the trophy again and again and after the emotion of what happened against Liverpool in Athens, we all want to experience this joy again.
'I know the statistics show no side has defended the Champions League successfully, but these records are there to be beaten. Maybe some team relaxes when they have won this competition, but no one at Milan doubts we can be back in the Final again this season.'
Kaka's match winning performances against United last season ensured he edged ahead of Portuguese magician Ronaldo in the race to be crowned the star performer of 2007 and he aims to end the year on a high by inspiring Milan to another triumph over Gordon Strachan's Bhoys on Wednesday night.
More than familiar with the demands of facing Celtic, he seems to be relishing the prospect of another night in the Parkhead caldron. 'They were tough opponents last season and I think Milan have played against Celtic four times in the last five years,' he concludes.
'Celtic are so strong on set-plays and have amazing spirit. Still, they have some weak points and we have to expose them. Scoring at Celtic will not be easy, but we have shown that one goal can be all you need to win a game like this. We came through so many tough challenges last season and this team was one of the trickiest.
'I like some of the Celtic players and (Shunsuke) Nakamura is an intelligent player. The atmosphere at their stadium is always very special and I'm sure it will be again.'
After a 2-1 victory against Benfica two weeks ago, a three-point haul against Celtic will put Milan close to qualification for the knock-out stages of the Champions League once again.
That will ensure Kaka's unique talents remain on display to his adoring public well into the New Year.
Pretty much the same thing, but then it'll be interesting to look back at all these interviews etc. a year (or more) so from now... tbc - J
Warro Bantan
08-10-2007, 13:19
Article on our recent victory over Lazio, with a focus on Gila:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/10/08/gila_monster_shakes_the_monkey.html
Very interesitng article; it'll be up to Gilardino to (hopefully?) prove the criticism wrong in the long-run.
ACMILAN1983
08-10-2007, 15:27
That's a very well written piece regarding Gila there, and the analysis is spot on
From Tony29:
Ok, they finished talking about Milan.
The guests for today are :
1. The gentleman from previous weeks, the Milan fan (couldn't catch his name)
2. Marco Tardelli (ex-Juve player and ex-Inter coach)
3. Bernardo Corradi (Parma player)
4. Pierluigi Collina
5. Fulvio Collovati ( ex-Milan and Inter player)
6. Daniele Tombolini ( referee)
7. Carlo Ancelotti ( not a guest in the studio but he was online and talking with the guys in the studio)
First of all, my thoughts : This was probably the worst refereeing i've seen for a while.
Great match by Milan but i can't help noticing (as did the men in the studio) that it seemed like Milan is playing against a serie C team. Lazio is simply not a team that can play Wednesday/Sunday.
I couldn't believe my eyes when i saw Seedorf, in 70 minute, running slower than a turtle and still outrunning Lazio defenders. Lazio players looked like they can't take a breath, like their legs weight 200 kilos.
Now, back to the guys in the studio :
1. Braida : He was caught on the camera , saying to someone in his cell phone, what all of us thought : SCANDALOSO ARBITRO (scandalous ref)
2. Ancelotti is mad at the refs and he attacked the way they handled the match.
Then he was asked by Tardelli, who thinks that what Milan needs is motivation, is motivation Milan's problem ? Ancelotti answered " No, getting more space is our problem. Tonight Lazio gave us all the space in the world and you can see the result".
When one of the people in the studio made some joke about Dida and how he is Milan's main problem, Ancelotti said that Dida was not the problem, the way the whole team played was the main problem.
He finished with " Now we are more calm and we can continue preparing in peace"
Then it was time for the ref Tombolini to give his view on the dubious situations in tonight's match :
a) First penalty situation - the linesman says it's a goal out, the main ref says it's a penalty. Then they have a conversation and they give corner kick - it can't be more stupid than this, can it ?
Tombolini says it wasn't a penalty but a clear dive by Gilardino and even though at first i was convinced it was a penalty , after watching the situation from 5/6 different angles, it was clear that Gila dived. He moved his leg deliberately so it will seem as he was fauled. Everybody, except for one other gentleman in the studio, agreed with this
b) The penalty . Everybody in the studio said it was a clear penalty
c) Gila's yellow card. Again everyone agrees that Gilardino dived withour being touched and that he deserved nothing else but a yellow card. (Ancelotti also said how Gilardino dived)
d) Kaka vs Cribari and Cribari stops the ball with his hand. Couldn't have been a more clear penaly, but the ref didn't give it.
There were many more minor incidents and in all these occasions the ref made a mistake in Lazio's favor. There were few bad offside calls when Kaka and Gila weren't offside.
Then they talked about Milan's defense that is playing really bad so far. Tardelli said "Maldini is desperately needed" .
At the end they talked about who has the chances for the scudetto. Everybody thinks Inter is the only team that can win lo scudetto ( even Colina). Only Milan's fan said that Milan and Inter have 50/50 chances to win the league.
P.S : Tay, what comments by Mutu ? When he was praising Juve and Ranieri and when he was thankful for the support they've shown to him, or smthg else ?
Well, let's see if the coaches are right (that Inter is the only team capable of winning the Scudetto!). Forza Milan!
A not-at-all merciful article from ESPN:
Dida - Can he be taken seriously?
I've touched on players cheating in the past, but what I witnessed at Celtic Park in the UEFA Champions League simply stunned me. Along with Shep Messing, I was fortunate enough to be ESPN's commentator as the Bhoys took on the European Champions.
GettyImages
Dida: Time for a nice lie down after a hard night treading the boards in Glasgow.
The game can be summarised in three parts, an uneventful first half, a better second with a great finish and that moment of pure theatrics in the 90th minute. I will never forget the two minutes which followed.
AC Milan keeper Dida's sublime piece of acting would have made renowned Scottish thespian Sean Connery proud. The only thought spoiling the sheer entertainment value of the whole farce was an underlying fear that German referee Markus Merk may actually buy the thing, and abandon the game. After all there was previous form.
Let me take you back 30 months. A Champions League Milan derby. Dida was hit by a flare thrown by an Inter nutcase after Merk had just disallowed Esteban Cambiasso's goal for no obvious reason. Dida was substituted and the game eventually called off. Milan were awarded the victory.
Before I return to the Samba Star in Glasgow, let me qualify. 27-year-old Celtic Robert McHendry was stupid to run on the pitch after Scott McDonald had hit the winner. I understand the emotion of the Celtic 'fan' as I too have been 'right in the moment'. Just two years ago my beloved Middlesbrough pulled off a remarkable four goal comeback after trailing Steaua Bucharest 3-0 in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final.
All professionalism was lost when I jumped onto the press box desk, crying and dancing like a babbling buffoon as Massimo Maccarone wheeled away in celebration at completing the breathtaking 4-3 victory in the dying embers of the game. But I didn't run down the stairs, onto the pitch to commiserate keeper Alberto Carlos with a playful tap.
Thinking about it, I probably wouldn't have been fast enough to get past the portly security man.
It is against the law in the UK for spectators to enter the 'Field of Play' during a sporting match. McHendry has been banned for life by his beloved club and he'll be hit hard in court. He deserves it. But punishment must come the way of Dida's defence. How Massimo Oddo failed to pick up the meandering invader or why Daniele Bonera left his keeper so exposed is beyond belief. Rank bad defending.
Seriously though, what really concerns me are Dida's actions. I watched the incident live; I have also watched countless replays from four different camera angles. Add to this the amount of close scrutiny Georgie Bingham and I gave the incident as we anchored 'Sportscenter'. It is clear to me that Dida was caught by a 'playful tap' no higher than on the base of his neck.
His instinctive reaction to run after the guy and throttle him gave the game away - which had he done, by the way, would have resulted in a red card for the keeper, but my refereeing background makes me digress. Only when the brain kicked in did Dida go down, but unfortunately go down holding an area six inches too high.
When the emergency services arrived the ice pack was hilariously applied even higher, to the temple. Fantastic samba slap-stick stuff. And when the stretcher was called for, I nearly wet myself with laughter. I was just waiting for the four circus clowns to arrive in the ambulance, apply the brake only to see the doors fall off in a puff of smoke. This stuff really should have been saved for the Theatre Royal, not wasted on Celtic Park.
Okay, I know it could have been far more serious than it was. What if the guy had intended to hurt him? What if he had been carrying a weapon? As I've said, Mr McHendry deserves all that is coming his way. But without wanting to sound like I condone his stunt, it was only a mere flick to the collarbone.
Empics
Acting 101: Dida gives us his 'confused' face.
So what about Dida? What I am not saying is that his thoughts went back to the Milan derby in 2005 and he deliberately tried to have the Glasgow game called off. However, there are major doubts to the integrity of his actions. His mind must have been full of all kinds of stuff ticking over at a tremendous rate. 'Has that just really happened?' 'Should I get him?', 'Do I fall?', 'Have I just lost the game for my team?' And, of course, 'We did get the three points awarded at the San Siro before, didn't we?'
There's no mistaking the fact that Dida is one of the world's great keepers, and, hey I would certainly have him at Boro as a number two to Mark Schwarzer. But I am now left with a few questions of my own. 'Can he now be taken seriously?' And, 'Will UEFA do the European game justice and hit him hard?'
They should. After all it was an act of simulation, and referees have had it hammered home by the very same body to clamp down on cheating!
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As a milan fan, I think we should all support Dida. Ok, he did it wrong, and perhaps it may be worthy to write a column on it.
But don't just forget what happen to him before that guy hit him. Boy, Dida feels to certain extent guilty of the conceded goal, and he thought that the best way to win it is by stimulation!
Out of positive: He loves Milan to the extent of even going for simulation!
***
Then there is this question: Why is that fan allowed to provoke in the first place? Umm.. this is something we should EQUALLY focused on, yet people like to pick on Dida, AGAIN.
Here you go, looks like Rae agrees with UEFA:
I'm not expecting all of you to agree with the first part of the column this week.
Let me just say, UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body have got it right in my view. No prizes for guessing what ruling I'm referring to.
If you believe Milan's lawyer Leandro Cantamessa, UEFA's decision to fine Celtic £25,000 while banning Dida from Milan's next two Champions League matches is 'disproportionate and illogical'. The defending European club champions will lodge an appeal but I would be absolutely flabbergasted if they're successful.
Did Celtic get off lightly? Probably yes. But ask yourself this. What was more damaging to the game of football and its image? The over-exuberant Celtic fan running on to the pitch and slapping Dida, or the goalkeeper's bad acting job? I think deep down we all know the answer to that question.
Dida's antics were grist to the mill of football haters around the world. He personified everything the game shouldn't represent.
Celtic supporters can be counted on to police themselves and ensure no fans invade the Parkhead pitch in future. One hopes, in the light of this judgement, players who're inclined to cheat (there's no other way to describe what Dida did) will think twice before indulging in amateur dramatics, whether in the run of play or otherwise.
____
I get his point, but I think he got one point wrong. it's the matter of sequence:
1) If Dida simulated and smoeone came onto the pitch and slapped him on the face, then Celtic should not be fined.
2) But now, it's Celtic who is responsible for the provocation of the simulation; and I think here is what Rae has missed.
I'm not saying that he is wrong; I'm just saying that the sequence is actually more important than what actually happens...
Blacktop
11-10-2007, 22:13
Dida's antics were grist to the mill of football haters around the world. He personified everything the game shouldn't represent.
Wow, so he's basically saying that he rates Dida's dive to be more salacious than the likes of doping and hooliganism.
Someone really needs his head examined.
wow, I haven't read the posts yet, but this thread seems to become a truly valuable asset. Brilliant idea for this thread, guys.
I had been thinking about writing a 'little' article about AC Milan's current season myself. I'll wait to write it until the inspiration comes to me.
I'm also gonna write a poem about Carlo Ancelotti soon. :grinser:
Forza Milan and love to you all :)
Blacktop
12-10-2007, 03:15
I was surprised when I saw this article, and even more so at the source.
Great result for Celtic, but UEFA let Milan down
HUGH MacDONALD, Chief Sportswriter
October 12 2007
LAUGHING all the way to the bank?
A visit to the cash dispenser seems unnecessary given the 12 and a half large ones Celtic will have to pay up front to UEFA. There will be that, and some change, in the celebrated biscuit tin.
The noise emanating from the East End of Glasgow last night was Peter Lawwell wheezing after he had completed a lap of honour at an empty Celtic Park. "This penalty is proportionate to the incident in question and a fair outcome," said Celtic's chief executive when he got his breath back.
He had a point. A cursory glance at the recent decisions of UEFA'S control and disciplinary committee shows that the tariff for the Celtic offence was always going to be a fine. Points deductions, the closing of the stadium, the end of civilisation as we know it . . . all had been touted as possible punishments for Celtic after Robert McHendry was involved in a clash with Dida, the AC Milan goalkeeper. It should be no surprise the outcome was a fine.
In common parlance, the fine for Celtic will be known as a Balde. Even if they have to pay the suspended part of the sanction and cough up £25,000, it is less than Bobo earns in a week. Though, to be fair, McHendry has been on the park more often than Bobo of late.
The deliberations of the UEFA committee raise two significant points.
The first concerns Celtic. There is no doubt that the management of the club acted swiftly and cleverly to what unfolded on the pitch. The only blip was an unwise remark by Brian Quinn, the chairman, about Dida's antics. The official line was that it was an unfortunate incident, that the offender had been apprehended and dealt with by the club and by courts. Everybody stuck by this. All were suitably contrite.
But a fan did get on to the park and he did touch an opposition player. Celtic will be discussing with police and the contracted security firm to find out how this happened. Those who stand by the pitch may state that the incursion of a fan on to the field as 60,000 celebrate a last-minute winner is difficult to stop. Perhaps.
But McHendry ran on to the park, touched the goalkeeper and then sprinted towards the corner flag and was left unmolested by the security forces. Indeed, he was ushered back into the stands by a steward. He could not have been more visible if he had stopped to give a trackside interview. He should have been spotted and "lifted".
This may form the basis of vigorous discussions between Celtic and those that charge them thousands for security, including Strathclyde's finest.
The second point concerns AC Milan and, specifically, Dida. Milan's gracious and noble stance during and after the game showed just how a great club should behave. They insisted that the result had not been affected and left the matter to UEFA. They have been let down.
Dida's punishment should have been the ridicule of his peers. The Milan goalkeeper was an object of scorn throughout the sporting world after he collapsed in front of the watching millions. He is the tube on YouTube. The sentence of a two-match suspension is ludicrous. It sets a precedent that may cause UEFA some angst in the future. Banning a player for going down too easily when hit by a spectator does not pass the most cursory of examinations.
There is a hysteria against "simulation" and against cheating. Dida has been a victim of this self-righteous rage. Yet a hundred acts of cheating occur in every match. Most claims for a throw-in are made by players who know the award should be made against them. That is cheating. It is seeking to gain an advantage through a lie.
Dida may have sought to gain an advantage by forcing the game to be abandoned or replayed. His club simply substituted him. His "simulation" had no effect on the game. This criterion was used to excuse Juninho from punishment when he dived against Rangers in Lyon. The same escape clause should apply to his fellow Brazilian.
Milan will appeal. They are right. Celtic will not appeal. They are relieved.
(theherald.co.uk)
Finally, we see someone who speak up, from UK :)
Blacktop
12-10-2007, 23:17
Finally, we see someone who speak up, from UK :)
Even better, I think it was a Scottish paper.
In addition to posting news articles, I'd like to see fellow posters write such pieces of their own about a particular Milan-related subject. I think someone mentioned this a few days ago.
Here's a similar article.
Dida ban exposes UEFA 'doublethink'
GLENN GIBBONS
LEWIS Carroll certainly would not have had UEFA in mind when he had Alice cry, "Curiouser and curiouser!", but it remains an entirely appropriate phrase with which to describe the conundrum that is the European governing body's disciplinary process.
In the matter of the disciplinary and control committee's deliberations on identical offences against their own regulations, logical consistency clearly does not apply.
Precisely one week after they decided that the Lyon midfielder, Juninho, had no case to answer in the wake of his blatant dive in the Champions League match against Rangers, the same panel imposed a two-match suspension on the Milan goalkeeper, Dida, for his play-acting near the end of the game against Celtic.
It will be recalled that the reason given for the no-further-action verdict in the Juninho case was that his misbehaviour had no telling impact on the game. This was in response to an inquiry from this column over the seeming anomaly between the judgment of the Brazilian midfielder and that of the Hearts forward, Saulius Mikoliunas, who had also been banned for two games for deceiving the referee into awarding Lithuania a penalty kick in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland.
"It depends on the seriousness of the deception, and the result of it," said the UEFA spokesman last week. "In the Mikoliunas case, a penalty kick was given and a goal scored. If a penalty had been awarded to Juninho, or if he had scored from the free kick, that would have resulted in charges being brought."
The obvious conclusion to be drawn from this breathtaking example of what George Orwell called doublethink was that, in the context of prosecution and possible conviction and sentence, the consequences of a player's deception are considered more important than the act itself.
This raised the obvious question of how the committee would deal with Dida, whose feigned injury after being lightly brushed by the now notorious invading Celtic fan was utterly irrelevant to the match. Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, and executives of the Italian club all insisted that it was of no consequence, having occurred in stoppage time.
The San Siro club's intention to lodge an appeal against the Brazilian goalkeeper's suspension is the least surprising development in the entire episode. It seems, however, that they will fight their cause on the basis that Dida's sentence is more punitive than the financial penalty imposed on Celtic, whose supporter instigated the incident.
This is certainly a sound point, but, in pursuit of rescindment, they need go no further back than nine days ago to find the precedent with which to present what should be a watertight case.
It is no defence of Dida's childish behaviour to argue that his treatment by UEFA is out of order. The so-called guardians of European football guaranteed that injustice would be seen to be done the moment they failed to apply their own criterion. With regard to all three cases, of course, the only moral travesty is the failure to punish Juninho.
RICHIE Hart's conviction for cocaine-snorting was followed by a suspension by Inverness Caledonian Thistle and a statement from the club that appeared to highlight the ever-growing influence of commercial interests on professional football.
In issuing assurances of how seriously they view the midfielder's behaviour, the Highland club said: "The club would like to reassure the club's commercial partners, supporters and the public that the club adopts a very firm stance in relation to the use and/or possession of drugs."
(sport.scotsman.com)
Maybe it's just me, but I find being busted for drugs to be somewhat worse than diving. Unless you're diving while on drugs. :)
"It depends on the seriousness of the deception, and the result of it," said the UEFA spokesman last week. "In the Mikoliunas case, a penalty kick was given and a goal scored. If a penalty had been awarded to Juninho, or if he had scored from the free kick, that would have resulted in charges being brought."
Classic.
I personally like Rae because he is one of the more objective columnists. Of course, most of what he says indicate that he is quite pro-Milan, but at the same time he backs up his points with evidence.
To be continued... J
LOL, not sure if I'll agree now. But he has his point regarding the Dida's incidence, but I am not sure if it's a strong enough one.
Thanks for the articles, BMWTaylor. Do these opinions represent the current thinking of the press? Or do they belong to the minority?
Blacktop
13-10-2007, 15:12
Thanks for the articles, BMWTaylor. Do these opinions represent the current thinking of the press? Or do they belong to the minority?
No problem, daryl.
Definitely the minority. Before the verdict was delivered, finding any articles with this point of view was far harder than looking for a needle in a haystack.
Blacktop
15-10-2007, 00:43
FAI boss Delaney battles for Celtic at UEFA hearing
Monday October 15 2007
FAI chief executive John Delaney fought a grim battle to keep the gates of Celtic Park open for Champions League action.
It's understood at least two members of the UEFA Disciplinary Committee wanted to close down Parkhead for Celtic's remaining home games in the group stages -- after a Celtic fan appeared to strike the AC Milan keeper, Nelson Dida there.
Delaney managed to deflect attention away from the breach of Celtic's security measures and focus instead on Dida's shameful injury simulation.
(www.independent.ie)
What a jerk.
Yeah, seen that in the paper today. Really pisses me off. Do your own job of getting a proper manager, you knob, otherwise stay out of professional football, you amateur.
FAI boss Delaney battles for Celtic at UEFA hearing
Monday October 15 2007
FAI chief executive John Delaney fought a grim battle to keep the gates of Celtic Park open for Champions League action.
It's understood at least two members of the UEFA Disciplinary Committee wanted to close down Parkhead for Celtic's remaining home games in the group stages -- after a Celtic fan appeared to strike the AC Milan keeper, Nelson Dida there.
Delaney managed to deflect attention away from the breach of Celtic's security measures and focus instead on Dida's shameful injury simulation.
(www.independent.ie)
What a jerk.
Not surprised! This same guy John Delaney has managed to ruin Irish soccer. He run's it as a dictatorship. He fired Brian Kerr after the world cup qualifying campaign where we lost one match to France promised us a world class manager and went off and appointed the wasall reserve team coach steve staunton basically making the international job a managerial training course!
Blacktop
16-10-2007, 11:02
An Open Letter To UEFA
By Little Boy Blue
Tuesday 16th October 2007
Little Boy Blue raises some points of concern.
Dear Sirs,
All true football fans rightly condemned the actions of the Celtic fan who recently encroached on the field of play and accosted AC Milan goalkeeper Dida. As the governing body responsible for the Champions League, UEFA were duty bound to take stringent action to show how dimly such misconduct is viewed and to deter fans of other clubs from acting in a similar manner.
It is deplorable that you failed to act appropriately to uphold football's good name and recent revelations that it was the intervention of FA of Ireland president John Delaney which prevented UEFA taking a stronger line against Celtic asks serious questions of the integrity of your organisation.
That this incident occurred at Celtic Park is no surprise to those of us with knowledge of how low behaviour standards are at this ground. Inadequate stewarding is par for the course and there have been countless incidents over the years where fans have got on to the field of play or players and match officials have been struck by missiles thrown from the stands. Due to a particularly Celtic-friendly media in Scotland, these episodes have tended to be covered up but, when such a disturbing incident occurred in such a high-profile match, it was not unreasonable to expect that UEFA would act decisively to ensure the protection of all players and to let Celtic FC know that they are bound by the same rules as every other club.
The circumstances surrounding the latest incident must not be allowed to cloud the issue. Whether Dida overreacted to his encounter with the fan is irrelevant. A spectator got on to the field of play, was able to assault a player and Celtic FC are 100% responsible for this. Their stewards tend to be fans working for free admission, invariably paying more attention to events on the field than focusing on crowd control duties. That the fan in question was able to escape unhindered surely highlights the club's culpability.
You should also be aware that this is not an isolated incident. As recently as their qualifying tie against Moscow Spartak, Celtic fans got on to the field at the end of the penalty kick shoot-out. Whilst no threat was posed to the Russian players, the very presence of fans on the field of play is totally unacceptable. Once more the stewards were too busy joining in the celebrations of Celtic's victory to focus on their duties. Perhaps if your Observer had been more vigilant that night and you took action against Celtic, the subsequent more serious incident would not have occurred.
On a number of other occasions, most notably in domestic fixtures against Rangers, Celtic fans have indulged in intimidatory behaviour resulting in assaults on players (Ally Maxwell - Jan.94, Fernando Ricksen - Mar.05) and there was the infamous pitch invasion and assault on referee Hugh Dallas in May 1999. There was even an occasion in a reserve team match when a Rangers player (Fraser Wishart) became aware of an air pistol being fired at him. Furthermore, you will be aware of an incident at Ibrox Stadium last season when a Celtic fan got on to the field and brought the Rangers v Maccabbi Haifa UEFA Cup tie to a halt.
For a considerable number of years, Celtic fans have been permitted to revel in a glowing reputation about their commitment to their club and the feelgood factor they generate. This is a myth, created and maintained by the club's publicity machine and the pro-Celtic media. UEFA also share some responsibility for allowing yourselves to be manipulated into presenting an award to Celtic fans for their behaviour at the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville. As I recall this came at the end of a campaign which saw ticketless fans storming turnstiles, widespread forging of match tickets, pitched battles at airports and flights re-routed, then the Celtic crowd marred the final itself with their venomous jeering of the victorious Porto side, hardly the sort of conduct worthy of an award for sportsmanship.
There has for some time now been a widely held suspicion that, again led by sinister elements within Scottish society, UEFA has preferred to focus its disciplinary might on Rangers FC, allowing minor offences like the singing of certain songs to be blown out of all proportion, even fining the club despite originally finding the fans not guilty of 'discriminatory behaviour' at Villarreal in March 2006. Meanwhile, the systematic lawlessness of Celtic fans continues to be ignored. Your reluctance to deal swiftly and aggressively with the most recent incident can only be viewed as cowardice which reflects badly on UEFA and, indeed, the entire football family.
UEFA had a wonderful opportunity to establish the standards expected of spectators. Celtic FC should have been punished for their neglect of a long- running problem and the fans too are worthy of punishment for their reluctance to identify and isolate the perpetrators of the various unacceptable acts over the years. A hefty fine, the deduction of the points they won against AC Milan and the closure of Celtic Park are the actions which should have been taken if UEFA was to retain any credibility as a disciplinary force.
By allowing John Delaney any input on such a serious matter in which, given Celtic's traditional hamming up of their Irish links (indeed, the programme for the Milan game makes this very point) and the ownership of the club by a politically-attuned Irish billionaire whom the FAI has previously approached for cash for fund their operations, he clearly had an interest, your integrity is greatly flawed.
Ironically, your dereliction of duty came on the same day when comments attributed to Scottish FA Chief Executive Gordon Smith, regarding an 'agenda' against Rangers FC, were rubbished by UEFA spokesman William Gaillard. But by refusing to act strongly against Celtic FC, you have further fueled the perception that your organisation is incapable of acting even-handedly.
Yours in sport,
L. B. Blue Esq.
(followfollow.com)
wow! That's a quite a strong letter, BMW. followfollow.com? J
Blacktop
16-10-2007, 11:27
wow! That's a quite a strong letter, BMW. followfollow.com? J
It sounds weird saying this, considering the stupidity of his actions that night for which he was vilified around the world, but since the verdict and the subsequent popping up of articles like the ones above, it seems that Dida is looking somewhat more, well.....sympathetic? :uhm:
A great chat earlier today in Gazzetta dello Sport with Silvio Berlusconi.
You can find it there, or in acmilan.com
----------------------------------------------
AT PEACE WITH OUR CHOICES
10/16/2007 11:03:00 PM
MILAN - On the gazzetta.it videochat, Silvio Berlusconi spoke of his presidency as a dream. Ibrahimovic? 'It would have been a great purchase, but we were in the middle of the sporting trials.'
MILAN - Here are the some of the comments made by president Berlusconi during the gazzetta.it video chat moderated by Alberto Cerruti with viewer questions selected by Diego Antonelli:
"We've had a somewhat unlucky start to the season but we are recovering. Milan still have to be the kind of team who, from the first minute, makes it clear it wants to win and dominate the match, while still respecting the opponent."
Then came the question of an Inter fan, who asked for Berlusconi's opinion as a football expert on Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "He's a champion, we would surely have bought him if it weren't for that unjust penalisation we had to deal with last summer. We had already decided to buy Ibrahimovic as we had had many contacts. We thought he was the right player for us. I would have liked to see him play for Milan, but I'm not angry that he's at Inter now. Unfortunately we were involved in the Calciopoli trials. We felt too indignified by the situation, and were unable to act on the market. It was a missed chance, perhaps the only one. But we managed to get Ronaldo, whom I wanted, as well as Baggio. I am at peace with the choices we've made, and judging by the results, we made excellent choices. Totti? Any team would want him, but you know the way I feel about it, you cannot buy or sell club symbols. Actually I also said this about Alessandro Nesta when he was at Lazio, but they experienced some economical problems and were forced to sell him. He was about to move to Juventus, but then Milan stepped in and Nesta was happy to move to Milan in the end."
Berlusconi then went on to talk about Kaká: "Kaká is doing fine at Milan and has never shown any intention to leave. As long as he is proud to wear this shirt, there is no economical reason that would take him away from us. There is no sum of money we couldn't refuse for him. Pato? I haven't yet seen him during training, but I've seen videotapes of him playing with Internacional Porto Alegre and Brazil before we bought him. But Ancelotti, Gattuso, Maldini, and Ronaldo, whom I spoke to only yesteday, assure me he is a champion."
The next questions verted on the defence: "We have a lot of defenders, ten of them for four positions. Nesta? He's not old, sure we have Maldini, but Maldini is a phenomenon who laughs at his ID card. Compared to other teams, we love our champions to the last. Costacurta is part of the technical staff, other former champions of ours are coaching in the youth sector, I consider them almost as younger brothers, we are a family. I'll miss Maldini when he won't be playing anymore. But there are many players that Milan are considering for the defence."
Here are some of the other themes discussed by Berlusconi: "As a Milan fan I'm living this presidency as a dream come true ever since I took over this club, and I hope this dream can last as long as possible. Unless one of my sons steps in and tells me I'd better start being a spectator. My daughter Marina? It's not true she limits my investments on Milan, I have complete jurisdiction. In my first Milan side as a fan my idol was Degani, but also Puricelli, who had a golden head. But nowadays everyone wants to be like Kaká: he's young, he's good-looking, very ethical, and he interprets his role at Milan the way we like to see. Gourcuff? He still has to mature as a man, but I'm sure he will end up fine. Pirlo? He is quiet and his behaviour off the field doesn't attract a lot of attention outside the pitch. But considering the way he plays, the way he dominates and conducts the team's play, he deserves the Golden Ball."
On Dida: "I consider him a great goalkeeper. The whole team united around him, after Glasgow. It's hard to understand what goes through the mind of a player when those things happen. It can also happen to a great champion to make a mistake. But let's remember he insisted on playing in Glasgow despite a problem to his shoulder. We owe Dida one of our Champions League victories, the one in 2003 in Manchester against Juventus. It was him against Buffon: Dida made us win the trophy. Football? For me it's a passion, a metaphor for life, it's not a business, otherwise it would be a business in pure loss... And I've never wanted to acquire a club that wasn't Milan. Did I want to buy Inter? That's completely untrue, it never crossed my mind."
On Braida and Galliani: "At 99% I'm always satisfied with their work. I feel very secure about Braida, while Galliani is the most transparent, honest person around. He's an open book and has to be thanked by all the fans. Ronaldinho? For Barcelona he's an unsellable player, but if Barcelona would put Ronaldinho on the market, Milan would be first in line to get him. Ronaldo? The appointment for Ronaldo in top form on the pitch is in Tokyo. I talked with him, t And since he has cut his hair he improved ten times compared to before, he shouldn't cut them again. Sheva? He asked to be sold due to family reasons, I feel very connected to him, I have affection for him, but football is like women, a bit irrational. After Ancelotti? We haven't thought about it yet, we'll think about it."
Berlusconi also answered a question regarding the construction of a stadium onlyelling him to be patient and careful. Ronaldo is a strong player, the injury that happened to him could have happened to anyone. for Milan: "I'm in love with San Siro, so I don't agree, we have the best stadium around. On Sunday 7 October for example, I would have liked to go to the Olimpico to see Lazio-Milan, but the pitch is very far from the stands in that stadium, while at San Siro you have more close contact with the players. Many things have already been done to improve this stadium, many services have been added, even though there are still no shops. But if we were to build a stadium all for ourselves, what would remain of San Siro? A cathedral in the desert and that is not a good thing."
Warro Bantan
16-10-2007, 18:03
Nice words from il presidente! (I kno, a bad mix of Spanish and Italian) :D
Warro, that looks like "perfect italian" to me :respect:
For those who can understand italian, look at the video in gazzetta.it
That guy is awesome... if you pay attention to what he says, you will understand how he thinks, and many would stop saying things like: "We need new defenders, we need a new goalkeeper - Dida sucks... get Quaresma, get Torres, and all that crap...
Blacktop
17-10-2007, 11:33
That guy is awesome... if you pay attention to what he says, you will understand how he thinks, and many would stop saying things like: "We need new defenders, we need a new goalkeeper - Dida sucks... get Quaresma, get Torres, and all that crap...
So true. Love your sig, by the way; it made me chuckle. :)
Speaking of Dida, the appeal decision is not expected until early next week. Holy Moses, could this be dragged out any longer? The CL will be over by the time this is finally put to rest. :rolleyes:
inter-1908
18-10-2007, 16:49
what dida did was wrong, maybe not deserving of a suspension, maybe just a fine. You can obliviously tell he was faking it, after he was slapped in the face(very lightly) he started walking, and then out of knowhere he makes a really fake looking fall to the ground. His actions actually appaently sparked milans interest in a new keeper, but those rumours are highly unbelievable.
www.uefa.com
If AC Milan could be put under the microscope one thing for certain would be discovered – European success is in the Rossoneri's DNA. Even when they struggle in Serie A, the standard they set on the European stage never seems to drop. Milan have won just one Scudetto in the past five years, but their two UEFA Champions League triumphs and three final appearances eclipses their rivals at home and abroad.
'Tradition and history'
"The tradition and history of this club always pushes you to be more determined and focused in European competitions," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti in one of a series of uefa.com interviews with the key figures behind Milan's success in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Last season Milan finished fourth in Serie A, 36 points behind champions FC Internazionale Milano. In Europe the story was completely different. The Rossoneri produced some exhilarating football to defeat the likes of FC Bayern München, Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC to win the European Cup for the seventh time.
Berlusconi influence
Filippo Galli lifted the trophy three times with the Rossoneri and is now coach of Milan's Primavera youth side. He credits club president Silvio Berlusconi for instilling the winning mentality. "When he arrived [in 1986] he immediately said Milan's target was to reach the top of European and world football. It doesn't mean we take the Italian league less seriously, but there is no doubt that for reasons of prestige Milan always targets European and international trophies more than domestic ones."
'Like a family'
Loyalty and a unique management structure are further secrets behind the Rossoneri's success. Most Milan players are happy to spend their entire careers with the club – take Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta for example. Many continue to work for Milan at the end of their playing careers. "I believe the key to this club is the management system chosen by president Berlusconi," said Ancelotti, one of the five men to win the UEFA Champions League both as a player and coach during his time with the Rossoneri. "This club is like a family. Relationships grow stronger year after year like they do within a real family."
Loyalty
"The board undoubtedly pays great attention to players who represented this club," Galli adds. "The club helps former players and doesn't want to lose their technical and personal input. The club gave several of us the chance to stay within the group. I believe it's unusual but it is something which other clubs are now following. Milan have set off down an important path and it has brought great results. Let's hope it continues like this in the future."
'Connection'
Continuity is key. Under Arrigo Sacchi – Berlusconi's first coach – Fabio Capello and now Ancelotti the philosophy of the team has never changed. "There are many similarities between the Milan sides of the past 20 years," Maldini explains. "There is a connection, certain constant factors. Sacchi's Milan started everything. Both Capello and Ancelotti changed the team according to their needs and their tactical beliefs and according to the players they had. But I believe it was Sacchi who formed the blueprint."
'Taste for victory'
Through bitter losses, such as the 2005 final against Liverpool, the Rossoneri have grown stronger. "Defeats have helped us stay hungry and have given us a real taste for victory because we understand how bad it feels to lose," explained former defender Costacurta who now works as Ancelotti's assistant. "Winning five European Cups makes me feel proud. It's a great feeling, also because we reached the final on other occasions. It means we have done well over the years. I was lucky enough to be part of this great team."
Inzaghi delight
The recipe for success is clear: European DNA, family ties, continuity, and of course, goals when you need them most. Step forward Filippo Inzaghi, Milan's two-goal hero in May. "That match will always stay in my heart," Inzaghi said. "Winning the Champions League and being lucky enough to score is extraordinary." No team has won the European Cup more times than Milan, but there is one thing not even the Rossoneri have managed to achieve – a successful defence of the UEFA Champions League title. "There's always hope, we're a very competitive side but in Europe there are many other strong teams," Inzaghi says. "You have to be stronger than them and you also need a bit of luck." Fair comment, though when you look back at the history of Milan's European success, luck seems to have little to do with it.
inter-1908
21-10-2007, 10:36
Alot of milan fans, think its now time for a new keeper, although what dida did was not right, i do not think it was deserving that now people would like to boot him out.
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=453862
Milan's Malaise Running Deep The disastrous home defeat to Empoli has merely confirmed what most observers already knew: there is a crisis at Milan.
The big question, however, is whether this the start of an even deeper decline? Gil Gillespie reflects on the rossoneri's problems...
Milan's Malaise Running Deep
zoom - galleria
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Disease
Something is rotten at the heart of Milan.
Even the ultra-positive Silvio Berlusconi has now acknowledged that things are not going well for his illustrious team this season.
"This is a black crisis," he told reporters following the Rossoneri’s 2-1 defeat to Celtic in the Champions League. "It‘s the worst period of results since I have been boss of this club."
He's not far wrong. Milan currently lie 11th in Serie A, ten points behind leaders Inter, having won only won two of their first eight league games of the season. To make matters worse, they also lost their Champions League tie against Celtic in the most disastrous of circumstances.
But it is not merely the results that are causing concern at Milanello. Carlo Ancelotti’s team have often looked lethargic, short on ideas and have been over-reliant on the always-inspirational Kaka.
The 1-0, Kaka-less loss against a highly organised Empoli team was a continuation of the somewhat passionless, lifeless displays that has already cost them points against Fiorentina, Siena, Parma and Catania.
Diagnosis
So what exactly is going on in the red-and-black corner of Italy‘s most glamorous city? The theories are many and many of them have an element of truth in them.
The first, and probably the most popular, is that Milan’s starting eleven are too old. Many feel that this is one season too many for the likes of Maldini, Favalli, Serginho, Seedorf, Emerson, Inzaghi and the rarely fit, often fat Ronaldo.
Indeed, more than half of the current starting eleven are the wrong side of 30, hardly ideal in an era when games come thick and fast and usually twice a week.
There may be a little bit of mileage in this argument but, with the super-technology at MilanLab capable of extending careers almost beyond rationality, could it be the problem is not so much one of age as one of motivation? It must be difficult, even for supremely professional athletes, to get fired up for an away game at Siena when you’ve just won the World Cup, the Champions League or both.
Have been-there-done-that superstars, like the trophy collecting Clarence Seedorf, or even Rino Gattuso, got the appetite for the long haul of a Serie A season?
"We have problems against teams who close themselves up at the back," admitted Alessandro Nesta recently. Lazio, for instance, didn’t just sit back and soak up the pressure and Milan destroyed them 5-1. Empoli were far more pragmatic and came away from the San Siro with a win.
But there is a far more glaring reason for Milan’s start-of-the-season slump in form. Inzaghi and Gilardino are not an ideal striking partnership, and neither have been in a particularly good goalscoring mood of late playing on their own, either.
And with Ronaldo still kicking his heels on the injury table, or knocking back the drinks in Brazil, Berlusconi’s last-minute veto of the purchase of the outstanding Luca Toni in the summer now looks extremely short-sighted.
At least there is a chink of light on the horizon in the form of the new Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato who is eligible to play competitive football from January. A quick look at his video highlights package on YouTube explains just why the club were so delighted to get his signature. Reports from the training camp suggest his debut cannot come too soon.
Theory three in the Milan ‘07 equation concerns the presence of Carlo Ancelotti as coach. Ancelotti has made no secret of his desire to succeed his former team-mate Donadoni as boss of the national team and some are seriously questioning his position at the club.
Should he, as Lippi did with the Italian team, have quit at the top after the Champions League triumph in May? Should he have the final say on who he signs and who he plays? And what the hell is he doing bringing on a defensive midfielder like Cristian Brocchi when Milan are 1-0 down against Empoli?
A quick scan of the substitute bench gives us an answer to the last of these questions. Ancelotti simply didn’t have any other attacking options at his disposal. In the end he had to resort to taking off Inzaghi and asking Ambrosini to play as a striker. It’s a ridiculous situation for a club as big as Milan.
However it is Berlusconi, not Ancelotti, who controls the purse strings and oversees the transfer policy. But this doesn’t explain why the long-serving coach hasn’t acted to replace his disaster-prone Brazilian goalkeeper Dida.
Of all the reasons cited for Milan’s average domestic performances and occasional European slip-ups in the last few years, the constant mistakes of the giant goalkeeper are probably the biggest factor of all.
Dida has become the elephant in the room that Ancelotti refuses to acknowledge. This is, lest we forget, the keeper who's three mistakes cost Milan the Champions League final in 2005, the quarter-final of the same competition against Deportivo a year earlier and almost did the same in the European Super Cup of 2007.
And, of course, it was Dida’s two truly diabolical errors that gifted Celtic three points a week or so ago in the Champions League. He is an utter liability, a keeper who has what those in the trade call ‘hard hands’. He cannot smother shots on goal or push them around the post; instead, he just palms them back into the path of oncoming strikers.
He also has slow feet when moving across his line and doesn’t know how to command his 18-yard area. Oh ,and he is indecisive and greasy-gloved when dealing with crosses.
Add a complete loss of confidence and you have the only keeper in the world who makes David James look like Mr Consistency. The trouble is, Milan’s number two Zeljko Kalac is even worse. Ancelotti must face up to the truth about Dida and either buy Marco Amelia from Palermo or recall Christian Abbiati from his loan period at Atletico Madrid.
Failure to do so will only see the early season’s problems deepen. And although Mr Berlusconi may be partly responsible for the malaise, he is not likely to tolerate any further descent into mediocrity.
Gil Gillespie
inter-1908
21-10-2007, 18:10
is this a thread were we canpost articles and discuss them?
is this a thread were we canpost articles and discuss them?
More likely columns that include some sort of analysis. Use your judgment to decide whether it should belong here.
Blacktop
23-10-2007, 01:55
Yes, I know, this is way off topic, but this same publication really laid into Dida after Glasgow. However, after reading this, it doesn't appear they're exactly partisan to the Celts either.
Grow up Boruc!
Celtic's idiot goalkeeper Artur Boruc was up to his old tricks again today at Ibrox. Crossing himself in front of [Rangers] fans and refusing to shake Gers' players hands at the end.
The Polish International has already been in trouble for crossing himself in front of Rangers fans, and he decided he would REPEAT the trick today at Ibrox. The goalkeeper was caught red handed today by Setana Sports cameras who caught him quite clearly looking towards the Rangers fans, think about it for a second then cross himself.
Now, I have nothing against people crossing themselves, if that's what they believe in then fine, I am not going to knock your beliefs. But he quite clearly did it to get a reaction from the Rangers fans, it was premeditated and having already been in trouble over the same thing, the book should be thrown at him.
Boruc was in trouble with the police after he did the same thing in a match at Ibrox in February of 2006. He was cautioned with breach of the peace by the police but escaped getting a criminal record. Boruc was also needleesly booked today for getting involved in a flare up which was going on at the other end of the park, he also refused to shake hands with Rangers players at the end of the game.
Today's behaviour was the latest in a long line of incidents involving him. The incident in February 2006 was the start of it, he was also spotted gesturing towards Aberdeen fans AND Hibernian fans this season. The pole escaped punishment after he was caught flicking his fingers at Hibernian fans in a game a few weeks ago.
It's about time that something was done about his antics, he can't continue to get away with it. Maybe a fine or a ban would teach him a lesson and teach him to grow up and get on with playing football. Why he needs to get involved in these kind of incident is beyond me.
(Vitalfootball.co.uk)
From uefa.com magazine, an interview with Capello:
uefa.com: Can you describe an exercise you did in training which helped a player improve?
'Capello: In order to improve you have to first find your player's weak points, but you can only improve a person or a player if he understands that everything you do is with the purpose of improving him and not just to expose his weaknesses. The best thing that happened to me, I think it's worth telling, is when I was coaching Clarence Seedorf at Real Madrid. After two months with him I asked him, "Do you think you can shoot?" He said: "Yes, very well." I told him he could shoot only in one way. In football you shoot in several ways, with the outside of your foot, with the inside, and I gave him a small lesson. He is a lad with great character and determination and he started to work hard and improved a lot.'
Graeme C
28-10-2007, 15:01
i just wrote this on a page on goal.com, when i finish the site i hope to get more columns from people on the forum.
I really believe that the Milan management is super naive. They are the main cause to Milan's current problems, main cause but Ancelotti's tactics from the last two Seria A games have to be questioned. The last few seasons Milan has failed to add depth to the squad or lower the squad age. They have perfered to sign bargain bin or cheap players like Emerson and Favalli than pay for a player that would actually add something. They rely on old players like maldini, inzaghi, favalli, cafu, and Serginho to make the difference but dont give a young talented player like Gourcuff enough chances. It was pretty idiotic of them not to think Ronaldo wouldnt be injured at all, and only to secure Pato for January. The management had a crazy sense of loyalty towards the players and a sense of being on cloud 9 after the champ league win, when really they were very lucky to get as far as they did! Thus because of loyalty towards the current players, Milan watched as everyone else reinforced.
They never have fully replaced players such as Shevchenko, Rui Costa and Stam. Other teams in seria A like florentina and Juventus have both added depth without breaking the bank, so what is Milans problem? Why cant they play in seria A? Having just Gilardino and inzaghi makes it impossible for them to break small teams down. Questions have to be asked over Ancelotti and if Milans results don’t change, a change of manager is needed. Although its not his fault, Ancelotti has performed miracles with the current squad but he should of had a bigger voice in the summer and demanded more players.
Blacktop
28-10-2007, 18:55
Will that be an actual column or is it for the comment box?
Graeme C
28-10-2007, 19:14
Will that be an actual column or is it for the comment box?
comment box lol, its not proof read enough or written in the right style for a column.
I begin to wonder whether we should invite people to write a so-called weekly (or monthly) column for MM. What do you guys think? Any suggestions? I hope that it'll take a little bit more of an analytical approach and to infuse topics that people do care about.
I know the incentive is low, but I hope that, in addition to adding new insights into Milan issues, we can also build a sense of community here at MM. What do you think? - J
I don't know if here's a good place to write this but now is a GREAT time to be a Milan fan. Soon this depressing cycle will be over and we could talk about it and laugh :)
Well, in the column we don't necessarily talk about how BAD (REALLY? REALLY? REALLY?) Milan is; we can talk about different types of things and I can come up with different topics. The most important point is to be critical. I certainly welcome your idea, drucurl, even if you just bash Gilardino. Not too extreme though, please.
Blacktop
28-10-2007, 23:32
I'm all for that.
I'll gladly check punctuation and spelling. :D
Well, in the column we don't necessarily talk about how BAD (REALLY? REALLY? REALLY?) Milan is; we can talk about different types of things and I can come up with different topics. The most important point is to be critical. I certainly welcome your idea, drucurl, even if you just bash Gilardino. Not too extreme though, please.
Nope no gila bashing (today) I am more upset with the ref. I don't mind refereeing mistakes or bad decisions....we're human.....but when an official is consistent in giving the other side their way it doesn't go down well with me at all :mad:
Warro Bantan
29-10-2007, 16:57
From theGuardian:
Paolo BandiniOctober 29, 2007 5:19 PM
Say what you like about Silvio Berlusconi (he always will), but he does support his manager. OK, so he might occasionally criticise Carlo Ancelotti's selection policies, refuse to buy the players the Milan manager wants and attempt to take credit for all his successes, but in a league where managerial job security is flimsier than Laura Esposto's grasp of footballing basics, Carletto has been able to enjoy a rare stability. Appointed to replace Fatih Terim in November 2001, Ancelotti has been in his job almost twice as long as closest rival Roberto Mancini. Those two aside, of Italy's 18 other top-flight bosses, 12 have held their posts for less than 10 months.
Of course, Ancelotti has justified such faith - two Champions Leagues, two Super Cups, one Scudetto and a Coppa Italia isn't a bad return for six years' work - but has also had to endure criticism. Many would have considered Berlusconi to have been justified in cutting his losses last season during a campaign that only brightened in its closing act. Were it not for one marginal win over Liverpool last May, the clamour for change would now surely be deafening. Yesterday's defeat to Roma left the Rossoneri slumped in 13th, with 10 points from nine games and no wins in five league attempts at the San Siro.
"Even Homer slept sometimes," soothed Silvio after the defeat, breaking into Latin ("Et Homerus aliquando dormet") and slightly misquoting Horace. "I remember years when we racked up negative results and then we started winning again, as usual. There's nothing to worry about. Even I, if I had to give a speech every three days, would make a mistake sometimes."
Unlikely as that last part may sound, Silvio's main point is justified - under Ancelotti, Milan have made a habit of slow starts and strong finishes, and there is enough quality in the squad to believe they will improve. But it is also true that Milan have not started this badly at home since 1981-82, when they were relegated to Serie B. Believing that things will turn around, just because they always do, betrays a shocking naivety over the extent of the club's shortcomings.
Dida and Alberto Gilardino have been held up as scapegoats - for not saving and scoring enough respectively - allowing the club to kid itself that the entire solution lies in their replacement. Yet it was not Dida and Gilardino who let the side down yesterday against a Roma side that had won only one of its previous five league games. Gilardino, receiving only fitful service from midfield, made incisive runs and helped set up Kaka for probably Milan's best chance of the game; Dida could not be faulted for failing to block Mirko Vucinic's superlative diving header.
Instead Milan were exposed for the same reason they have been so many times this season - a lack of pace, athleticism and tactical nous. At 39 Paolo Maldini was always going to struggle with Cicinho and Milan's failure to adjust to his repeated surges down the captain's flank was so blatant even John Barnes spotted it on Five. Massimo Ambrosini - a spring chicken at 30 - simply couldn't be bothered to track back to assist, while Gennaro Gattuso was scarcely better on the right.
Much has been made of the imminent return of Ronaldo, due back in November (at this rate probably not this November, mind) and the promise of Alexandre Pato, but this is a side that needs new blood - even if only reserves to add depth - at almost every position. Even if Ronaldo and Pato live up to the unreasonably lofty expectations being put upon them, they will not reinvigorate a defence with an average age of 34, or a midfield that - Kaka and Andrea Pirlo aside - seems to have allowed a lack of serious competition for places to kill their motivation.
Not that any of this should take away from an impressive and much-needed win for Roma that brought them back to within three points of Inter. Deprived of captain Francesco Totti after he injured his ankle during Tuesday's win over Sporting Lisbon, the Giallorossi didn't always control the game but did always look the more likely to score, and would have had a clearer margin of victory had Daniele De Rossi not lazily chipped a late penalty over the bar.
It was also a second goal in a week for Vucinic, who'd only claimed his first of the season after replacing Totti during the win against Lisbon. Strong and slightly taller than Totti, Vucinic possesses less instinctive flair than his captain but is well-suited to leading the line. After yesterday's game he promised to follow up with a brace in the derby against Lazio on Wednesday, though he may have to settle for a deeper-lying role if Totti recovers in time as anticipated.
But Milan v Roma was only one of a number of stories on a weekend when Inter, Fiorentina and Juventus all dropped points. Inter couldn't find a way past Palermo's ageing stopper Alberto Fontana in Sicily, la Viola were held at Genoa, but it was Juventus who endured the most frustrating weekend - going down 3-1 at Napoli following a pair of shocking penalty awards against them from referee Mauro Bergonzi.
"We cannot be treated this way," said Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, before implying that officials were being instructed to give decisions against his side when in doubt following the fall out from Calciopoli. "It is not possible that the authorities did not see what happened today. Nobody will give us back our three points, but we do need the referees to officiate our games without all this pressure," he added, easing the pressure nicely.
Juve's frustration is easy to understand - the first penalty was awarded for an immaculately timed tackle from Giorgio Chiellini on Ezequiel Lavezzi in the area, the second for a dive by Marcelo Zalayeta. Their sense of a conspiracy against them has been heightened ever since their 3-2 win over Cagliari in round two - when two penalties were given against them and a third had to be waved off by a linesman. Bergonzi has been dropped from this week's matches and will likely be given a month or so off for "reflection".
Antonio Cassano could probably do with a little introspection himself after a moody first-half exit from Sampdoria's defeat at Catania. Injured in the 39th minute, Cassano simply put his head down and walked straight off the pitch, shrugging off team-mate Vincenzo Montella's attempts to stop him. Cassano later explained the incident by saying he was just too upset to want to see anyone after suffering his "umpteenth injury". Sadly, knowing Antonio's luck, he'll probably get a lot more than a month off.
Results: Catania 2-0 Sampdoria, Empoli 0-1 Atalanta, Genoa 0-0 Fiorentina, Lazio 0-1 Udinese, Milan 0-1 Roma, Napoli 3-1 Juventus, Palermo 0-0 Inter, Parma 3-2 Livorno, Siena 0-0 Reggina, Torino 2-0 Cagliari
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/10/29/sluggish_rossoneri_need_inject.html
inter-1908
29-10-2007, 19:42
MIlans slow defence was the key problem in the lose to roma, and if de rossi wasnt sucha flop and missed a penalty that was handed ona plate to him, then it would have been 2-0. They have officialy been ruled out of the scudetto race. There is still the champions league though.
Blacktop
29-10-2007, 22:17
Dida and Alberto Gilardino have been held up as scapegoats - for not saving and scoring enough respectively - allowing the club to kid itself that the entire solution lies in their replacement.
Amen to that.
Dida and Alberto Gilardino have been held up as scapegoats - for not saving and scoring enough respectively - allowing the club to kid itself that the entire solution lies in their replacement.
Amen to that
They're right, replacing those two would not be the entire solution, but it doesn't mean it wouldn't be part of the solution either.
hany.Egypt
30-10-2007, 04:33
Both played well againist Roma, Gila was quit good and dangerous and Dida saved lots of dangerous shoots, so why are they criticized now?
Warro Bantan
30-10-2007, 10:00
Lets remember the reason for this thread folks!!
Blacktop
30-10-2007, 10:54
Lets remember the reason for this thread folks!!
Sorry...
Boban blasts struggling Milan
Tuesday 30 October, 2007
Former Milan star Zvonimir Boban has criticised the current Rossoneri side and insists that they need more than Alexandre Pato to turn things around.
The European champions are in the doldrums after last weekend’s defeat against Roma left them in 13th place.
The Diavolo have pinned their hopes on Brazilian striking starlet Pato, who arrives in January, but Boban is not convinced.
“I strongly doubt that Pato will be enough to jumpstart the Milan engine,” he told La Stampa.
“If the Rossoneri want to compete on all fronts they need one really big signing.”
Boban believes that the priorities at the club have changed since he won four Scudetti at the San Siro between 1992 and 2001.
“Milan have changed their philosophy and now they put the Champions League first and let everything else follow,” he stressed.
“As Europe seems to matter more than everything else, the side are unwittingly snubbing the League.”
The Croatian ex-midfielder concluded by casting a critical eye over the men at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal.
“It’s a different squad now because you can’t ask the old guard to keep working miracles,” he warned.
“Ancelotti doesn’t have the strikers who can turn a game, let alone a season, like Jon Dahl Tomasson or Daniele Massaro used to.
“Inter have Julio Cruz, Juventus have Vincenzo Iaquinta and Roma Mirko Vucinic, but Milan have nobody.”
(Channel 4)
Blacktop
02-11-2007, 03:24
A football fan hauled before the courts over a pitch invasion that marred Celtic’s victory over the reigning European champions will be sentenced today.
Robert McHendry (aged 27), ran on to the pitch and confronted an opposing player as Celtic celebrated a last-minute winning goal against AC Milan in Glasgow last month.
He admitted causing a breach of the peace at the October 3 match at Glasgow Sheriff Court, saying he was “carried away” by the goal.
Sheriff Craig Scott told him he viewed the incident seriously, before calling for reports ahead of today’s sentencing.
Single father McHendry ran up to Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida, after running on the Parkhead pitch, and made contact with the player before disappearing back into the crowd.
After briefly chasing after the fan, the Brazilian collapsed theatrically to the ground before being stretchered off with an ice pack against his face.
(Ireland Online)
Wow, to think this jackass is also a father. :rolleyes: He sure set a great example for his kid last month.
Haven't come back for a while; here is an interview between Rae and Seedorf:
Seedorf critical of Italian society
Derek Rae
Archive
Once again, the Italian game has come under the spotlight following the death of Lazio supporter Gabriele Sandri at a motorway rest stop in Arezzo last weekend; although the scenes that unfurled 400kms away in Atalanta were just as worrying for the state of Italian society as a whole.
GettyImages
Clarence Seedorf (R) and the Milan players surround the referee as he abandons the game against Atalanta.
News of the shooting prompted violence on the terraces at the game between Atalanta and AC Milan in Bergamo while, later in the day, fans in Rome armed with batons and stones attacked one of the police units in the vicinity of the Stadio Olimpico before raiding the CONI headquarters.
A problem that has blighted Italy's reputation across Europe, the killing of policeman Filippo Raciti after violence broke out at the Sicilian derby match between Catania and Palermo first sent shockwaves around the country nine months ago, and it would appear that nothing has changed.
One of the players involved in the scenes at Bergamo, Clarence Seedorf has seen a lot in his long career and has been in Italy since 2000, playing for both Milan sides, but has been critical of the Italian government for failing to put an end to the trouble.
Derek Rae caught up with the AC Milan midfielder to ask him about the problem of violence in the Italian game.
Derek Rae: Do you think this is a football problem or one for Italian society in general?
Clarence Seedorf: Well it's obviously society's problem and it's not the first time we have talked about it. It's really a pity that things still have not changed in Italian society and in the people that come to the stadium. Of course in Italian football we can improve and make it safer and do a lot of things to improve everything that's going on in the stadium, but even this accident has nothing to do with football directly.
Certainly I think it was a miscommunication, or they made the wrong decision, to say it was a Lazio fan. I don't think we're going to find too many Italians that aren't linked to a club. Every time someone dies in Italy, it could be a Milanista or an Interista or a Roma supporter - they are all fans of clubs, so why communicate it like that?
That's what provoked the reaction in the stadium of the Curva, the supporters of Atalanta and Milan, because after the Catania incident where a police officer died, they stopped the games that weekend and for two weeks afterwards. So they said now one of our people died, so they have to stop the games also. And that's when they started to be violent in the stadium, to stop the match.
DR: You've been quite critical of the Italian government in recent days.
CS: Yes because I don't really think it's good for society to blame football all the time for things that are not really our responsibility. I think government has to take the responsibility, the federations have to take the responsibility, but these are two separate things.
One thing is to try and improve the environment of football, and one thing is to resolve society's problems. And I think, more than once, the government has had great opportunities to make major changes using football to better the community; but it's still not happening and unfortunately they just point the finger at football and that's not really changing anything for the better.
GettyImages
The Atalanta Ultras make their feelings known over the death of a Lazio fan.
DR: Your Milan team-mate Kaka has been quoted as saying that he fears this kind of violence might lead eventually to people not wanting to play in Italy. There's also been talk about his own potential departure. Is that something that you could see happening?
CS: Well I have a different point of view because we all have good contracts and I think we all have been treated very well by Italy and Italian clubs and Italian fans. Personally, I want to help as long as I'm here, and as long as I'm playing for AC Milan, I want to create a better environment for football.
I want to lead by example, on the field, off the field, with interviews and things of that nature, and all the ones who are thinking of leaving, I believe that's a simple escape. I don't think it's going to help football in general. Italy is way too important for players just to say: 'Well it's still just the same, I'm leaving.' A lot of the players are paid very well, so I think you have a certain amount of responsibility, especially to the young players to try to make a change for the better.
From UEFA.com magazine:
Present perfect for Ambrosini
After a career beset by injury, everything is finally falling into place for Massimo Ambrosini. The 30-year-old played a pivotal role in AC Milan's UEFA Champions League triumph last term and has become equally central to his country's hopes. Ambrosini has never had it so good. "I feel so good at the moment," he told uefa.com. "What I've learned from everything I went through is that I have to focus on the present, without complaining about the past or worrying about the future."
Rise and fall
Ambrosini joined Milan in 1995 but, having failed to force his way into the side, was loaned to Vicenza Calcio two years later. He was recalled in the summer of 1998 and became a key player in the Rossoneri's Scudetto success that next season. There seemed little doubt, at the time, that Ambrosini would become an influential figure in the Milan midfield – and perhaps even Italy's after his Azzurri debut in April 1999. The only surprise since has been how long this process has taken. A persistent knee problem, coupled with a loss of form, put his progress on hold. Between 2003/04 and 2005/06, Ambrosini started just 23 Serie A games. As a consequence he makes sure he savours every appearance now.
Living the moment
"I've learnt to enjoy every match I play," he said. "All the time I spent on the sidelines or on the bench was useful. It made me understand I have to live the present. I know it could happen again, but I don't want to spend time thinking about it. Perhaps [Milan coach] Carlo Ancelotti will decide to play with two or three forwards when Ronaldo and Pato are available, and maybe in that case I'll have to sit on the bench again. But it's OK – and it's useless to worry about it. I'm just trying to do my best, stay in good form and enjoy it."
EURO goal
What Ambrosini does regret, however, is failing to make the Italy squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The tournament came too soon as he worked his way back from injury. Ever since though, he has been on fire. New Italy coach Roberto Donadoni gave him another chance in August 2006 and Ambrosini was recalled after a two-year absence to face Croatia. As a further sign of confidence, Donadoni even entrusted him with the captain's armband.
New contract
At club level too, Ambrosini has barely put a foot wrong. Ancelotti's decision to make him a fixture in the side midway through last season turned the campaign around. Defensively sound, he provided the cover that enabled Kaká to push forward to devastating effect. He was rewarded before the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC when Milan extended his contract until 2010. "Now it would be fantastic for me to take part in the upcoming [UEFA] European Championship. It would be great, partly because of my age. I'm 30 and it will probably be one of my last chances to do something important for Italy."
Winning mentality
Ambrosini, who began his career at AC Cesena, speaks with feeling and with a great desire to make up for lost time. "It was a big regret not to go to the World Cup. I think the Italy players who won it have developed a winning mentality, although the same sort of thing has happened to me and my team-mates as Milan have won a lot in recent years. That mentality helps, because once you win, you want to win again and again. This is another reason why I will give everything to take part in the EURO."
Inzaghi praise
Donadoni called up six Milan players for the Azzurri's final two UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers, against Scotland and the Faroe Islands, though with one notable exception – Filippo Inzaghi. Ambrosini has words of encouragement for the striker, who last week equalled Gerd Müller's 62 goals as the all-time leading scorer in European club competition. "I know it's disappointing to be left out, but Donadoni has found an amazing striker in Luca Toni who is in great shape. Inzaghi is a great forward and he will do many more good things for Italy, yet he just has to stay calm." So speaks the voice of experience. Having bided his time, the Milan No23 even captains the team these days when Paolo Maldini is unavailable. Yet the lessons of the past loom large: As Ambrosini looks forward to UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria and Switzerland after helping his side qualify with victory over Scotland on Saturday, he will be taking nothing for granted. "I'm in good form but I don't want to think about the future," he said. "Whatever comes, I'll take it."
***
Very interesting read...
I found this published in FIFA.com:
Chatting with the iconic Paolo Maldini is like having a conversation with AC Milan itself. In the world of modern football it is increasingly rare to find players like the Italian defender, now in the last season of an illustrious career, who have spent their entire professional life at just one club. Maldini is not just a role model in his chosen sport but in life as well.
With the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 kicking off in a month's time, FIFA.com spoke exclusively with the Rossoneri captain at AC Milan's training complex in Milanello. And who better to gauge the feeling in the camp ahead of their Japanese adventure than that great man Maldini himself.
FIFA.com: Paolo, you've said this will be your last year as a player. You've worn the same shirt in a career spanning 23 years. What does AC Milan mean to you?
Paolo Maldini: AC Milan is like my second family. My father was a player and captain on this team and I've followed in his footsteps. My son plays in one of the youth teams, although it's by no means certain that he'll become a footballer. For the Maldini family AC Milan means a great deal, and on a football level virtually everything.
What is the secret of staying at the top for so long? Has your playing style altered over the years?
One of the most important reasons is that I've played in a good team that has provided me the incentive to go on. As time goes by you gain experience. You perhaps lose something from a physical point of view but you improve tactically and mentally.
How important is the FIFA Club World Cup for you and the team?
We give it great importance because it enables you to become a world champion. It is the pinnacle of club football. It's a road I've travelled down several times in my career and which has, unfortunately, not always ended in ultimate victory. I was a winner the first two times I played in the tournament, but on the losing side in 1993, 1994 and 2003. It's always a great disappointment to leave the pitch as a loser because the Club World Cup is such a difficult competition to qualify for. It's a real pity to let the opportunity escape you.
This is the first time you'll be appearing in the FIFA Club World Cup with the new seven-team format. What changes do you think you'll see?
The approach to matches will definitely be different because we'll be staying in Japan for a longer period. There are less certainties but you get the chance to prepare better by dedicating more time to the competition.
Boca Juniors are the most decorated team amongst your possible opponents. What can you tell us about them?
We have to play a semi-final first before we even qualify for any final. And we all know that as the years go by the first game is becoming increasingly more difficult. Upsets are never far away given the improvements in the quality of football on other continents. If we do play against Boca Juniors then we'll be meeting a team that has always shown itself to be very compact. Their personnel changes a lot because they sell their best players but the team remains very solid. Squad unity and a winning mentality are the main strengths of the Argentines in my opinion.
What is the physical condition of you and the AC Milan team in general?
My physical condition is not ideal because I still feel pain due to long months of inactivity. I need to play a few matches if I am to arrive in Japan at my best. Ronaldo is in the same condition as me. The team is improving even though we haven't yet found the right continuity in Serie A. I believe we have turned a corner though.
On the basis of past experience the backroom staff are concerned about jetlag. Is this a serious problem?
From my point of view the defeats the last three times we played were not mainly due to jetlag. In 1993 against Sao Paulo we played a very good team and lost an exciting match, whereas against Velez (Sarsfield) and Boca (Juniors) we were probably the better team on paper but couldn't show it on the pitch. Jetlag affects everyone and the South Americans have to travel even further than us.
During your career you've played with some of the best players of all time. How do Kaka and Ronaldo compare?
Above all Kaka is a decent and hard-working guy. In football terms he combines excellent technique and ability to score goals with exceptional speed. The latter is vital in modern football. Ronaldo is a world-class player and as such when he's fit he gives the team that something extra in terms of technique and personality. Let's hope he's back quickly to contribute. He has innate scoring awareness because he has a unique ability to transform every ball he touches into a scoring opportunity.
Turning back to you, how disappointed were you last summer not to be part of the Italy team that won the FIFA World Cup in Germany? After all you'd played in four previous tournaments and hold the Azzurri appearances record with 126 caps?
I was very disappointed in 1990 when we lost against Argentina in the semi-final and in 1994 when we were beaten by Brazil in the final. So my disappointment doesn't really concern Germany 2006, given that I hadn't played for Italy for four years, but rather my career as a whole.
Incredibly it was left-back Fabio Grosso and central-defender Marco Materazzi, playing in your favoured roles, who were decisive in influencing Italy's fate...
The World Cup is like that. You have to grasp your opportunities. I, and the teams I played in, were not good enough or lucky enough to succeed, whereas (Marcello) Lippi's men deserved their victory.
Luck and your ability now give you the chance to end your career as a world champion. Did you know that if you play in Yokohama you'll claim the record for the most appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup in its various guises?
Statistics only count for so much but when I look at the numbers I can't help but notice this is the only club competition where I've lost more times than won having suffered three defeats but enjoyed two victories. I'd like to end my career with those statistics evened out. I'd love to lift the trophy with my team mates. Winning the world title with AC Milan means everything to me.
12 November, 2007
Link:
http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=635765.html#maldini+wants+winning+finale
One more, an interview with Kaka`, again form fifa.com
Kaka: A burning desire(FIFA.com) Monday 3 December 2007
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Sitting opposite Kaka, the first thing that strikes you is the contrast between the tranquil person in front of you, and the driven, powerful, often unstoppable player who incites passions the world over with his skill, speed and elegance.
One cannot but think of the numerous spectacular goals the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA World Player of the Year nominee has scored, in particular the ten netted in last season's edition of the UEFA Champions League, including three in Milan's semi-final victory over Manchester United. Unsurprisingly, this goal haul made him the competition's top scorer and went a long way to helping his side claim the continent's top trophy, and with it UEFA's coveted slot at Japan 2007.
Listening to his down-to-earth answers and intelligent reasoning, you quickly realise that Kaka is no ordinary individual, but instead a young man perfectly suited to the environment and era in which he finds himself. The only question now is whether he and Milan can go on to conquer the world.
FIFA.com: Kaka, with Japan 2007 just around the corner, what are your expectations?
Kaka: I must admit I have a burning desire to win the Club World Cup, especially with it being my second crack at this title. I first played in it in 2003 - the format was different then - and I haven't forgotten our defeat that year to Boca Juniors. This time, my team-mates and I will be hugely motivated to see that things work out right for us. I'm sure we are up to the challenge.
Now that you mention Boca. Can you envisage another final against the Argentinians?
Let's take it one step at a time. First we have a semi-final to contest, even if we don't know yet who we'll be facing in it. I think it would be really nice but also risky if we came up against the home side [Urawa Red Diamonds] in our opening game. With them enjoying home advantage, they'd be sure to have a huge backing. If I'm honest, though, I love performing to packed stadiums in front of an enthusiastic and passionate fans, even when it's at our opponents' grounds.
Staying with Boca for a moment, it augurs well for a possible clash with the Argentinians that their nickname is the Xeneizes (the Genoese). This year in Serie A, Milan have fared very well against the teams from Genoa, who they have often struggled against in the past.
Let's hope that little coincidence brings us luck in Japan. But yes, we played magnificently away to Sampdoria and Genoa and won comprehensively on both occasions. That said, we've been lacking a bit of consistency in the league, although I'm convinced we'll arrive in Japan in excellent condition. If we make the final and end up facing the Argentinians, we'll have to reproduce the best form we've shown this season; in other words decisiveness as well as quality and creativity. The same would apply if we were to meet the Tunisians (Etoile Sahel) or the Mexicans (Pachuca).
Milan will play their semi-final on 13 December at the International Stadium Yokohama, which is also the venue for the final. It's a stadium you have fond memories of we imagine.
Very much so. It was there that Brazil won the World Cup in 2002 after beating Germany in the final. It's a day I'll never forget and one I hope to experience again at South Africa 2010.
I hope to be able to help my country finally heal the wound left by one of the most painful defeats in the history of football: our defeat to Uruguay at the 1950 World Cup.
Kaka
Perhaps even at the edition after that, which will take place in your native Brazil.
By then, I'll be 32, but I hope to be able to help my country finally heal the wound left by one of the most painful defeats in the history of football: our defeat to Uruguay at the 1950 World Cup. Before that, however, I have my sights set on winning other titles. Apart from the 2010 World Cup, I'd dearly love to win the gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, as it's missing from the Seleção's list of honours. And let's not forget the Confederations Cup in 2009.
Getting back to the FIFA Club World Cup, after winning the last three editions, Brazil's teams are conspicuous by their absence this year.
Another way to look at it is, with an Argentinian side as our main rivals this year and so many Brazilians at Milan, it will be down to our team to continue the success enjoyed by my compatriots in recent years. Sure, there are other Serie A sides with Brazilians in their ranks, but at Milan, with Cafu, Emerson, Ronaldo, Dida and the rest, I feel like I'm part of a mini-national team.
If the Rossoneri do reach the final, club president Silvio Berlusconi plans to jet out to Japan ahead of the big day. Is this a measure of the importance the club are placing on this competition?
The expectation is building by the day. I only need to think of the courage of [Rino] Gattuso or the desire and willpower of [Paolo] Maldini to realise we're going to win it. We're a tight-knit group and the squad is made up of genuine champions with the experience that comes with winning everything the game has to offer. There is no sense of envy among us. From the moment I arrived here four years ago, I've never had the slightest problem. I feel I've blended in well and I know I play a very significant part out on the pitch. On the other hand, I'm well aware that individuals rarely win you things; it's always the team.
For AC Milan, and even yourself, victory in Japan could be the culmination of a fantastic era. Can you see yourself leaving Milan some day?
I have a contract with Milan with a long time still to run on it, and I feel happy here. I belong to an institution that has enabled me to realise my dreams. Moreover, in a few months time, my wife is due to give birth to our baby. Here I feel appreciated and I'm surrounded by fellow Brazilians, with whom I share a small but very unified community. To tell you the truth, the thought of leaving has never even entered my head, even though in football, there are not many things you can be really sure about. Even with something as simple as food, here in Italy you eat exceptionally well. My favourite dish is pasta, and I can't imagine there's anywhere where they do better pasta dishes.
Would you consider returning to play in your homeland one day, what with the economy starting to recover again?
It would be wonderful to have such an opportunity in the years to come. In Brazil, there are many, many players, and they all want to come to Europe, as here we have the richest and most prestigious leagues in the world. Nevertheless, I think it will be many years before the current situation changes.
In Brazil, players learn very quickly that the Club World Cup is the most important [club] title.
Kaka
To sum up, what does the FIFA Club World Cup mean to you?
In Brazil, players learn very quickly that the Club World Cup is the most important [club] title. You have to win the Copa Libertadores to earn the right to take part. However, in Europe it's the opposite. The highest aspiration is to win the Champions League, and the Club World Cup is a bonus. That said, for a variety of reasons, things are different this year. At Milan, there are veterans like Maldini, who will shortly hang up his boots, and others like myself who have never won this trophy. In addition, there are players like Ronaldo who have on the sidelines for a while and therefore are hungry to shine again on a big stage. In brief, we're 100 per cent focused on the job in hand and we want that Cup
Link: http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=648849.html#kaka+burning+desire
Warro Bantan
05-12-2007, 09:44
Thanks Jeff...Kaka never ceases to impress.
Yet another one: Coverage on Milan increasing!
***
Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage is routine for an AC Milan side which has reached the final three times in the past five years. The 1-0 victory against Celtic FC which gave the Rossoneri top spot in Group D, however, will not be forgotten in a hurry by Rossoneri team-mates Kaká and Filippo Inzaghi.
Kaká prize
What made the match so special for them? Perhaps because Kaká was voted Man of the Match by uefa.com users and Inzaghi scored the winner. Wrong answer – that too is routine. For Kaká it was the first game since receiving the Ballon d'Or which he proudly showed to the Milan tifosi prior to kick-off. For Inzaghi that 70th-minute winner took him beyond Gerd Müller as the all-time record scorer in UEFA club competition with 63 goals.
'Great honour'
uefa.com met Kaká at Milan's Milanello training ground the day after he was awarded the Ballon d'Or which he was keeping close to his side as he entered the room. "It's a great honour to have written my name in the history of football like this," he told us. "It's a very important award in Europe, I would say the most important individual award for a footballer. Having my name included on the list of winners is really a huge honour."
Milan greats
The Brazilian international is the sixth Milan player to win the award after Gianni Rivera, Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten (three times), George Weah and Andriy Shevchenko. The ten goals Kaká scored to lead Milan to the UEFA Champions League title was the key for his individual success. "To win awards like the Ballon d'Or and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, you have to do well in the Champions League especially in a year when there is no World Cup or European Championship. The Champions League was definitely the most important trophy last year and we won it."
Huge responsibility
Kaká will become a father for the first time next year and recently revealed plans to study theology to become an evangelical pastor. His hunger for further success on the pitch, though, is undiminished. "Getting to this level means I have the necessary quality so if I work hard I can stay at this level. It is a huge responsibility but I like it because it's a challenge. Next year I want to win all the things I won this year [again]. This is my new challenge."
'Do it again'
As for the future, Kaká is happy for more of the same. "I have always said I want to become a symbol of this club, one of the leaders and the captain, respecting the hierarchy in the team. Paolo Maldini is a great example for me. But not just him. There are several players here who have won everything but still have the same motivation to keep on winning. At 25 I have already won almost everything in my career. Now I want to do it again." Starting with the FIFA World Club Cup which Milan will contest later this month in Japan. "This is the last major trophy I'm missing and it's the same for several of my team-mates including the Italian internationals who won the World Cup last year."
Inzaghi record
Among those is Inzaghi who discussed his new record with uefa.com after the game against Celtic. Like Kaká, there is plenty more the 34-year-old hopes to achieve. "It's a great feeling especially because I did it at San Siro, in front of my own supporters. Now I'll try and keep going and keep scoring, particularly because a lot of the players chasing me in the goalscorers' charts are younger than me and will have more opportunities to catch me up."
First goal
Some players don't remember their past goals or games, not Inzaghi. You don't want to get your numbers wrong when interviewing him. He remembers all his European goals, including the first on from 28 September 1995 when his Parma FC side defeated Albania's KS Teuta 2-0. "I remember that goal clearly," he recalled. "It was an important one because it was my first game in Europe and I scored in the last minute. I don't think you ever forget your first European goal."
Athens triumph
"Obviously my favourite goals were the two I scored in Athens," he added. "There's no question about that. I'd like to thank all the clubs I have played for and my team-mates." Kaká is the man to thank for the second goal in last season's UEFA Champions League final. His perfect pass split the Liverpool FC defence and put Inzaghi through. The striker's instinct, for which he still thanks mother nature, did the rest, Inzaghi's goal sealing Milan's seventh European Cup title. With Kaká and Inzaghi in this kind of form, there are likely to be many more golden weeks to celebrate.
***
http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=4/newsid=633110.html
Time will tell if this is true insight or just a bunch of bulsit:
World is not enough for AncelottiDominic Raynor
Archive
Beleaguered AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti earned some rare praise this week as the Rossoneri cruised to victory in FIFA's Club World Cup final, but the win may not be enough to save his job.
GiuseppeCacace/GettyImages
Carlo Ancelotti lifts the FIFA Club World Cup
The Italian club took time out from their dire showing in Serie A to thrash Boca Juniors 4-2 in Yokohama, Japan, as Kaka justified his FIFA World Player of the Year crown with a scintillating performance that included two assists and a goal for himself.
However, Milan's success in FIFA supremo Sepp Blatter's pet project failed to paper over the cracks of a disappointing domestic campaign and with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho apparently waiting in the wings Ancelotti's days appear to be numbered.
Milan have failed to win a single game at the San Siro this season and languish in 11th place, 22 points behind league leaders and city rivals Internazionale. Ancelotti won the Champions League with Milan last season and only his team's progress to the knock-out phase of this year's competition has prevented his demise.
To make matters worse, Mourinho has moved out of the shadows and into the spotlight and is ready to pounce if Milan opt for a change of coach, or, as Ancelotti alleges, are talked into doing so by the silver-tongued Portuguese.
The Milan manager suggests that it was Mourinho who contacted the Rossoneri as part of his search for a new high-profile club to coach and not the other way around. However, Mourinho denies that is the case and insists he has never contacted the club 'directly or indirectly' but hinted that Milan may well have contacted him.
The former Porto boss was a leading contender for the England job and is accused of stringing the FA along in order to raise his media profile and force an approach from some of Europe's biggest clubs. Whether that is the case or not Mourinho's association with England certainly saw him linked with Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan; although links to most of those clubs have been denied, or simply abated, the Milan deal persists.
The Italian press persevere with the story and Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi has reportedly made a £10million offer to Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Porto and two Premier League titles with Chelsea, to succeed Ancelotti.
Speaking at press conference in Yokohama Ancelotti acknowledged that he was well aware of all the newspaper talk.
'I read an article in the Italian papers about Mourinho,' he said. 'Milan were supposed to have offered him my job. They may have done but I haven't been informed by the club that there has been a formal offer.'
But the 48-year-old Italian, who has led the Rossoneri for six years, added: 'If Mourinho does want the job it just gives me extra motivation.'
If Mourinho takes a job before next summer he will forfeit 40 per cent of his £20million settlement with Chelsea and that may give a newly motivated Ancelotti a deadline to save his job.
***
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=492131&root=europe&cc=5901&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2
Blacktop
27-12-2007, 01:56
NELSON DIDA
di Redazione - giovedì 27 dicembre 2007, 07:00
Hanno fatto tutto i media brasiliani. Prima hanno segnalato la presenza di Ronaldo alla festa con Adriano nelle stesse ore in cui il Milan beveva l’amaro calice del derby. Poi hanno lanciato nel circuito la notizia, attribuita ai dirigenti del Flamengo, dell’autorizzazione (firmata Milan) ad allacciare trattative con Ronaldo per il trasferimento in prestito, da gennaio, grazie al contributo dello sponsor Nike, che tiene sotto contratto anche il club di Rio de Janeiro. Così, nel volgere di qualche ora, l’ipotesi è diventata la notizia di fine anno: e cioè l’incontro imminente tra Ronaldo, il suo agente Fabiano Farah e il vice-presidente del Flamengo Kleber Leite sabato ad Angra dos Reis, località balneare tra le più famose. Decisivo, per rendere credibile il fanta-trasferimento, un particolare sullo stipendio: è cioè la disponibilità da parte di Ronaldo a tagliarsi l’appannaggio dagli attuali 6 milioni di euro a circa la metà. La reazione, immediata, del Milan è stata la seguente, firmata da Ariedo Braida: «A gennaio non sono previste cessioni». Adriano Galliani, vice-presidente esecutivo, al telefono, è stato ancora più perentorio: «Trattasi di bufala. Fino al 30 giugno Ronaldo resta con noi».
IL COLLOQUIO
A scavare dietro la notizia brasiliana si ottengono però altri particolari del negoziato. «C’è stato un colloquio mesi fa tra Ronaldo e il presidente del Flamengo» lo spezzone fornito da Leonardo, assistente di Galliani e decisiva pedina per convincere Ronaldo un anno fa ad accettare le proposte dei rossoneri. Il colloquio dunque c’è stato, ma mesi fa. Se ne potrà riparlare a giugno quando il rapporto tra Ronie e il Milan si sarà inevitabilmente esaurito. Ronaldo ha chiesto un rinnovo preventivo al Milan, l’infortunio del 31 luglio ha frenato ogni iniziativa. Da gennaio, essendo a scadenza di contratto, può concludere pre-accordi con qualsiasi club.
LA ROTTURA
Il piano del Milan è definito in ogni suo aspetto. Ronaldo è atteso il 2 gennaio a Milano, viene dato in partenza per Dubai, sede della preparazione 2008, e accompagnato, senza entusiasmo né credito, verso l’ennesimo tentativo di recupero. Tra Yokohama e il derby si è consumato uno strappo clamoroso. Ronaldo ha sempre pensato - e la visita presso lo specialista di fiducia, dottor Runco, lo ha confermato - di essere vittima di un altro errore di diagnosi da parte dello staff sanitario rossonero. Il Milan, qui inteso come il presidente Berlusconi e il suo vice Galliani, hanno invece dato credito alla tesi di Meersseman: e cioè considerano Ronaldo alle prese con problemi psicologici, la paura di farsi male lo blocca. «Ho sempre un sogno nel cassetto: vedere insieme il trio Kakà-Pato-Ronaldo» la frase di Berlusconi ribadita più volte. Faranno l’ultimo tentativo da gennaio fino a giugno: se Ronaldo giocherà in modo stabile potrà contare su un rinnovo parziale di fiducia. Altrimenti a giugno chiusura del rapporto e amici come prima. Anche da Milanello, sul conto di Ronaldo, arrivano frasi e giudizi agrodolci. «Se Ronie vuole riprendersi deve lavorare sodo» suggerisce Gattuso. «Gli consiglio di andare a letto presto la sera» commenta esplicito Kakà. Non sono contenti del professionista, insomma.
DROGBA LA PISTA
Ronaldo via, il futuro del Milan ha un solo cognome: Drogba. Piace a tutti, società, allenatore, squadra. Sarà complicato il negoziato: l’interessato potrà agevolarlo, chiudendo col Chelsea per via del licenziamento di Mourinho.
***
From Il Giornale. Yes, that's the actual title of the article.
Everythinga bout Ronaldo but title is about Dida???
Blacktop
27-12-2007, 12:43
The proper title of the article appeared a couple hours later, during which Giornale's semiannual Dida-bashing column was posted.
goal.com; yet another section on Dida...
Milan Mid-Season Review: Tricky Times
To say it's been an up and down first half of the season for AC Milan is a bit of an understatement. Gil Gillespie charts the highs and lows of a yo-yo few months for the Rossineri.
zoom - galleria Terrible home form. Ronaldo's persistent injuries. The thrilling World Club Cup triumph in Tokyo. Smashing five past Sampdoria and Lazio away from home.
Losing to Empoli in the San Siro. Kaka picking up the golden ball award. Maldini announcing the date of his retirement. And some of the worst goalkeeping blunders ever seen on a football pitch. Milan's season so far is probably best described as being a bit schizophrenic.
When they were drawn against Arsenal in the Champions League the first comment most English pundits made was that Milan are an ageing team with a chronic lack of pace and are not the same side that lifted the trophy last season.
Actually, they are exactly the same side that won the competition in May. And exactly the same team that slowly and ruthlessly demolished a pumped-up Boca Juniors to become the first ever European team to win the World Club Cup.
True, they can be listless, pedestrian and predictable at times. But Carlo Ancelotti's side are also capable of beating any team in the world when it comes to the cut-throat 90-minute format of the cup. Arsenal, you have been warned.
Maybe Milan's stuttering form in Serie A is down to the famously ageing squad not having the stamina for the long haul of a whole season. That said, the average age of the current starting eleven is only 31.
Maybe its difficult too to lift your game for a run-of-the-mill clash in your domestic league when you've just been jetting around the globe picking up yet another piece of silverware for European football's most over-stuffed trophy cabinet.
Out of form players haven't helped the red-and-black cause either. Unbelievably, the Champions League's leading goal scorer of all time, Pippo Inzaghi, hasn't found the back of the net in Serie A since February.
Gilardino has struggled to 5 in 14 games. In midfield, Rino Gattuso hasn't had a great season by his exacting standards, nor have Seedorf or Oddo. Nesta, Maldini and Kaladze have done well by and large, but in-between the posts, disaster has loomed large.
Giant Brazilian clown Dida has cemented his reputation as the most accident prone goalkeeper in the world. He is the worst this writer has ever seen. Why? A pair of inflexibly hard hands mean his shot-stopping is abysmal, he is always pushing the ball back into the path of the strikers.
The movement of his feet on his line is slow and stumbling. He is now so unsure of his catching ability that he wont come for any crosses. And he falls with all the urgency of a tree-trunk when getting down to low shots.
It was Dida's two handling errors that cost Milan the game against Celtic at Parkhead. He cost them two points at lowly Siena. And, most recently, he effectively handed rivals Inter the title by going for a little walk in the wrong direction as Cambiasso shot on goal.
In the last three or four seasons, Dida must have cost Milan more than 20 matches in all competitions. And now, at last, Silvio Berlusconi has apparently had enough and looks set to replace him in the January transfer window if possible. Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa has been mentioned. The much-talked about deal for Sebastian Frey might have to wait until the summer.
There is nothing more unsettling for players than a goalkeeper they know they cant rely on. Dida's complete lack of confidence in his own ability must have had an effect on the whole side at times. If Ancelotti can begin 2008 with a more reassuring presence in goal, then he can begin to turn around the wild inconsistencies that have plagued Milan's season to date.
How will Milan do in the second half of the season? Probably a whole lot better. Lets not forget that Brazilian wonderkid, Pato ‘The Duck’ will be available from January and looks capable of really setting his new team on fire. Lo Scudetto is gone, of course, but don’t rule out another Champions League win.
ACMILAN1983
29-12-2007, 16:30
To be honest I found that article ridiculous, mostly because of the way the writer spoke of Dida (an overreaction to say the least)
I agree; the reaction on Dida is totally, totally awful. Gilardino, if not other players, should also be blamed for their inconsistency at home.
Capo Ultra
29-12-2007, 20:12
Here is an interesting article about our financial situation. It's a bit old (from 30. April 2007), but still relevant.
Il Milan ringrazia Shevchenko per l'utile 2006
La società rossonera deve anche alla sua appartenenza alla galassia Fininvest (da cui è posseduto al 99,93%) se riesce a ottenere lauti contratti di diritti tv: una strapotenza contro cui nessuna società di serie A può competere, eccezion fatta per Inter e Juventus.
Il Milan deve ringraziare Andrij Shevchenko (nella foto) e il patron russo del Chelsea, Roman Abramovich, se ha chiuso l’esercizio al 31 dicembre 2006 con un utile di 2,48 milioni di euro, contro un passivo di 4,58 milioni registrato nel 2005. Ma deve anche alla sua appartenenza alla galassia Fininvest (da cui è posseduto al 99,93%) se riesce a ottenere lauti contratti di diritti tv: una strapotenza contro cui nessuna società di serie A può competere (eccezion fatta per Inter e Juventus) e che riesce a far superare al club rossonero qualsiasi problema economico-finanziario.
Tra questi ultimi, l’enorme squilibrio debiti-crediti per oltre 220 milioni di euro, in crescita del 40% rispetto al bilancio alla fine del 2005. Ad ogni modo, se il Milan avesse chiuso in perdita anche l’ultimo esercizio non costituirebbe un problema per le casse del gruppo berlusconiano: il Milan, come evidenziato dal documento contabile, fa parte del consolidato fiscale Fininvest: per questo motivo la società chiude dal 2005 gli esercizi al 31 dicembre, in modo da collimare con quelli della controllante. Quest’ultima utilizzerà l’eventuale perdita fiscale della società rossonera ottenendo un beneficio tributario pari a circa il 33% rappresentato dall’Ires.
Ma torniamo all’attaccante ucraino, che fu al centro la scorsa estate di futili polemiche riguardo alle motivazioni della sua cessione. Proprio la vendita al Chelsea ha fatto conseguire alle casse rossonere una plusvalenza di 42,03 milioni. Stando al prospetto delle cessioni pubblicato nella nota integrativa milanista, il suo valore contabile, al netto degli ammortamenti, era di 1,85 milioni, mentre il prezzo pagato dalla società londinese del magnate petrolifero Abramovich è stato di 43,88 milioni. Ma la cessione di un calciatore, seppure di livello internazionale, è un fatto straordinario che non rientra nell’ordinaria gestione: inoltre, sono ben poche le società in Europa ad avere la disponibilità economica del Chelsea.
Senza la plusvalenza su Shevchenko, il bilancio si sarebbe concluso con un risultato prima delle imposte negativo per 18,53 milioni. La differenza positiva rispetto al valore di libro del calciatore ucraino è reale. Invece, quella pari a 183,7 milioni evidenziata nel bilancio 2005, riguardante il conferimento alla sua controllata al 100% Milan Entertainment dei marchi rossoneri, ricalca da vicino lo schema del “contratto con se stesso” visto in occasione dell’operazione similare compiuta dall’Inter (si legga http://qn.quotidiano.net/conti_del_pallone_2007/2007/04/27/1797-inter_2006_profondo_rosso.shtml) che per legge è nullo. Il ricavato di questa operazione è servito a ripianare gli oltre 181 milioni residui provenienti dall’eliminazione della legge 27 del 2003 detta “spalmadebiti”, rinvenienti nell’esercizio 2005.
Il Milan ha comunicato anche un utile consolidato di gruppo pari a 11,8 milioni. Tuttavia, questa cifra è solo accademica poiché, come si è stato scritto a pagina 38 del bilancio dal vicepresidente vicario e amministratore delegato, Adriano Galliani, la società "è esonerata dal redigere un proprio bilancio consolidato ai sensi dell’art. 27, 3° comma, D.Lgs. 127/91". E a proposito di amministratori, il cda del Milan è stato confermato in blocco il 27 aprile scorso nell’assemblea di approvazione del bilancio 2006: restano quindi in carica tra i big rossoneri, oltre a Galliani, il presidente Silvio Berlusconi, i vice presidenti Paolo Berlusconi e Gianni Nardi, i consiglieri Leandro Cantamessa, Francesco Formenton Mondadori e Paolo Ligresti. Stando al rendiconto 2006 e a quello precedente, l’ammontare complessivo dei compensi per i 12 consiglieri è aumentato da 1,71 a 2,05 milioni, pari a un incremento del 19,70%. Anche se non è stata comunicata la cifra singola per ciascun componente, si può tranquillamente affermare che è molto redditizio essere consigliere di amministrazione rossonero.
IL “VIZIETTO” SALVACONTO
Restando sempre in tema di plusvalenze calciatori, si nota nel conto economico che esse ammontano a 44,8 milioni e sono state inserite tra i ricavi. Anche il Milan partecipa al “vizietto” evidenziato già con Inter, Catania, Parma e Napoli. Il club berlusconiano fa presente nella nota integrativa che "le voci di conto economico sono state riclassificate in ossequio a quanto disposto dal Comunicato Ufficiale della Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio n. 58, pubblicato in data 5 settembre 2006". In quest’ultimo, scivolato nel silenzio generale, il commissario straordinario Guido Rossi ha approvato, quattordici giorni prima delle sue dimissioni, la revisione dei criteri della stesura dei bilanci: in essa sono state inserite le plusvalenze e le minusvalenze da calciatori nel conto economico. Parafrasando una celebre espressione del grande uomo politico inglese William Gladstone, la plusvalenza è stata "eretta a sistema di governo".
Peccato che ciò confligga con quanto stabilito dal Codice Civile: la vendita di un bene, com’è appunto la cessione di un calciatore (che è classificato sia dal Codice che dalla disposizione Figc tra le immobilizzazioni), deve essere iscritta tra le componenti straordinarie. Anche i 4,4 milioni di minusvalenze, al contrario del dettato legislativo, sono state inserite tra i costi ordinari. Com’è stato per le altre società le differenze risultano notevoli. Inserendo plusvalenze e minusvalenze la differenza tra il valore e i costi della produzione risulta positiva per 31,5 milioni. Invece escludendole secondo la stesura del Codice, il risultato risulta negativo per 8,9 milioni: quindi, la gestione ordinaria è in perdita.
GRAZIE MEDIASET
Ricalcolando il fatturato secondo il Codice, esso è pari a 248,3 milioni (+7,53% rispetto al 2005). In esso si nota innanzitutto il calo dei ricavi da gare in casa (- 4,83%, e da abbonamenti (- 8,28%) calati di oltre 1,11 milioni. In discesa del 3,36% le entrate da sponsorizzazioni ammontate a 29,7 milioni: tra le principali si segnalano i 5 milioni di BetandWin, i 12,66 milioni versati da Adidas "per l’acquisto del diritto ad apporre il proprio marchio sulle divise da gioco ufficiali"sino al 30 giugno 2010 e i 4,5 milioni del gold sponsor Pagine Gialle. Nella voce “sponsorizzazioni” sono anche inclusi circa 3 milioni versati da sponsor istituzionali (tra essi il colosso bancario IntesaSanpaolo), partner commerciali e fornitori tecnici e ufficiali: in quest’ultima categoria, secondo quanto illustrato sul sito internet del Milan (http://www.acmilan.com/InfoPage.aspx?id=13430), c’è anche “La Gazzetta dello Sport”. Il primo quotidiano sportivo italiano è anche fornitore ufficiale dell’Inter (si veda il sito http://www.inter.it/aas/sponsor/home?L=it).
In caduta libera (-75%) è la voce “proventi commerciali e royalties” ammontata ad appena 4,04 milioni, che si riferisce all’attività di merchandising e licencing, in particolare con Adidas. Questa raffica di segni negativi è stata compensata dalle voci relative ai diritti tv, ammontati a 127,99 milioni (+30,33%), a quelli della partecipazione alla Champions League (27,78 milioni, +12,98%) e dai ricavi vari (12 milioni, +38,07%) riguardanti per 8,96 milioni "proventi derivanti dai riaddebiti operati nei confronti di Milan Entertainment".
I proventi televisivi per il campionato e del Trofeo Berlusconi si riferiscono per 90,82 milioni ai contratti stipulati con Sky per la sola cessione dei diritti: a questa cifra bisogna aggiungere 2,1 milioni del premio riconosciuto dall’emittente satellitare al Milan per il secondo posto ottenuto in campionato, prima del processo sportivo che l’ha penalizzata di 30 punti portandola al quarto posto. Il riconoscimento è stato oggetto di trattative con Inter e Roma che hanno avanzato la posizione in classifica.
Ma non è finita qui: ci sono 33,76 milioni provenienti da gruppo Mediaset, di cui 27 milioni derivanti dal diritto di opzione per la stagione 2009/10 previsto nel contratto stipulato nel febbraio 2006. Si tratta di un primo congruo anticipo da parte di una delle principali società del gruppo Fininvest, poiché nella stessa data è stato firmato un contratto per le stagioni 2007/08 e 2008/09 "per la cessione dei diritti televisivi in chiaro e/o a pagamento e/o accesso condizionato in qualsiasi forma o qualsiasi modalità"per "un complessivo ammontare pari a euro 198 milioni"che sarà contabilizzato negli esercizi di competenza. Davvero un bel “tesoretto”, che le maggior parte delle squadre del campionato di A non possono usufruire: non a caso i risconti passivi (anticipo di ricavi futuri), riguardanti principalmente la fatturazione anticipata dei diritti tv per le partite a San Siro per la stagione 2006/07 e di alcuni contratti commerciali, si è dimezzato da 66,66 a 32,84 milioni.
Con il fiume di danari freschi proveniente da Mediaset c’è decisamente meno bisogno di ottenere somme in acconto. Piccola osservazione: se il Milan fa parte di un gruppo dov’è presente la principale società televisiva privata, ossia Mediaset, che bisogno ha di stipulare contratti con diritti di opzione con essa? E’ improbabile che l’amministratore delegato Galliani stipuli una simile scrittura con un concorrente.
LIEVITAZIONE DEI COSTI
Nel 2006 spese del Milan sono lievitate rispetto al 2005 dell’1,24% a 257,2 milioni. Ciò nonostante il calo del monte salari e stipendi dell’8,35%, passato da 141,19 a 129,41 milioni. I compensi contrattuali ai calciatori (la cui rosa è aumentata da 47 a 53) sono diminuiti da 117,26 a 109,29 milioni: è stata tagliata anche la quota variabile legata ai risultati sportivi da 8,55 a 7,24 milioni. Quest’ultima "si riferisce principalmente ai premi relativi ai passaggi – si legge nella nota integrativa – di turno Champions League e al raggiungimento del secondo posto nel campionato 2005/2006, in quanto la società ha voluto premiare l’effettivo risultato ottenuto sul campo". Sono stati inoltre drasticamente tagliati gli emolumenti agli altri dipendenti da 9,34 a 5,32 milioni. Curiosamente sono invece aumentate le retribuzioni per gli allenatori, che assieme agli altri tecnici sono 38 (in precedenza 32), da 5,22 a 5,76 milioni.
L’incremento complessivo dei costi è stato causato dal +30,82% (47,08 milioni) e dal +28,59% (14,07 milioni) rispettivamente per i “servizi” e per gli “altri oneri diversi di gestione”. Nella prima voce, si evidenzia l’esplosione dei costi specifici tecnici da 4,95 a 9,02 milioni: essi "sono composti da consulenze tecnico-sportive prestate in fase di acquisizione dei calciatori e da costi per l’osservazione dei calciatori". Oltre a ciò "l’importo comprende inoltre i costi connessi a transazioni di contratti derivanti dalla campagna trasferimenti".
Insomma, i procuratori e gli osservatori sono ben retribuiti dal Milan. Hanno fatto boom, con un incremento di 9,9 milioni, anche i “servizi vari da società controllate” che hanno raggiunto i 13,80 milioni: essi si riferiscono al "contratto di servizi stipulato tra l’Ac Milan e la Milan Entertainment in forza della quale la stessa rende alla controllante Ac Milan i servizi commerciali, marketing e vendite, i servizi di gestione e amministrazione del personale, i servizi gestione stadio, i servizi amministrativi e quelli logistici".
La società rossonera spiega che "l’incremento dei costi contabilizzato nell’anno 2006, è dovuto al fatto che si riferisce a dodici mesi di attività operativa, rapportati ai soli tre mesi dell’esercizio 2005". Ciò non toglie il fatto che, se il Milan ha ottenuto una significativa plusvalenza con la cessione dei marchi alla Milan Entertainment, i costi annuali per i servizi da essa resi dovrebbero mantenersi su livelli abbastanza sostenuti e occupare una parte di rilievo sul totale. La stessa società controllata ha pesato per 8,96 milioni, pari al 63,66% del totale di oltre 14 milioni, nella voce “altri oneri diversi di gestione” per "oneri derivanti da riaddebiti per competenze".
Di minimo rilievo l’incremento (+2,63%) delle spese per gli ammortamenti, pari a 25,77 milioni, quasi interamente composte da quelle per i diritti alle prestazioni dei calciatori.
QUANTI DEBITI!
Se il Milan non avesse alle spalle la solida potenza del gruppo Fininvest, i suoi oltre 289,70 milioni di debiti costituirebbero un macigno come quello di Sisifo. Per giunta, l’importo è in crescita del 19,06% rispetto al 2005: inoltre, gli oltre 248 milioni di ricavi non riescono a coprire tutta l’esposizione. Spicca su tutti la cifra dovuta alle banche pari a 95,7 milioni (+7,5%). Seguono i 36,54 milioni verso gli altri finanziatori (+8,41%): si riferiscono "a debiti verso società di factoring per anticipazioni di crediti futuri in riferimento a contratti di natura commerciale". Il Milan possiede una forte esposizione di circa 43 milioni con le controllate, di cui ben 38,32 milioni verso la solita Milan Entertainment: quest’ultimo deriva "dall’attività di tesoreria svolta da Ac Milan formalizzata nel maggio 2006 attraverso un contratto di conto corrente finanziario di corrispondenza intercompany". La società rossonera ha anche un debito di 4,42 milioni con Fininvest, in crescita dai 3,64 milioni dell’anno precedente: la controllante deve anche ricevere altri 11 milioni per finanziamenti a titolo oneroso. Non mancano anche le somme arretrate dovute al fisco, pari a 19,82 milioni, in aumento del 15,78%. Sono costituiti per 13,45 milioni da debiti per Irpef: nella nota integrativa la società spiega che "il debito nei confronti dell’Erario per le ritenute Irpef maturate su stipendi è stato regolarmente saldato alle scadenze previste".
Il Milan possedeva al 31 dicembre scorso debiti per 33,92 milioni (29,55 nel 2005) con società di calcio. La cifra si compone di 15,63 milioni relativi al "saldo della campagna trasferimenti 2006/2007 al 31 dicembre 2006 ed il residuo"con la Lega Calcio. Gli altri 14,68 milioni si riferiscono al debito verso al Real Betis per l’acquisto di Ricardo Oliveira e per quello con il Rennes per l’acquisizione di Yohann Gurcouff.
E a proposito di calciatori, nel bilancio è evidenziato un ulteriore consistente “fardello” di 22,93 milioni, in crescita dai precedenti 21,69, di debiti verso fornitori. Il Milan non specifica quali siano: in questa cifra potrebbero essere compresi anche eventuali somme dovute dai procuratori sportivi.
Infine, la società aveva anche ulteriori debiti per 13,78 milioni, per la quasi totalità verso tesserati. Nella nota integrativa si sottolinea che "il debito verso tesserati da riferimento a mensilità regolarmente pagate nei mesi di gennaio e febbraio 2007 e a risoluzioni contrattuali aventi scadenze rispettate regolarmente secondo quanto stabilito da ogni contratto".
di Marco Liguori
From quotidiano.net.
http://qn.quotidiano.net/conti_del_pallone_2007/2007/06/25/9009-milan_ringrazia_shevchenko.shtml
A translation will be helpful lol :); what's the gist of the article?
Blacktop
29-12-2007, 22:08
That's the first e-book I've ever read. :)
To get this back on track:
source: www.uefa.com
Milan pin hopes on Pato
Wednesday 9 January 2008Focus by Paolo Menicucci from Milan
Milan have high hopes for Pato (©AFP)He may have done little other than train since joining AC Milan in the summer, but already expectations on Brazilian wonderkid Pato are sky high. "If [Pato] continues to do what he does in training he will get 30 goals by June," proclaimed Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, citing the words of coach Carlo Ancelotti and heightening anticipation ahead of the 18-year-old's competitive debut at home to SSC Napoli on Sunday.
Pressure
No pressure there then. For Milan, Pato's introduction cannot come soon enough. The 2007 UEFA Champions League winners are cast away in the lower reaches of Serie A. With just four wins all season they are closer to the relegation zone than a place in Europe. A return of 21 goals in 14 games speaks for itself and it says everything that Milan fans are having to pin their hopes on an untried 18-year-old to bring a moribund domestic season to life.
Clamour
The clamour for Pato is even greater than when Kaká joined the club in 2003 and unprecedented for a player without star stature. The major reason for that is how long Rossoneri fans have been waiting to see the Brazilian wonderkid in action. Pato, whose names translates as duck, joined the European champions from SC Internacional in August for around €15m after catching the eye with a series of brilliant performances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup when he scored three times in four matches. He was ineligible to play for Milan during the first part of the season, however, because of rules preventing Italian teams from registering non-EU players before they turn 18. Pato celebrated his 18th birthday on 2 September by which time the transfer market and date for registering new players was closed. After four months on the sidelines, finally the waiting game is over.
Confidence
Milan fans' appetites were whetted when Pato powered in a header in a friendly against FC Dynamo Kyiv in September. Ancelotti has compared him to former Brazil and SSC Napoli striker Careca and as expected of any hyped-up youngster out of Brazil, Pato is blessed with prodigious skill and array of tricks. Add to that the pace capable of unsettling any defence and power in the air to match and Milan look to have another game-winner on their hands. Most impressive of all, perhaps, is his confidence and he will need every bit of it to deal with the pressure placed on his young shoulders. Should that remain in tact after a tough welcome to the European game by Serie A's defences, the Rossoneri will have substance to back up the hype.
'Shocked'
"I watched a few videotapes of him and I was impressed, almost shocked with his talent," Berlusconi said. "I had the same feeling when I watched the videotape of [Marco] van Basten before we signed him. I dream of a Milan side with Kakà, Pato and Ronaldo in attack." Many believe Pato could follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Kaká, including the Ballon d'Or winner himself. "He is very impressive, he has great quality, and he will become a crucial player for this team," Kaká said. "I'm very glad to stay close to him and help him adapt to Italian football." If Pato fulfils just half Milan's expectations, their hopes of becoming the first team to defend the UEFA Champions League title could well come to fruition.
***
I think it will be very interesting to kind of summarize all the commentaries on Milan (that we can find together) and see who gets it right and who doesn't... who is overly critical and who is too generous in their comment.
THis piece by UEFA will certainly be one that we will reflect upon by the end of the season. J
zakakhan
11-01-2008, 01:37
PATO SET FOR MILAN BOW
All eyes will be on Alexandre Pato this weekend when the youngster makes his AC Milan debut against Napoli.
The 18-year-old will play his first official game for the Rossoneri on Sunday as Carlo Ancelotti's side look to put to an end their winless run at the San Siro this season.
The Brazilian forward joined Milan from Internacional in August but as he was only 17 years old at the time, Milan were not allowed to register him in the Italian league.
Milan captain Paolo Maldini has already anticipated that the South American prodigy will be a hit in Serie A.
"He is technically very strong and has a physical strength that at 18 is impressive," said Maldini.
Ancelotti's men go into this weekend's encounter looking to reduce an 11-point gap to fourth-place Udinese - although Milan do have three games in hand.
More importantly, the Rossoneri are eager to give an improved display in front of their home fans.
"The fact that we haven't won at the San Siro since April 21 is unbelievable," admitted Maldini.
Serie A leaders Internazionale make the journey to Siena looking to extend their seven-point advantage over Scudetto hopefuls Roma.
Inter will be without David Suazo, Patrick Vieira, Dejan Stankovic and Luis Figo for the encounter due to injury.
"They are all doing their best to return to play as soon as possible," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini of the quartet.
Roma will face a stern challenge when they travel to Bergamo to meet Gigi Del Neri's Atalanta, who have only lost once at home this campaign.
The good news for coach Roma Luciano Spalletti is that his captain, Francesco Totti, has shaken off a foot injury and will be available to play.
A slip by the Giallorossi would see third-placed Juventus leapfrog the Romans in the standings should Claudio Ranieri's men triumph at Catania.
Udinese will be eager to maintain the fine form they showed in 2007 when they meet rock-bottom Cagliari.
The Bianconeri hold the last Champions League qualifying spot but will be under pressure to take all three points with Fiorentina in close attendance.
La Viola travel to Parma looking to clinch their first win on their travels since November 3.
Elsewhere, Sampdoria play host to Palermo eager to collect their second triumph at home this season, and struggling Lazio host Genoa.
In other games, Torino entertain Livorno while Reggina travel to Empoli knowing that a win would see them climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of their opponents.
AC Milan's visit to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening could mark the end of an era, yet World Player of the Year Kaka is refusing to accept the sands of time have caught up with the reigning European champions.
AlbertoPizzoli/GettyImages
Kaka: A shining light in Milan's midfield
The Rossonieri's Champions League triumph last May was a surprise success for a side who have long been viewed as more than a little past their sell-buy date, though there now seems to be tangible evidence that Athens 2007 was the final hurrah for a team who has struggled to recapture any semblance of their best form this season.
Veteran performers such as Paolo Maldini and Cafu have stumbled their way through a difficult few months for Milan, with the critics quick to claim their veteran status is the chief factor in their decline.
Out of the Serie A title race many months ago, coach Carlo Ancelotti is tipped by most pundits to be replaced for the start of next season and his exit would doubtless lead to a restructuring of a club whose consistency has been their most impressive quality over the course of the last decade.
Despite the weight of evidence suggesting Milan are a team in terminal decline, Kaka believes they have one final surge within them to see off an Arsenal side whose vibrant exuberance has led many to suggest they will step into the void left by Milan should they drop out of Europe's elite in the near future.
However, Kaka insists experience counts for more than promise and ahead of a last-16 tie that could see a Barak Obama-style wind of change sweeping through the Europe's established elite clubs.
'Even though a lot of critics seem to be keen to write Milan off, the time to do that has not yet arrived,' begins Kaka. 'They say we are an old team and that we have lost our desire, but only last May we beat Liverpool to become European champions. Have we become so poor overnight? I don't think so.
'We had a slow start to the season and couldn't find any home wins, though football is all about cycles. You can hit a winning streak just as easily as a depressing run. Anyway, we've put our problems behind us.
'Since winning the World Club Championship, which was one of our main aims of the season, we've found our feet in Serie A and suddenly we're firing on all cylinders again. After falling down the table, we're very much on the up now. Qualification for the Champions League is the goal, galvanising us, and I see no reason why we shouldn't achieve it.
'Personally, I have certainly not lost my determination to win trophies. Last season's Champions League title makes no difference as I want more. Playing in a winning team is the supreme motivation and we cannot live on past glories. It's impossible. Look at Ronaldinho. His many achievements have not prevented him being criticised at Barcelona.
'Naturally, we are not thrilled to see our rivals Inter running away with the scudetto, but we can take great heart from the fact that Milan tend to be in peak condition when the spring comes along, when the winners of competitions are decided. No one should ever minimise our chances on any field of play.
'Our whole team has rediscovered its equilibrium lately and we are a side on a mission. We've got our confidence and our momentum back, qualities that are essential in football.'
His words represent a stout defence of a team whose have struggled to find many admirers this season and while AC Milan would have favourites to beat Arsenal at most points in recent years, the shifting balance of power suggests Arsene Wenger's Premier League leaders have an outstanding chance to claim a prize scalp this time around.
AdrianDennis/GettyImages
Cesc Fabregas is highly rated by Kaka
In Kaka's mind, this is the nightmare draw for his team and his respect for Arsenal seems to be complete. 'I'd say Arsenal is the toughest possible draw for us,' admits the Brazilian.
'They are one of the form teams in Europe at the moment, are very well placed to win the Premier League, full of confidence and crucially, they play great football. For a Brazilian like me, they represent the right way to approach the game.
'They play with so much style and adventure. They like to take the initiative and play free flowing football. They are on the whole a young team, but it's obvious there's a lot of maturity and mental toughness in the side too. We've noticed they often score late in a game. That's proof enough of their spirit.'
Kaka's tribute to Arsenal boss Wenger is equally gushing, with his suggestion that the world's finest young talent now have an ambition to play for Arsenal a sign that the Gunners' influence is growing at a pace around Europe.
'Many, many young players from all over the world want to play for Arsenal now,' he believes. 'It's a good reputation to have and that's down to Arsene Wenger. He has impeccable judgement as far as talent spotting goes and doesn't fear putting his faith in youth.
'He knows they may initially make rookie mistakes but as long as they learn quickly, he is happy. You just have to look at the progress their young players have made this season to realise he has something very special going at Arsenal.
'They are competing with two of the most powerful clubs in Europe in the Premier League and no one would have given them too much chance of winning just a few weeks ago. Now they have a real chance and deserve to be respected by everyone.'
In a game that will be littered with high quality personal duels, the contest between Kaka and Arsenal talisman Cesc Fabregas is likely to be a key tussle and the AC Milan man is relishing the prospect.
'I like their central defenders William Gallas and Kolo Toure, while Emmanuel Adebayor seems to be able to do everything up front, but it's clear that the one who really makes it all happen for them is Fabregas,' he adds.
'He already has extraordinary football experience and technical ability. He is a fiery competitor too. It goes without saying we will have to ensure he is not a big influence on this tie. I look forward to trying to match him in this game.'
Kaka's status as the world's greatest player may not be on the line this Wednesday night in North London, but AC Milan's reputation as an enduring major player in the European game might just be.
source: soccernet.com
all Rubbish, Milan will certainly win... ;)
From ESPN:
It was a moment that could just have changed the order of European football's elite.
GettyImages
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor holds off Alessandro Nesta.
With a matter of seconds remaining in a fascinating and captivating Champions League last-sixteen tie at the Emirates Stadium, Emmanuel Adebayor loped towards a cross and wearily thrust himself at a chance that looked certain to yield a dramatic winning goal.
Off balance he may have been, yet after 93 and a half minutes of high quality toil, this was Arsenal's chance to confirm they were ready to beat a major superpower and claim their place among the game's giants. It was to be heartache and not celebration that followed.
As Adebayor collapsed onto the turf behind the goal after heading his effort off the crossbar, he knew the significance of the chance he had missed; and while Arsenal will dream of a famous victory at the San Siro in the return leg, you suspect the key moment in this tie had just passed Arsene Wenger's men by.
Like an Olympic sprinter who false starts in the 100m final or the Superbowl quarter-back who fluffs his chance to throw the winning touchdown pass with second remaining, Adebayor had blown his moment to burst the Milan bubble and fill Arsenal's with enough air to carry them towards the Champions League quarter-finals.
If this joyous Arsenal side were to confirm they were ready to claim their place among Europe's superpowers, this was the occasion for them to make their mark and try as they might in the opening 45 minutes at a misty and vibrant Emirates Stadium, they fail to break down the sturdy Milan door.
Arsene Wenger's vision of football is that of an art performed by maestros with a touch of fantasy in their hearts, yet Carlo Ancelotti and his Milan side have been mixing it in the real world for a little too long to allow opponents to provide such enchantment.
It meant we were presented with a first half that followed Ancelotti's script rather than Wenger's. Boring it was not, as two sets of hugely talented players displayed a range of passing and ball possession most footabllers could only dream about, yet the clear cut chances and genuine excitement in front of goal was lacking.
While Milan can take the bulk of the blame for stifling the excitement, Arsenal's policy of employing just one striker, in Emmanuel Adebayor, was playing into the Italian's hands. With Eduardo employed in a supporting role on the left side and Alex Hleb in a similarly attacking position on the right, Wenger clearly believed his attack minded side would find a way to untangle the Milan web, but they failed to break through.
Indeed, by the time they reached the half hour point, long balls to Adebayor were becoming a regular line of attack and even though the big Togo striker was a handful throughout, there was always a spare defender for Milan to rely upon as they targeted the draw they shamelessly craved.
For their part, Milan also started with a lone forward in Alexandre Pato, with the irrepressible Kaka charged with the task of supporting when best he could; yet the European champions had not come to London aiming to win any beauty contests. Their chief aim was to stop Arsenal and as they walked off for the half-time break, their plan was being clinically executed.
Watching a game of this quality on television doesn't always do it justice and watching the off the ball movement of Arsenal was a sight to behold.
The inventive Emmanuel Eboue went close to finding an opener as the game began to open up and then Adebayor was denied the opening goal by a lineman's flag; yet you got the feeling the ageing Milan defence would eventually crack as Eduardo was the next to go close as he fired a shot over the bar.
It seemed as if the Arsenal pressure was beginning to tell, yet Milan are masters of puncturing the ambition of untested upstarts such as this and as the game moved into its final quarter, their ability to hang onto the ball and frustrate an opponent became evident once again.
In the end, they held off their opponents with a certain degree of ease and while this was only the first half of Ancelotti's game plan, Arsenal still have to prove they have what it takes to turn potential into glory. Often overplaying when in good positions around the box and failing to snap up the fleeting chances they created, Wenger was forced to accept his side had surrendered any initiative.
'Milan will start as favourites for the second leg,' conceded the Arsenal boss. 'However, we can overcome this situation and the pressure we put on them throughout this game will count for something in the next game. They will remember the quality of our play tonight and if we had taken our chances, we would have won.
'A game of this quality deserved a goal and I don't believe the miss by Adebayor in the final few seconds will prove to be crucial. We were a little nervous in the final third tonight and may have rushed some of the chances we created, but we will have a great chance in the second leg. I just hope the poor state of the San Siro pitch doesn't play a decisive role.'
A glance at the Milan bench suggested the Italians have a squad to trump Arsenal as Wenger was forced to fall back on a bunch of untested kids, with Ancelotti opting to leave out the likes of Filipo Inzaghi, Alberto Gilardino and Emerson. Therein lies the strength of a side who have won this competition compared to one still striving to reach such a goal and two-time Champions League winning boss was delighted with his evening's work.
GettyImages
Milan's veteran defender Paolo Maldini holds off the threat of Alex Hleb.
'We arrived at this match in not perfect conditions and some of our players were not at their best, but we hope that will change in 15 days time,' said Ancelotti, who started with a few star names at less 100% full fitness. 'I think Arsenal played a very good game and proved everything we know about them. They have great players, great quality and a lot of determination.
'The qualification is still in doubt for us. This is a good result, but we are not safe for the return match. There is still everything to play for and we face a tough task in the second leg. I'm sure Arsenal will show great quality in the return leg and must improve our own physical condition in the next 15 days.'
Arsenal still have a chance to spare Adebayor some blushes after a glaring miss that will haunt him for a long time should it prove crucial. You suspect Milan will make him pay for the error of his ways.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Phillipe Senderos
This may be a controversial choice, but the big Swiss centre-back is loathed by many Arsenal fans and deserves more than a little credit for a stunning display after replacing the injured Kolo Toure early in this game. He barely put a foot wrong.
FOOD WATCH: Chicken in breadcrumbs with pasta and potatoes. It was hardly a combination a gourmet chef would have put together, but all three aspects tasted fine on their own.
TOTTI WATCH: The great Roma striker may not have been present at the Emirates Stadium, yet the stale old English hacks who normally frequent this press room were delighted by the number of female Italian reporters lighting up their dull lives. There was more glamour in this press room than any England has seen for many a year.
ARSENAL VERDICT: Most experts have long viewed Arsene Wenger's men as surprise Premier League frontrunners who would fall away in due course, yet they are proving to be genuine title contenders in their domestic competition. Yet on the evidence of this evening, they are not quite yet ready to oust the best in Europe.
Milan Lab’s Secret of Youth
By Simon Kuper
AC Milan’s very old men are sauntering around a training pitch in the hills near Lake Como. A grey man in a blue suit and blue trenchcoat gazes down at them, smoking a cigarette. Surely this smoker can’t be the head of football’s best medical team? But it is. Jean Pierre Meersseman, Belgian director of the Milan Lab, may have discovered the secret of eternal youth. His Lab has helped make Milan world and European champions. On Tuesday, in the Champions League’s second round, Milan defend their title against Arsenal’s kids.
“As a matter of fact,” chuckles Meersseman when we sit down, “yesterday we had a game, and the average age was 33. We have the oldest team in Europe.” He singles out Milan’s eternal captain, Paolo Maldini. “He’s close to being 40, and whenever he was running against that kid playing against him yesterday, he was much stronger. He’s close to perfect.”
What is the maximum age for a top-class footballer? “I think around 40. It used to be 34 at most.” Again, that soft chuckle. The Milan Lab began in 2002. Milan had just spent €30m in transfer fees and salary to sign Real Madrid’s Fernando Redondo. Redondo’s body appeared perfect. Then it collapsed. Milan resolved never to waste €30m again. The Lab was created to reduce injuries.
“If you can predict the possibility of injuries,” says Meersseman, “you stop the player before.” The Lab discovered that just by studying a player’s jump, it could predict with 70 per cent accuracy whether he would get injured. It went on from there, collecting millions of data on each player on computers. Meersseman says: “The extent of non-traumatic injuries has been reduced by over 90 per cent, compared with the previous five years. So that’s interesting. We have 92 per cent less medication than in the previous years.” Sadly, days after we spoke, Milan’s forward Ronaldo suffered the injury that may end his career.
When Milan buys players, is the Lab consulted? “You bet you,” says Meersseman. “The last signature on the contract before the big boss signs is mine. On many occasions I said no, and I would say every” – he pauses – “yes, every time, the player did not do very well afterwards.”
Why might he veto a player? “Basically alterations in their gait mechanisms, how they jump. But we did sign some players when everybody said: ‘You can’t do it, he’s at the very end.’ I can give you a name: Cafu. That was five years ago. He’s still here. Because we saw the problem could be fixed.” Having vanquished injuries, the Lab turned to perfecting Milan’s players. As each player was different, each needed a different regime. Clarence Seedorf, for instance, was banned from exercising certain muscles as they were already at the desired maximum. The Lab now thinks this “sensory perception” is the key quality in football.
After meeting Meersseman I visited Daniele Tognaccini, Milan’s chief athletics coach, who is tall, slim and fairly superhuman himself. Tognaccini told me that the average Milan player ran 10 to 11 kilometres a game. Who ran most? Kaká, Rino Gattuso and Cafu, replied Tognaccini. He laughed: “Ronaldo, no.”
But, he added, there was no correlation between running kilometres and winning matches. “There is a correlation between the number of sprints and winning.” Before leaving the Lab converted, I asked Meersseman whether other big clubs did anything similar. “No.”
Why not? It seems a good idea. Meersseman smiled: “It seems a good idea. You can drive a car without a dashboard, without any information, and that’s what’s happening in soccer. There are excellent drivers, excellent cars, but if you have your dashboard, it just makes it easier. I wonder why people don’t want more information.”
Did other clubs ask him for advice? “Oh yes.” And what did he say? “That they should do it.” The Lab’s methods are secret. Ask Tognaccini to explain a certain machine, and he says: “No.” Other clubs, said Meersseman, “fall back into the medical model. You see, that’s the problem. In medicine you are dealing with sickness. Here we are dealing with extremely healthy people.”
And the Lab has only just started. Its new partner Microsoft is improving the Lab’s software. Belgium’s University of Leuven is helping to perfect training. “Let me stop for a second and explain this better,” said Meersseman. “We are trying to make a system that may say: ‘Now you will run 100 metres. You will rest 43 seconds, then run 80 metres, stop for one minute two seconds, and then run 61 metres.’ We are trying to do this with predictive algorithms.”
Forget sharing information with other clubs. If the Lab sold its secrets to the world’s consumers, it would render face-lifts and wrinkle creams defunct. This could be the salvation of Italy’s economy.
source:FT.com-Sport
we should proud for that :proud:
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing. J
This is the most disgusting article I have recently seen:
Following the most impressive display by any team in this year's Champions League, Arsene Wenger's young Gunners are quite rightly being lauded for their magnificent display in the San Siro.
AP
Desolation row: Milan prepare to restart after Fabregas' goal all but ended the tie at San Siro.Arsenal's total team effort has been identified as the night a team matured, the game in which youthful potential and promise translated into a plaudit-worthy performance.
On the other side, another team also came of age before our eyes. However, there was little that was positive about this epiphany. AC Milan were a sad imitation of the side that, less than ten months previously, had been crowned European champions.
Inhibited by age and a lack of overall ability, the Rossoneri had no answer to their superior opponents and, as Arsenal's players danced in celebration on their pitch, they trooped out of the once almost-impenetrable Giuseppe Meazza stadium and into uncertainty.
The build-up to the premier tie of the first knock-out round had focused on youth versus experience. In the young corner was Arsenal's free-flowing game, based on high energy passing and movement while, in the old, was the pragmatic, tactically-based approach of patient Milan.
At the helm of both sides were two highly successful managers that had, in their own way, been able to consistently develop winning teams.
Arsenal's Wenger, with his commitment to youth, pitted his wits against Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, whose own style centred on moulding older players into his system of play.
Could Milan keep up with their younger opponents? The answer following the first leg goalless draw at the Emirates appeared to be yes, as Ancelotti's men left with what they came for. However, there was no panic from Arsenal. Not conceding at home in Europe is often more important than scoring yourself and so it would prove.
Thirteen nights later, Milan simply had no answer to Arsenal, for whom the final score was richly deserved.
That the goals came late was immaterial and only served to prove the point that, no, Milan did not have what it took to keep up with them. Indeed, had the Gunners not been so profligate in front of goal earlier in the game, the tie could have been over much sooner.
AP
Maldini: Footballiing life ends at 40, after 8 European Cup Finals.The warning signs have been there for some time for Milan. Though they lifted the trophy last season, theirs was a flawed campaign, in which nothing came easy.
Struggles against Celtic and Bayern Munich were overcome before Manchester United took the first leg of the semi-final. Of course, back home, the Rossoneri rolled to a 3-0 win that, at the time, seemed to lay to rest any suggestions that the team was past it. Victory over Liverpool arguably rubber-stamped that theory.
However, Rafael Benitez's side was in control of the final until Pippo Inzaghi struck twice. The warning signs were there and the decay that was evident continued into the new season. Defeat to Celtic in the group stage was a further shot across the bows for a Milan side that, at the same time, was struggling to compete in Serie A, partly due to fixture congestion that resulted from their participation in the World Club Championship.
Despite the indications that not all in the Milan garden was rosy, however, until Tuesday night they remained almost unbeatable at home in Europe. In keeping with the case of many a crumbling empire, their homeland was the last to fall. As Arsenal stormed Milan's castle in the space of ninety minutes, a group that had long been known as an experienced, wily bunch of veterans became old and past it.
In the official first-team squad that Milan submitted to UEFA for the tie, eighteen of the 28 players named were thirty years or older. Ancelotti selected eight of them in his staring line-up for the second leg. Three other thirty-somethings, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldo and Dida, missed out through injury.
It was perhaps due to their experience that Milan were able to paper over the cracks for so long against Arsenal. Remarkably, until the statuesque Zeljko Kalac failed to deal with a shot from Cesc Fabregas that was eminently saveable, Milan were just one goal away from progressing.
On the whole, however, there was no question that Arsenal were worthy victors, having instigated a tactical game plan to which Ancelotti and his side had no answer. As Milan chairman Silvio Berlusconi lamented, Wenger's side simply would not give the hosts the ball. When they did, Milan had few ideas as to what to do with it.
AP
Ancelotti: End of the road for his tactics and his tenure.Alongside the veterans, completing Milan's first XI were its creative heartbeats, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo and Pato, the 18-year-old wunderkind. Though, on this night, they were stifled, the trio's class remains and it is around them that the next great Milan side must be built, for the time has come to overhaul the current group.
The question of who gets to build the new and improved Milan team will be the elephant in the club's boardroom for the months to come.
As he admitted on Tuesday, Ancelotti's job now is to get Milan up to fourth place in Serie A to ensure they play Champions League football next season.
It is a stark reality of the club's modest short-term ambition and will likely be the final act of the current manager.
Having won, among other trophies, two Champions League titles and a league championship since taking charge in 2001, Ancelotti has pulled Milan out of the depths into which the club was plunged by the likes of Alberto Zaccheroni, Cesare Maldini and Fatih Terim.
His current contract lasts until 2010 but the chances that Ancelotti lasts beyond the summer seem increasingly slim.
The whispers of potential successors, a list that is sure to be headlined by Frank Rijkaard and José Mourinho, are set to get louder and louder.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Ancelotti admitted: 'I don't think we could have done anything more tonight'. That resigned statement, above everything else that has taken place in recent weeks, should signify the need for a major self-evaluation on the red and black side of the San Siro.
With a manager out of excuses for a team out of gas, the immediate future looks bleak for the seven-time European champions.
***
Why disgusting? I have already mentioned it somewhere, and I"ll say it again here:
It's not only disgusting to criticize a team AFTER the result but also STUPID to do that. There is one quote which I forgot, which mainly says that a boy with hindsight is smarter than the Presidents who make future decision.
This article will remind us all here how just so useless these pundits are, that they are nothing short of a scum of the soccer world.
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing. J
you are welcome Jeff.
i think many of us confuse about Maldini.should he stays or not.my heart is also confuse.as the half is wants him to stay and the other wants rejuvenation in Milan :pp18: :
Should Maldini Continue Playing?
The word ‘legend’ is used far too often in football nowadays, but there is not one person on the planet who will disagree when this term is used to describe Paolo Maldini.
Over a thousand official games, the record appearance-maker in Serie A and for the Italy national team, seven Scudetti, five Champions Leagues – the statistics go on-and-on.
This longevity at the very top, which spans almost a quarter-of-a-century, is truly phenomenal; it defies the laws of physics, and is incomparable in the modern game.
Maldini had of course announced that he would be finally hanging up his boots at the end of the season. However his brilliant form, particularly in the last couple of months, has led him to reconsider.
“I still have plenty of energy and I guess we have to stick to our words, but those who do not change ideas just because they have said so are stupid,” Maldini stated.
“In the last few months my knees have been really painful and last year at the end of the season I couldn’t even bend them.
“Deep down inside there is a big will to continue, that’s just the way I am. No one is the same and the environment is pushing me to play on for another year.
“Three months ago I was much worse as I had to stop because of the operation but now I am feeling fine and I am playing in a position which I haven’t played in for a long time.”
However would it be a wise decision for Maldini to continue playing?
On the plus side is the fact that the 39-year-old has proved that he is still, despite his age, a brilliant defender. This was verified conclusively during both legs of the recent Champions League defeat to Arsenal, when Maldini was his side’s best player, along with Alessandro Nesta.
After the game at San Siro, Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor hailed Maldini as “world-class”, while pundits and journalists throughout the world all showered him with praise. These superlatives were by no means sentimental or influenced by the fact that Maldini had apparently just played his last-ever European game. They were thoroughly deserved.
If Maldini can continue to perform like this next season, then many people will say, why shouldn’t he carry on for another year? After all, he is the symbol of Milan, and his influence on the rest of the players at the club can only be a positive one.
Others will argue that Maldini risks ruining his legacy if he postpones his retirement.
The defender has a very legitimate claim as the greatest Italian footballer of all-time, if not the best defender in the history of the game. His chances of earning this status would surely be boosted if he bowed out with everyone remembering him for the legend that he is.
Last year Maldini had the perfect chance to end his career on the most glorious of notes when he lifted the Champions League in Athens. He decided to continue for another year, and many believed this was a mistake.
Despite Milan’s struggles this campaign, this hasn’t proved to be the case, and indeed Maldini has only further immortalised himself by continuing to perform brilliantly in his fortieth year.
Could next year be one too many though?
Some great footballers have ruined their legacy by going on for too long. Lothar Matthaus possibly comes closer than anyone to matching Maldini’s longevity at the top of European football, and the ex-Inter and Bayern Munich man had an international career lasting 20 years.
The former midfielder played for Germany at Euro 2000 at the age of 39, but everyone will remember how he was run ragged in defence, particularly in the game with Romania when a 35-year-old Gheorghe Hagi roasted him time and again. Of course Matthaus will always be remembered as one of the legends of the game, but whenever his name is mentioned I will always recall how he was humiliated at Euro 2000.
Other sportsmen have met the same fate. Roy Jones Jr is regarded as one of the best pound-to-pound boxers of all time, but he has ruined his legacy by continuing to fight into his late thirties, and thus losing to opponents that he would have beaten easily in his prime.
source:goal.com
Warro Bantan
20-05-2008, 13:58
Thought this was a good read...not about Milan per se, but its Seedorf´s view on the final:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=537241&root=uefachampionsleague&cc=5739&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1
Jeff...let me know if you think its in the wrong place! :D
Would be nice of me to do a review of the article posted here. Will do so later this week.
Warro: Definitely related, and I'm putting it here:
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf plays for reigning European Champions AC Milan and is the only player to win Europe's most prestigious competition with three different clubs: Ajax (1995), Real Madrid (1998), and AC Milan (2003, 2007).
SandraBehne/GettyImages
Clarence Seedorf runs off with the UCL trophy in 2007
• ESPN TV listings
The 32-year-old Holland international is in Moscow as part of ESPN's superb broadcast coverage of the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea and is fully qualified to give us the low-down on UEFA's showpiece event.
Speaking to ESPNsoccernet from the Luzhniki Stadium, as groundstaff worked to prepare the pitch for Wednesday night, Seedorf gave us his guide to the Champions League final:
Soccernet:There have been concerns about the state of the pitch, do you think it could make a real difference to the final?
Seedorf: If the pitch is not good it will definitely make a difference, especially for Manchester.
But I think it will be good tomorrow, it seems like it is going to rain. They just gave it some water and the teams will play and train on it today so that will also help to improve the state of the field. Tomorrow hopefully it will be a good pitch and it seems like it is possible.
There are two English teams in the final; we have had all Spanish and all Italian finals before. Do you think the final loses something when it is between two teams from the same country?
No, no absolutely not. They are not playing in their own countries first of all. The atmosphere and the tension is just totally different. You're talking still about great teams. With Chelsea and Manchester both here it is great for such a final.
I don't know, maybe the public would like to see an English and a Spanish team or an English and an Italian team. But this is good.
Why do you think Premier League sides are becoming dominant in Europe?
The reason that they are really performing better is because there has been a shift in the mentality - because of the investors. Foreign investors have taken over the clubs and have changed the management of the clubs and changed the mentality of the clubs. The players and the coaches are more international.
So they have changed really the whole approach and you can see the results over the past three years... I think two times three English teams are in the semi final. It is not a surprise for me that it is happening. From my point of view, and just from a business point of view, they are managing the clubs better than anybody else at this moment.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has suffered a lot of criticism but he has still got his team to their first ever Champions League final. What do you make of him?
I haven't worked with him. A lot of coaches are criticised based on results so if it's for the results he cannot be criticised of course. How he is as a manager, how he treats the players and how he is as a coach, that is another thing.
With Real Madrid, when I won [the Champions League] under Jupp Heynckes in 1998, after the final they changed the coach because of other reasons, not because of the results. But I am not the right person of course to talk about the coach of Chelsea.
On the other bench is the old master himself, Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been at the same club for 22 years. What do you think is the secret of his longevity?
First of all he is a very good manager. A good people manager especially. He is someone who has links with the club from the business management point of view and from the technical point of view. He is that link between the club and the players and that makes a difference.
He really is an example of what I think is the future of coaches: having the head coach and then having the job done on the field by another coach. So it is not a big surprise that he has managed that way and that people love him and he has brought the results to Manchester. Over the last 15-years he has entered into two finals of the Champions League and that is quite impressive.
What do you think are the key strengths of his Manchester United team? And of Grant's Chelsea team?
United's strength is their game - good possession. Their strikers are fantastic of course: Tevez, Ronaldo and Rooney. Great midfield, good defenders: Evra and Ferdinand. They are very complete, they have quality players and that is what their game is about - craft plays, individual plays by Tevez or Ronaldo.
YuriKadobnov/GettyImages
Manchester United train on the newly laid grass pitch in Moscow
But it is all going to really depend on how, in the close space they are going to have against Chelsea, they can manage to create space to be able to do the one against one with the defenders.
Chelsea has a great defence. They make the pitch very short and that is going to be the difficulty for Manchester. And then the counter attack of Chelsea, with Didier Drogba up front and with Michael Ballack in support - this is going to be the difficult part for Manchester to cope with.
United have a young side, apart from Van Der Sar, Giggs and Scholes, who are still proving themselves, whereas Chelsea have bought ready-made players who have already achieved. Do you think this will have any effect on the final?
That will definitely have an effect. Experience in a final is very important but also conviction is important: of your own strength, your game and being capable of coping with the tension that the game brings. Of course the more experienced you are the better you can cope with it.
That is not a guarantee but Chelsea definitely has a lot of experience. Maybe not at that club level but playing finals at the World Cup with the national teams, such as Ballack, Makelele. Two examples that can make the difference.
Where do you think the game will be won and lost? Will it be a moment of genius from a star player?
Well it is always like that, the final. I expect a similar game as we saw from Manchester and Chelsea in the [Premier League] competition really. Chelsea are going to wait for the moment and Manchester are going to try and create the moment. We will see if they can succeed.
You have played in plenty of finals yourself what makes the Champions League so special for players?
They are the best players and the best teams in Europe and let's say most of them also in the world. It's the best competition in the world and also the hardest in the world so everybody dreams about playing in the final.
You have famously won Champions League titles with three different clubs, from Spain, Italy and Holland. Any plans for a fourth with an English club?
[Laughs] Well the English competition is very attractive and I always say 'never say never'; but at this moment I still have a contract with AC Milan until 2011.
But I would love to play in England. At this moment it is not possible
If you were the manager of either team tomorrow what would you say to them before they went out to play the final?
Well to go out and enjoy it. It's a special moment. It can be the first and the last final in which you play. Help each other as a group and be a team because that is going to make the difference at the end.
And finally, what is your prediction for the game? Who will win?
My prediction is... that both really can win. [laughs].
The reason I give for Chelsea is that it is their first time in the final and maybe destiny is picking.
On the other side I see that Manchester has been ruling the game over the last few years in this competition and they would most probably deserve it over Chelsea from that point of view.
I really think we have to wait for the game tomorrow.
****
insidefutbol
30-08-2008, 15:22
What is a Good Season for AC Milan?
Tom Oldfield
The red and black half of Milan had little to cheer about last season. As Inter held on to lift another Scudetto title, AC Milan could only look back on a miserable campaign. Hopes had been high – after all, they were the defending European Champions. But the team flattered to deceive, making a woeful start in Serie A and suffering a second round exit at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League.
Inconsistency was the biggest problem as the Rossoneri quickly found themselves well adrift of the Champions League places with some feeble early season displays, particularly in front of their own supporters. A late surge in the latter part of the season gave Milan hope of salvaging something from the campaign but Fiorentina held on for fourth spot, consigning Carlo Ancelotti’s men to a UEFA Cup place. You could hear the Inter fans laughing all over the city.
Speculation mounted, suggesting that major changes were imminent at Milan. Portuguese Jose Mourinho – who ended up taking charge at Inter – was rumoured to be replacing Ancelotti while young re-enforcements were expected to invigorate an aging squad. But these ideas never came to fruition. Milan were unable to compete with the financial power of the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid and their fans saw less transfer activity over the summer than they might have liked.
However, the arrival of Ronaldinho from Barcelona provided a boost, as did the signing of former Juventus defender Gianluca Zambrotta. Neither are the youthful new faces that had been expected but both certainly strengthen the Milan side.
And so, as the Serie A season begins, the question is: can the Rossoneri make amends for their below-par 2007/08 campaign with a return to winning ways?
What they are aiming to achieve:
At AC Milan in recent years it has been clear that the Champions League is the most sought after trophy. The players seem to raise their game for big European nights, regardless of their Serie A struggles. Although they will not have the opportunity to grace the biggest European stage this season, they will be determined to secure UEFA Cup glory.
Furthermore, challenging their title rivals in Serie A is a must. Milan have been off the pace domestically for several seasons now and need to find their consistency of old to secure a return to the Champions League for 2009/10. Seeing Inter dominate the table and Juventus and Roma make major progress has been bitterly disappointing for all Milan fans and a serious title challenge is vitally important. It is just not good enough to expect to turn up for big European nights and click into top gear when league form has been poor. Milan must use momentum from Serie A displays to aid their European challenge.
And winning a trophy would provide a fitting finale for club legend Paolo Maldini. Maldini was due to retire at the end of the 2007/08 season but has extended his contract and everyone at the club would love to give him the perfect send-off. The Italian is not alone, though, in approaching the latter stages of his career and several players have the added motivation of knowing that they do not have many more years at the highest level.
How likely are these aims?
Much will depend on Ronaldinho. Milan have turned to the Brazilian in the hope that he and fellow Samba stars Kaka and Pato can fire the Rossoneri back into trophy contention alongside the returning Andriy Shevchenko. But is Ronaldinho ready to shine again? Or is he a star in decline? Can he and Kaka, who remains a Milan player despite interest from Chelsea, co-exist in attacking roles? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered.
Ronaldinho may provide the extra creativity that Milan desperately need if they are to recapture the Scudetto and lift the UEFA Cup. Visiting sides tend to set up defensively at the San Siro, making it tough for the home team to unlock stubborn defences. The former Barcelona man could be the difference.
However, if Ronaldinho is not a huge success, it is hard to see Milan making huge improvements on last season. The teams around them have strengthened in the right areas and their own squad has not been drastically altered. Also, the defence and midfield still appear to lack a youthful presence.
That is not to say that these areas are weaknesses and, if Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso find their best form and stay injury-free, Milan will fancy their chances against anyone. Making a bright start will be crucial and, if Ronaldinho and co. can do this, a trophy is very attainable in the 2008/09 season.
Expectations of fans & boardroom:
High expectations come with the territory at Milan, just like at all the big clubs in Europe. The board have been patient with Ancelotti but will want that faith rewarded with a fruitful campaign. That means winning major prizes this season. Another trophyless year would surely lead to an overhaul of the playing and coaching staff.
The fans are desperate to forget last season and focus on the possibilities that lie ahead. Excitement has been generated by Ronaldinho’s arrival and hopes of lifting trophies are high.
As well as picking up some silverware, the Milan supporters have the additional target of silencing the jubilant Inter fans who have had the bragging rights in Serie A for the past few years. Managing this would make the success all the sweeter.
Source: http://www.insidefutbol.com/2008/08/30/what-is-a-good-season-for-ac-milan/
Let me know if this is the wrong place for this.
From time to time, I do think that goal.com has some nice commentary. This is one of those that I think has been written fantastically (and a way for me to revive the thread :):
http://goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/05/07/1251450/cl-special-there-is-no-barcelona-chelsea-conspiracy-guus
CL Special: There Is No Barcelona-Chelsea Conspiracy - Guus Hiddink's Korea 2002 Hypocrisy
The referee for Chelsea's Barcelona tie might have been stupid, but he certainly wasn’t shady - and it belies belief that Hiddink, considering his past at the 2002 World Cup, should perpetuate the idea of a campaign against his side, writes Goal.com's Carlo Garganese...
7 May 2009 18:00:57
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Guus Hiddink in defiant mood during Chelsea's 0-0 home draw with Everton (PA)
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“When people say it's all very suspicious then I get rather angry,” roared Guus Hiddink on June 23, 2002.
“Italy and Spain should look at themselves and their shortcomings rather than the referee’s.
“It's easy to go on blaming referees or linesmen. Of course they make mistakes, but coaches make mistakes, players make mistakes, and the press make mistakes. They go for you and against you.”
If you haven’t already worked it out, this was then South Korea coach Hiddink’s angry response following widespread claims that there had been a conspiracy at the 2002 World Cup to send his co-hosts through at the expense of Italy, Spain and, to a lesser extent, Portugal.
The 2002 World Cup has gone down in footballing infamy, and indeed the majority of supporters in Italy and Spain refuse to even acknowledge that tournament’s legality. The Azzurri had five perfectly good goals disallowed in three games for non-existent offsides, while they were eliminated by Hiddink’s Korea in the second round after an extra time Golden Goal. During that clash, Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno awarded Korea a questionable penalty, harshly sent off Francesco Totti for diving, and disallowed a good Damiano Tommasi Golden Goal. Spain were the next victims of Korea in the quarter final, losing on penalties after they had had two legitimate strikes chalked off.
Fast forward seven years to May 6, 2009. Hiddink, now interim manager of Chelsea, had just been denied a place in the Champions League final following a dramatic injury time equaliser by Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta in West London.
In the post-match interview, Hiddink, referring to five penalty claims that were turned down by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, clearly implied on both English and Italian television that there may have been a sinister plot by those in positions of power.
“I won't say what we really feel, but it's an injustice. It's not just one doubtful call. Ask the people who put the referee in charge of this game,” the Dutchman moaned to Sky Sports.
“When all these things happen, then you start thinking,” he added to Sky Italia.
I know what I'm thinking Guus, and it is not conspiracy, but hypocrisy. The regularity and enormity of the events at the 2002 World Cup were more than enough to form a conspiracy theory, yet Hiddink shrugged them off as Italian and Spanish sour grapes. What took place last night at Stamford Bridge was just plain bad officiating that penalised both sides in equal measure.
Of the five incidents that Chelsea have complained about, only one was a penalty – the clear handball by Gerard Pique. Dani Alves’ obstruction on Florent Malouda may have been inside the area, but obstruction is only a penalty offence when it is really serious, and this was not. The same can be said for Eric Abidal’s slight pull of Didier Drogba’s shirt before half time, which preceded a one second delay before the Ivorian catapulted himself onto the floor like he’d caught the plague.
In the episode involving Drogba and Yaya Toure on 56 minutes, both players were wrestling each other, and even if Kolo’s younger brother did draw back the Chelsea hitman, it was well outside the area. When the two players entered the box, Toure won the ball with a fair tackle. Finally, regarding Michael Ballack’s last-gasp appeal against Samuel Eto’o, the Cameroonian may have had his arm higher than usual, but it was clearly ball-to-hand (the very top of his arm and back), while he also had his back turned. FIFA’s ‘Laws of the Game’ are crystal clear on this.
It is amusing that Chelsea have conveniently overlooked the fact that Abidal was wrongly red carded on 65 minutes for a ‘professional foul’ when Anelka had tripped over his own feet. This forced Barcelona to chase the last 25 minutes of the game with just 10 men. As a result the space opened up for Chelsea on the counter-attack, and it was only after this dismissal that the stonewall Pique penalty incident occurred. It is also peculiar how Chelsea have discarded the performance of referee Wolfgang Stark in the first leg at Camp Nou. During that game, Stark waved away an excellent Thierry Henry penalty shout, failed to send off Michael Ballack, and also harshly booked Carles Puyol, forcing Barcelona to start a left back at centre back, and a centre midfielder at left back last night.
Over the course of the two ties, the appalling refereeing decisions evened themselves out. Had Iniesta not scored that late goal, it would have been Barcelona doing the complaining, just like they did after the first leg when coach Pep Guardiola sniped that “referees need to take a look at themselves”, and Eto’o sarcastically shrugged that “you’d have to ask the referee about his controversial performance.”
The red card of Abidal would have killed many lesser sides, but not Barcelona, who actually continued to dominate possession despite being a man short. Hiddink may have chosen the right tactics against Barcelona over two legs, and Chelsea are undoubtedly unlucky to go out (just as they were last year when they deserved to win the title), but it must also be recognised just how negative the Blues were in both legs. It was Catenaccio stuff that would have had Helenio Herrera dancing around in his grave.
When Hiddink’s Australia were defeated by Italy in the second round of the 2006 World Cup, the Dutchman remarked after the game, “We tried to play another style, a style that is more attractive for the spectators to see. The Italians wanted to play defensively, they love to play with a wall - they don’t think about attractive football, they just think about the result.”
Like your Chelsea side in both legs against Barca, you mean? There was no conspiracy Guus last night, but there sure was an absurd amount of hypocrisy.
What are your views on this topic? Was there a conspiracy last night, or is Guus Hiddink just being hypocritical? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think.
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
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