AC Milan general spiel

[p_maldini_3]

[San Paolo]

[RomaShield27]

[San Paolo]

[RobHood]

This is the first game, I thought, we played as a cohesive unit with each player doing exactly what was expected of them. The main plus points for me were the fullbacks especially in the first half; Zambro was huge and Antonini has improved as well. Pirlo finally wakes up and put in an immense performance along with Seedorf.
Like SP said, Leo deserves a bulk of the credit for turning what seemed like a hopeless season around.

[maro]

[San Paolo]

AC Milan made light work of Sampdoria yesterday as the Diavoli wrapped up an emphatic 3-0 victory inside 23 minutes to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter to four points.

A Marco Borriello headed effort from a pinpoint Ronaldinho cross opened the floodgates just two minutes in and the Neapolitan hitman has revealed the secret behind their rampant display.

“President Silvio Berlusconi made a surprise visit and we played like he wants us to,” Borriello told Sky Sport Italia.

“Boss Leonardo keeps putting faith in me and I owe him everything. We played a perfect game and I get along very well with Ronaldinho, [Alexandre] Pato and [Clarence] Seedorf. We are very happy.”

Next up for Milan is a crucial Champions League clash away to Zurich on Tuesday with the Rossoneri needing a win to book their place in the last 16 of the competition, regardless of the outcome of Olymique Marseille-Real Madrid.

“Yes, that against Zurich will be the most important game of the first part of this season,” concluded Borriello.
==============================================================================

I don't know if this is true but i hate how people always credit Sugar Daddy with the good stuff but then blame Leo when it all goes wrong. as if Berlu would have thought this system up.

[San Paolo]

[RomaShield27]

Is that all you want for Christmas, SP?

[San Paolo]

[RomaShield27]

Club Focus - Milan - Sunshine glimmers from the San Siro, but those clouds won’t leave
– By Rami Soufi

The Rossoneri have won five of their last seven games, all five victories coming in Serie A, while drawing the other two in Europe. Coach Leonardo has received praise for emerging from a sticky situation after the inconsistent start to the season. Whatever one thinks of his coaching abilities, Leonardo deserves credit for guiding his side through the intense pressure and negative media reports which hounded the Coach, players and management.

On the flip side, Milan had really no other option early in the season because sacking the Brazilian would have been a glaring admission by Milan’s leadership of the wrong decision they made by hiring the inexperienced Leonardo. The coaching market may have offered alternatives, albeit none who would fit into the Rossoneri’s criteria (namely the one of the best available was Inter’s Roberto Mancini). Sources close to the club discreetly admitted the main reason Leonardo was kept pertains to the management’s fears of instability after Kaka’s sale. The Rossoneri’s hierarchy felt the tifosi would turn against the directors if Leonardo was not there to shoulder the blame for the stuttering start.

Results are the defining measure of success in football, and Leonardo has turned things around with the help of key veteran players who will long be considered as part of the Milan family. Alessandro Nesta has been consistent in defence, Clarence Seedorf is playing perhaps some of the better football in his career despite visible fluctuation in displays, Ronaldinho is finally performing closer to expectations whilst established young prodigy Alexandre Pato continues to knock in the goals. One veteran who deserves particular praise is Filippo Inzaghi. Opposing fans often cannot stand him for his perceived lackadaisical approach to the game and his knack for roaming near the offside position, but his expertly taken brace against Marseille was the initial injection of faith the Milan players needed. Perhaps even more important is the fact his double in France is the reason why Milan remains in contention for Last 16 in the Champions League. Many dislike Inzaghi’s game but no-one can argue this goal-poacher lives every moment in front of the target as if it is his last. From the disappointment and irked look on his face after a near miss to his fanatical goal celebrations, one can easily tell how much passion Inzaghi still has for the game.

The positive run boils down to a chain reaction as the club stuck with one of its former players as Coach (which has become a signature move in what one can term as the ‘extended Milan family’) who in turn displayed measured faith in a bunch of flailing stars, in particular Ronaldinho, to climb the table to second place and inch closer to the Nerazzurri. Leonardo made good use of Pato’s abilities while benefitting from the reinvigorated Nesta who has been performing at a phenomenal level with the exception of a couple of games. The defensive expert has sparked a debate calling for his return to la Nazionale to assist with defending the World Cup. Marcello Lippi will likely welcome his return but Nesta has so far shied away from declaring his eligibility.

The tifosi must keep things in perspective as a defeat or even a draw in Switzerland against FC Zurich will reignite the talk of a crisis at the San Siro. Il Diavolo have struggled at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza which does not come as a shock since the players struggle to break down teams which defend deep as opposed to those willing to play a more open game. Milan beat both Real Madrid and Marseille away from home but struggled to draw with both teams when they visited Italy. The proud club even suffered a humiliating home defeat to minnows Zurich. Qualifying for the knockout stages of Europe is paramount for team and tifosi alike as revenue and the excitement of high-quality football are too tempting to overlook.

Milan and Leonardo are receiving praise at the moment but it can all change if the team is eliminated in Europe leading to criticism and the return of the media circus surrounding Milanello.

[San Paolo]

Does this surprise you?

Offsides
Player Value Min. Club
Filippo Inzaghi 11 248' Milan
Adamo Coulibaly10 335' Debrecen
Pato 9 450' Milan
Kenny Miller 8 331' Rangers
Brandão 8 387' Marseille

[San Paolo]

just sent off for Pato's autograph, i dont think anything will come back though haha

[p_maldini_3]

lots of pressure today. we must qualify.

forza milan

[San Paolo]

we love it this way no doubt

[San Paolo]

Sex, Drugs and Borri Gol! i have a feeling he will score again tonight!

[San Paolo]

AC Milan are set to give Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini a chance to shine as they take on FC Zurich in the Champions League later today, according to reports.

With Massimo Oddo injured and Gianluca Zambrotta suspended, the Rossoneri are short of options in the full-back position, so the two Italians have been chosen by coach Leonardo to start in the crucial clash in Switzerland, according to sportnews.it.

"I'm happy, this is the third time I will play at this stadium," said Antonini, alongside Leonardo at a pre-match press conference.

"I did it with Empoli and Milan in the UEFA Cup. If the coach decides to play me, it will be very emotional because it will be my debut in the Champions League."

A win will ensure the Rossoneri advance to the next stage of the competition, but otherwise they will have to hope for a favour from Real Madrid, who take on Marseille.

We are motivated, we want to play a great match and seal qualification. We know how to deal with this situation," concluded the full-back.

[RomaShield27]

[p_maldini_3]

[vtec]