AC Milan Vice-President Galliani: Leonardo Refused To Sign Mahamadou Diarra
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed that the club had the chance to sign defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra from Real Madrid this summer, but that coach Leonardo felt it would have been an unnecessary expenditure.
"There was a chance to take Diarra from Real Madrid, but Leonardo told us that we were already OK in midfield," he said, according to Goal.com Italia.
The 28-year-old was widely expected to depart the Bernabeu this summer after the arrival of Xabi Alonso, but has remained at the club after being sidelined for a majority of last season with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, he also discussed left-back Aly Cissokho, who nearly joined the club this summer from Porto before failing a medical due to a dental problem.
"The excellent performance of Cissokho at Lyon shows that we were right [to try and sign him]."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's almost as if he wants to rub salt into the wounds of his own fans..
AC Milan general spiel
Moderator: p_maldini_3
by Dejan-Stankovic » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm
-
Dejan-Stankovic 
- Posts: 2483
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:34 pm
by RomaShield27 » Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:44 pm
-
RomaShield27 
- Posts: 13281
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:58 am
- Location: Ireland
- Blog: View Blog (2)
by RomaShield27 » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:09 am
VAN BASTEN BAFFLED BY PRUDENT MILAN
Marco van Basten predicts AC Milan will face an arduous season after failing to strengthen their team with big signings this summer. The Rossoneri made just four additions in the transfer market in pre-season with the arrivals of Thiago Silva from Fluminense, Oguchi Onyewu from Standard Liege, Flavio Roma from Monaco and Klaas Jan Huntelaar from Real Madrid.
"I must admit I was surprised by (AC Milan owner Silvio) Berlusconi's (transfer) policy," said Van Basten to Corriere dello Sport. The former AC Milan great played an exhibition game for charity on Monday night at the San Siro as former Rossoneri players beat Real Madrid veterans 2-0.
Milan fans have been left disappointed with the lack of reinforcements the team has made this summer. The departure of long-time coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea at the end of last season and the sale of star player Kaka to Real Madrid was a further blow for the Rossoneri faithful.
"I remember that Milan ruled the market 20 years ago," said Van Basten. "The truth is that if you don't buy, improving the squad becomes difficult. "If the club does not go back to spending, it's difficult to remain competitive. "Juventus and Inter Milan have spent much more in the market than AC Milan."
Under new coach Leonardo, Milan won their opening Serie A game 2-1 at Siena but were humiliated 4-0 by city neighbours Inter Milan in the last round.
Van Basten believes Leonardo should not be blamed for the Rossoneri's failure to win titles this campaign. "I don't know what will happen in the future," said the former Ajax coach. "But, if Leonardo does not win, it will not be his fault."
Marco van Basten predicts AC Milan will face an arduous season after failing to strengthen their team with big signings this summer. The Rossoneri made just four additions in the transfer market in pre-season with the arrivals of Thiago Silva from Fluminense, Oguchi Onyewu from Standard Liege, Flavio Roma from Monaco and Klaas Jan Huntelaar from Real Madrid.
"I must admit I was surprised by (AC Milan owner Silvio) Berlusconi's (transfer) policy," said Van Basten to Corriere dello Sport. The former AC Milan great played an exhibition game for charity on Monday night at the San Siro as former Rossoneri players beat Real Madrid veterans 2-0.
Milan fans have been left disappointed with the lack of reinforcements the team has made this summer. The departure of long-time coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea at the end of last season and the sale of star player Kaka to Real Madrid was a further blow for the Rossoneri faithful.
"I remember that Milan ruled the market 20 years ago," said Van Basten. "The truth is that if you don't buy, improving the squad becomes difficult. "If the club does not go back to spending, it's difficult to remain competitive. "Juventus and Inter Milan have spent much more in the market than AC Milan."
Under new coach Leonardo, Milan won their opening Serie A game 2-1 at Siena but were humiliated 4-0 by city neighbours Inter Milan in the last round.
Van Basten believes Leonardo should not be blamed for the Rossoneri's failure to win titles this campaign. "I don't know what will happen in the future," said the former Ajax coach. "But, if Leonardo does not win, it will not be his fault."
-
RomaShield27 - Posts: 13281
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:58 am
- Location: Ireland
- Blog: View Blog (2)
by RomaShield27 » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:36 pm
Milan off-colour at Livorno
The Rossoneri failed to impress at the Picchi stadium and could only manage a draw. The only excitement came from a Pirlo free-kick that hit the crossbar. Huntelaar played for less than an hour and was replaced by Inzaghi: Ronaldinho played poorly as well
LIVORNO, 12 September 2009 - To only start really playing after an hour, and even then not that well, is not a great idea if you want to improve your position in the standings. Milan were held to a draw at Livorno, a 0-0 that reflected the poor quality of the match, and of the Rossoneri in particular. On the other hand, the Tuscans had no plans of putting on a football show, relying instead on their grit. They only had one cause for concern from Leonardo's men: a free-kick from Pirlo that hit the crossbar. Not enough. Especially considering the rest of the team: almost entirely less than adequate, particularly the attack. It was no coincidence that it was completely changed around after less than an hour.
CANDREVA OR "CADREVA"?  The fact that Milan's best player in the first half was Flamini is an indication that all was not well. Nothing against the Frenchman, but he is more of a destructive player than a constructive one, so it was obvious that the Rossoneri had problems. They were faced by a Livorno full of determination and running, a side that never threw the ball away and that let Candreva direct their play. He had energy and creativity: and what's more he took very good free-kicks, forcing Storari into a couple of shaky parries with his fists. It's a shame the name on his jersey was written incorrectly as "Cadreva": a Tuscan typo.
LUCARELLI SQUANDERS  Livorno had grit and energy certainly, but not a lot of skill in front of goal. Lucarelli had two clear chances, almost identical in fact, from corners. Milan's defence was (not) playing a zone defence against him, and Cristiano had all the time in the world to take aim. But his header was off target, in both cases. Old cracks reappeared: the Rossoneri's lack of attention in dead ball situations, and on the other hand, up front they were often nowhere to be seen.
LITTLE LIGHT  Ronaldinho was a ghost, Pato was in hiding, while Huntelaar at least made an effort. He was the only player to engage De Lucia, twice: once with a weak header, and then with a low left-footer. They lacked a playmaker, and it showed. Pirlo might have been the answer, but the Brescia native stayed on the bench until 56'. Seedorf, theoretically his replacement, like the others never got out of first gear.
BETTER WITH PIRLO  On 56', Pirlo came on for Ronaldinho. And Inzaghi joined him in place of Huntelaar. A revolutionised attack for Leonardo, who pinned his hopes on the freshness of the new players. And it was the national team's playmaker who almost immediately had an impact when he hit the crossbar with a free-kick. Livorno were runnning out of steam, the midfielders were not running as hard (as you would expect) and Ambrosini and Flamini's forays forward increased. But the introduction of two defensive players like Filippini and Bergvold into the mix was enough to restore the Tuscans' energy to an acceptable level.
TIDY LIVORNO  Milan's resurgence, in other words, was short-lived. Inzaghi had a good chance, supplied by Pato, but shot straight at the rushing De Lucia: paradoxically, the move came from a counter-attack. At the end there was room for Abate to come on for Milan, but it was not easy for him to make an impact. Because Livorno shut up shop very tidily, without raising the barricades. The draw was a fair result, one which rewarded the Tuscans and left a bitter taste in the Rossoneri's mouths.
Alessandro Ruta
The Rossoneri failed to impress at the Picchi stadium and could only manage a draw. The only excitement came from a Pirlo free-kick that hit the crossbar. Huntelaar played for less than an hour and was replaced by Inzaghi: Ronaldinho played poorly as well
LIVORNO, 12 September 2009 - To only start really playing after an hour, and even then not that well, is not a great idea if you want to improve your position in the standings. Milan were held to a draw at Livorno, a 0-0 that reflected the poor quality of the match, and of the Rossoneri in particular. On the other hand, the Tuscans had no plans of putting on a football show, relying instead on their grit. They only had one cause for concern from Leonardo's men: a free-kick from Pirlo that hit the crossbar. Not enough. Especially considering the rest of the team: almost entirely less than adequate, particularly the attack. It was no coincidence that it was completely changed around after less than an hour.
CANDREVA OR "CADREVA"?  The fact that Milan's best player in the first half was Flamini is an indication that all was not well. Nothing against the Frenchman, but he is more of a destructive player than a constructive one, so it was obvious that the Rossoneri had problems. They were faced by a Livorno full of determination and running, a side that never threw the ball away and that let Candreva direct their play. He had energy and creativity: and what's more he took very good free-kicks, forcing Storari into a couple of shaky parries with his fists. It's a shame the name on his jersey was written incorrectly as "Cadreva": a Tuscan typo.
LUCARELLI SQUANDERS  Livorno had grit and energy certainly, but not a lot of skill in front of goal. Lucarelli had two clear chances, almost identical in fact, from corners. Milan's defence was (not) playing a zone defence against him, and Cristiano had all the time in the world to take aim. But his header was off target, in both cases. Old cracks reappeared: the Rossoneri's lack of attention in dead ball situations, and on the other hand, up front they were often nowhere to be seen.
LITTLE LIGHT  Ronaldinho was a ghost, Pato was in hiding, while Huntelaar at least made an effort. He was the only player to engage De Lucia, twice: once with a weak header, and then with a low left-footer. They lacked a playmaker, and it showed. Pirlo might have been the answer, but the Brescia native stayed on the bench until 56'. Seedorf, theoretically his replacement, like the others never got out of first gear.
BETTER WITH PIRLO  On 56', Pirlo came on for Ronaldinho. And Inzaghi joined him in place of Huntelaar. A revolutionised attack for Leonardo, who pinned his hopes on the freshness of the new players. And it was the national team's playmaker who almost immediately had an impact when he hit the crossbar with a free-kick. Livorno were runnning out of steam, the midfielders were not running as hard (as you would expect) and Ambrosini and Flamini's forays forward increased. But the introduction of two defensive players like Filippini and Bergvold into the mix was enough to restore the Tuscans' energy to an acceptable level.
TIDY LIVORNO  Milan's resurgence, in other words, was short-lived. Inzaghi had a good chance, supplied by Pato, but shot straight at the rushing De Lucia: paradoxically, the move came from a counter-attack. At the end there was room for Abate to come on for Milan, but it was not easy for him to make an impact. Because Livorno shut up shop very tidily, without raising the barricades. The draw was a fair result, one which rewarded the Tuscans and left a bitter taste in the Rossoneri's mouths.
Alessandro Ruta
-
RomaShield27 - Posts: 13281
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:58 am
- Location: Ireland
- Blog: View Blog (2)
by San Paolo » Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:05 pm
When the fixture list for the new Serie A season was drawn up, barring the week two derby clash against Inter, it seemed that new Milan coach Leonardo had been presented with the dream set of opponents in order to build confidence, momentum and a winning side. Siena, Livorno, Bologna, Udinese, Bari, Atalanta – not to mention two Champions League ties against Marseille and FC Zurich – looked like the perfect preparation before the season really exploded in October against the likes of Roma, Real Madrid, and then a few weeks later Fiorentina, Genoa, and Juventus.
As it has turned out, these early rounds have only served to crush Milan’s morale into the ground by highlighting just how weak and deficient they really are. A 4-0 thumping by Inter sandwiched a laborious 2-1 win at Siena and a dour 0-0 draw at Livorno on Saturday evening.
If Milan are struggling so desperately against Siena and Livorno – possibly the two favourites for relegation, especially after the latter sold the mercurial Alessandro Diamanti to West Ham – what hope do they seriously have this season?
Against the Amaranto, every defect in this current Milan squad reared its ugly head. The lack of pace throughout the team is so horrific that the term ‘counter-attack’ does not exist in the Milanello vocabulary. The time it takes for the Diavoli to move from one end of the pitch to the other is comparable to the time it takes for a hunchbacked old man with a zimmer frame to cross the road.
Is there a less mobile midfield in Serie A at the moment than Milan’s? Are there two worse full backs than Massimo Oddo and Marek Janukulovski? Is there a team as susceptible on set-pieces and crosses? Does there exist an individual who does as little as Ronaldinho, yet still occupies possibly the most important position in the line-up?
What is most worrying is that in these early stages of the season, Milan have almost had a clean bill of health. If the 2007 Champions League winners are labouring with virtually a full strength XI, what will happen once the inevitable injuries, suspensions and fatigue kicks in? Especially when you consider that seven or eight regular starters, and 15 of the first team squad, are over the age of 30.
These are truly worrying times, and it can be argued that this is the worst Milan team in over 25 years. Before Silvio Berlusconi signalled a new dawn in 1986, the Rossoneri were enduring one of the most depressing periods of their existence. After the enforced Totonero relegation in 1980, Milan returned to Serie B in 1982 after their worst season ever when they finished 14th.
Back then, just like now, the immediate future was not promising. In 1982, with the exception of Franco Baresi and Mauro Tassotti, there were no youngsters who signalled the start of better things. Today there is Alexandre Pato, Mathieu Flamini, Thiago Silva, and perhaps Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, while the remainder of the squad are mostly into their thirties and/or well past their best.
The one ray of light at the moment is the centre back link-up of Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta. It is of paramount importance that the duo stay fit and play as many games as possible together this season. If this occurs, Leonardo will at least be safe in the knowledge that not too much will get past the Brazilian and Italian.
With just three rounds gone in Serie A, the Rossoneri already find themselves well off the pace. Juventus, who top the table alongside Ligurian-duo Genoa and Sampdoria, have taken maximum points despite already travelling twice to the Eternal City to play Roma and Lazio.
As it has turned out, these early rounds have only served to crush Milan’s morale into the ground by highlighting just how weak and deficient they really are. A 4-0 thumping by Inter sandwiched a laborious 2-1 win at Siena and a dour 0-0 draw at Livorno on Saturday evening.
If Milan are struggling so desperately against Siena and Livorno – possibly the two favourites for relegation, especially after the latter sold the mercurial Alessandro Diamanti to West Ham – what hope do they seriously have this season?
Against the Amaranto, every defect in this current Milan squad reared its ugly head. The lack of pace throughout the team is so horrific that the term ‘counter-attack’ does not exist in the Milanello vocabulary. The time it takes for the Diavoli to move from one end of the pitch to the other is comparable to the time it takes for a hunchbacked old man with a zimmer frame to cross the road.
Is there a less mobile midfield in Serie A at the moment than Milan’s? Are there two worse full backs than Massimo Oddo and Marek Janukulovski? Is there a team as susceptible on set-pieces and crosses? Does there exist an individual who does as little as Ronaldinho, yet still occupies possibly the most important position in the line-up?
What is most worrying is that in these early stages of the season, Milan have almost had a clean bill of health. If the 2007 Champions League winners are labouring with virtually a full strength XI, what will happen once the inevitable injuries, suspensions and fatigue kicks in? Especially when you consider that seven or eight regular starters, and 15 of the first team squad, are over the age of 30.
These are truly worrying times, and it can be argued that this is the worst Milan team in over 25 years. Before Silvio Berlusconi signalled a new dawn in 1986, the Rossoneri were enduring one of the most depressing periods of their existence. After the enforced Totonero relegation in 1980, Milan returned to Serie B in 1982 after their worst season ever when they finished 14th.
Back then, just like now, the immediate future was not promising. In 1982, with the exception of Franco Baresi and Mauro Tassotti, there were no youngsters who signalled the start of better things. Today there is Alexandre Pato, Mathieu Flamini, Thiago Silva, and perhaps Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, while the remainder of the squad are mostly into their thirties and/or well past their best.
The one ray of light at the moment is the centre back link-up of Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta. It is of paramount importance that the duo stay fit and play as many games as possible together this season. If this occurs, Leonardo will at least be safe in the knowledge that not too much will get past the Brazilian and Italian.
With just three rounds gone in Serie A, the Rossoneri already find themselves well off the pace. Juventus, who top the table alongside Ligurian-duo Genoa and Sampdoria, have taken maximum points despite already travelling twice to the Eternal City to play Roma and Lazio.
Paolo Maldini
"Il Sogno di ogni attaccante e' segnare il piu' bella gol della storia. L'incubo e' incontrare il miglior difensore del mondo."
Francesco Totti
"Never give up Pippo,You are an example for all of us to never give up."
"Il Sogno di ogni attaccante e' segnare il piu' bella gol della storia. L'incubo e' incontrare il miglior difensore del mondo."
Francesco Totti
"Never give up Pippo,You are an example for all of us to never give up."
-
San Paolo 
- Posts: 4383
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:44 pm
- Location: Lille, Reims, Strasbourg, Basel, Toscalano Maderno, London & Dijon
- Blog: View Blog (1)
by vtec » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:52 am
-
vtec 
- Posts: 4947
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:09 am
- Location: France, Canada, wherever
- Blog: View Blog (1)
by vtec » Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:36 pm
-
vtec - Posts: 4947
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:09 am
- Location: France, Canada, wherever
- Blog: View Blog (1)
by p_maldini_3 » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:52 pm
Milan season ticket sales crash
Tuesday 22 September, 2009
Milan have sold just 25,984 season tickets this year, giving some indication of what the fans make of the club's ambition after a summer of austerity in the transfer market.
The number marks a massive 60 per cent drop compared with last year when 41,606 were sold following Ronaldinho's arrival in Milan.
La Gazzetta dello Sport believes the figure measures the true impact of Milan's decision to sell Kaka to Real Madrid earlier this year.
The other big losers were Napoli who saw season ticket sales fall by 17.6 per cent despite a busy summer in the transfer market.
Fiorentina also recorded a decline of 24 per cent, losing nearly 5000 season ticket holders.
Meanwhile, Inter appear to have the most loyal fan base in Serie A.
The Italian champions have already equalled last year's total of 40,000 season tickets sold and are still selling them as we write.
Juventus have also seen a rise in sales, which is largely thanks to a transfer campaign in which they strengthened their team across the board.
The Bianconeri registered an increase of 5.4 per cent, which translates as just over a 1000 more fans at the Olimpico this season.
The team that saw the biggest increase is Bari, whose season ticket sales are up 52.2 per cent
Tuesday 22 September, 2009
Milan have sold just 25,984 season tickets this year, giving some indication of what the fans make of the club's ambition after a summer of austerity in the transfer market.
The number marks a massive 60 per cent drop compared with last year when 41,606 were sold following Ronaldinho's arrival in Milan.
La Gazzetta dello Sport believes the figure measures the true impact of Milan's decision to sell Kaka to Real Madrid earlier this year.
The other big losers were Napoli who saw season ticket sales fall by 17.6 per cent despite a busy summer in the transfer market.
Fiorentina also recorded a decline of 24 per cent, losing nearly 5000 season ticket holders.
Meanwhile, Inter appear to have the most loyal fan base in Serie A.
The Italian champions have already equalled last year's total of 40,000 season tickets sold and are still selling them as we write.
Juventus have also seen a rise in sales, which is largely thanks to a transfer campaign in which they strengthened their team across the board.
The Bianconeri registered an increase of 5.4 per cent, which translates as just over a 1000 more fans at the Olimpico this season.
The team that saw the biggest increase is Bari, whose season ticket sales are up 52.2 per cent
-
p_maldini_3 
- Posts: 4191
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:13 am
by San Paolo » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:56 pm
so if we have a drop thats because we have failed to strengthen, Inter still sell them because they will expect to win Serie A this season and that Juve's fans are mercenry fuckers who are will only watching when they might be winning? right?
Paolo Maldini
"Il Sogno di ogni attaccante e' segnare il piu' bella gol della storia. L'incubo e' incontrare il miglior difensore del mondo."
Francesco Totti
"Never give up Pippo,You are an example for all of us to never give up."
"Il Sogno di ogni attaccante e' segnare il piu' bella gol della storia. L'incubo e' incontrare il miglior difensore del mondo."
Francesco Totti
"Never give up Pippo,You are an example for all of us to never give up."
-
San Paolo - Posts: 4383
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:44 pm
- Location: Lille, Reims, Strasbourg, Basel, Toscalano Maderno, London & Dijon
- Blog: View Blog (1)
by vtec » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:25 pm
the drop makes perfect sense. i know that the 24k who did buy seasons tickets are loyal fans, but perhaps they would be helping the club out more by not buying any either. it could perhaps force the sale of the club.
-
vtec - Posts: 4947
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:09 am
- Location: France, Canada, wherever
- Blog: View Blog (1)
by San Paolo » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:27 pm
in the end Berlu is a man of Business and if he is making a loss he will pull the plug no doubt.
Paolo Maldini
"Il Sogno di ogni attaccante e' segnare il piu' bella gol della storia. L'incubo e' incontrare il miglior difensore del mondo."
Francesco Totti
"Never give up Pippo,You are an example for all of us to never give up."
"Il Sogno di ogni attaccante e' segnare il piu' bella gol della storia. L'incubo e' incontrare il miglior difensore del mondo."
Francesco Totti
"Never give up Pippo,You are an example for all of us to never give up."
-
San Paolo - Posts: 4383
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:44 pm
- Location: Lille, Reims, Strasbourg, Basel, Toscalano Maderno, London & Dijon
- Blog: View Blog (1)
by RomaShield27 » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:24 pm
Milan sign Krasic?
http://www.football-italia.net/sep23e.html – Wednesday 23 September, 2009
Reports coming out of Russia suggest Milan have signed CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic for a fee of around £13.5m. The Serbia international, who plays on the right side of midfield, has apparently been proposed a three year contract worth just over £2m a season.
If, as reported, Krasic joins the Rossoneri in January, he will become the fifth signing of the post-Kaka era after Oguchi Onyewu, Gianmarco Zigoni, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Flavio Roma.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a very successful career with CSKA, winning the UEFA Cup, three Russian Premiershit titles and a hat trick of Russian Cups. He was also a member of the Serbia side that finished runners up at the European Under-21 Championship in 2007.
http://www.football-italia.net/sep23e.html – Wednesday 23 September, 2009
Reports coming out of Russia suggest Milan have signed CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic for a fee of around £13.5m. The Serbia international, who plays on the right side of midfield, has apparently been proposed a three year contract worth just over £2m a season.
If, as reported, Krasic joins the Rossoneri in January, he will become the fifth signing of the post-Kaka era after Oguchi Onyewu, Gianmarco Zigoni, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Flavio Roma.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a very successful career with CSKA, winning the UEFA Cup, three Russian Premiershit titles and a hat trick of Russian Cups. He was also a member of the Serbia side that finished runners up at the European Under-21 Championship in 2007.
-
RomaShield27 - Posts: 13281
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:58 am
- Location: Ireland
- Blog: View Blog (2)
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests