AC Milan general spiel 2.0

[San Paolo]

[p_maldini_3]

Club Focus - Milan - Inefficient Rossoneri surrender to Inter’s title assault

By Rami Soufi

The defeat to city rivals Inter cannot be used to take away the credit Coach Leonardo deserves for having faith in certain players and helping resurrect their careers. The inexperienced Coach gave injury-prone Marco Borriello the opportunity to cement his place in the starting line-up and the Italian did not disappoint. Borriello was culpable for missing a couple of chances against the Nerazzurri but his performances this season have signaled his return to the football scene.

More importantly, Leonardo did not pressure the club’s stars - Brazilian Ronaldinho and Alessandro Nesta. He gave them ample time to rediscover their form and gradually Nesta has emerged as one of the season’s best defenders forming an impenetrable wall alongside partner Thiago Silva. Ronaldinho has begun to show flashes of brilliance on a more regular basis and his magnificent strike against Siena speaks volumes about his growth in confidence and the immaculate touch he possesses. Despite goalkeeper Dida’s awkward positioning for Goran Pandev’s free-kick which sealed Milan’s fate (he was too far to the right by normal standards), the Brazilian has had a relatively consistent campaign with very few exceptions. Midfielder Andrea Pirlo is beginning to rediscover his touch while club captain Massimo Ambrosini has been an influential figure in the past few weeks.

Leonardo must be praised for his man management as he has succeeded in dealing with the many egos while keeping players who have rarely featured, such as Filippo Inzaghi and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, relatively calm despite their apparent dissatisfaction at the lacking of playing time. Even the complex case of Gennaro Gattuso was not allowed to grow beyond the gossip pages in the Press. The Dutch striker Huntelaar continues to be linked with a move away from Milanello with Everton, Arsenal or Tottenham as potential destinations. The next few days will be decisive in determining whether the Dutchman will be packing his bags or staying in Milan. As for Inzaghi he apparently ruled out extending his contract turning this into his last season with the Rossoneri.


Without discussing in detail the intricacies of the derby, the weaknesses within the Rossoneri squad were too apparent for the naked eye. The absence of the injured Nesta once again confirmed two clear shortcomings- the club has no replacement for the impeccable centre-back and the squad is quite short on talent. The sidelined Alexandre Pato and Nesta were sorely missed with the Rossoneri appearing susceptible at the back and ineffective up-front. A club of Milan’s stature cannot have a 38-year-old as an understudy for Nesta with Giuseppe Favalli playing as a centre-back against Inter. Pato’s absence meant Inzaghi and Huntelaar were the available replacements yet both have not really impressed during the season with Inzaghi nearing retirement age and the latter being one of the season’s less impressive signings.

Milan were missing some key players but so were the Nerazzurri, with Samuel Eto’o representing Cameroon during the loss to Egypt in the African Cup of Nations and Romanian Cristian Chivu sidelined by injury. The difference was the Nerazzurri’s ability to use the depth in the squad to create an advantage over Milan despite playing for a long stretch with 10 players before Brazilian Lúcio was sent-off late on to reduce Inter to nine men. The numerical disadvantage did little to hinder Inter and actually exposed Milan’s inefficiency in front of goal and the team’s shaky defensive line.

In a number of previous editions of Milan Club Focus the emphasis was on cautioning against over confidence or the belief in the club’s ability to wrestle away the Serie A crown from rivals Inter while praising Leonardo’s productive work. The same weaknesses discussed a couple of months ago have resurfaced, not because Milan lost but due to the fact the Rossoneri were up against a quality side. No disrespect to Genoa, Sampdoria and Siena but Inter is on a completely different level with the quality and depth in the squad. Even the victory in Turin against Juventus came at a time when most Serie A clubs have been itching to face the Bianconeri before they emerge out of their crisis.

Credit goes to Milan for maintaining a challenge to Inter despite the lack of resources and players. This defeat does not imply Leonardo’s work has gone to waste because the Rossoneri can still make a push in Europe if they properly negate Manchester United’s main threat (Wayne Rooney). In the meantime, how long will it take before the Rossoneri management acknowledges the dire need for two solid full-backs, a prolific striker, a capable goalkeeper and a young centre-back of quality?
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that last line says it all.

[maro]

How's Cissoko doing at the moment? And how much did Huntelaar cost to keep the bench warm?

[San Paolo]

Milan and Inter face another derby tussle as they fight over Sao Paulo ace Anderson Hernanes, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport.

Finalising a move though will be exhuasting, as both Milanese giants face stiff competition from a host of top European sides, including Barcelona.

The report claims the Blaugrana, CSKA Moscow and Hamburg have all had multi-million euro bids turned down by the Brazilian club. It is said Barcelona's last offer, subsequently rejected, stood at around €14 million.

And, with interest growing, Sao Paulo are likely to raise the bidding bar higher.

Nevertheless, that strategy is unlikely to discourage Milan and Inter who are both said to be pressing ahead with significant plans to land the 23-year-old in the summer.

Hernanes has been compared by many to Real Madrid and former Milan man Kaka, with the Rossoneri seeing him as a possible replacement for the Brazilian, who left the club last year in a €65m transfer.

Anderson is quick and uses both feet. He is also gifted with a powerful and accurate shot. His qualities also appeal to the Nerazzurri, who are likely to show an interest. Other clubs are expected to join the race with Fiorentina and French side Lyon following the player.
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i wonder why we didnt get him in the summer when he was offered to us for €15 mil.

[p_maldini_3]

cissokho wouldve been the ace in the deck.

[vtec]

[maro]

I think you're deluded, 'tec.

[San Paolo]

Cagliari President Massimo Cellino has revealed he had given the green light for forward Nené to join fellow Serie A side AC Milan but pulled the plug on the switch at the 11th hour.

“I’m sorry, I had said yes to [Milan chief executive Adriano] Galliani, but now things have changed,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

“I can’t release the Brazilian, also because [Joaquin] Larrivey is suspended for Sunday’s match.”

But it’s still unclear whether the two clubs will resume negotiations next week before the transfer window shuts down, as explained by Nené’s agent Davide Lippi.

“He is staying put for the time being,” he said to Calciomercato.it.

“There was certainly some truth in it. Cellino has changed his mind and is now unwilling to part with the player.

“Milan are obviously interested in Nené. The transfer window ends on February 1 and should the Rossoneri release [Klaas-Jan] Huntelaar, we’ll see if there is room to re-open discussions.

“Cellino has closed the door for now, but anything can happen in the market…”

Nené has been one of the revelations in Serie A so far this term, netting six goals in 18 appearances.
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Is Nene what we need?

[San Paolo]

a post here from another milan forum i visit from time to time, this guy whos post i'm quoting is from Brazil so he keeps us updated on the players we are lnked with. this post is in regards to the Hernanes rumours.

"There´s a strong talk here in Brazil that Hernanes will be selled until the end of the january window.

Maybe it´s a coincidence, but São Paulo just bring back to Brazil Cleber Santana(A. de Madrid) that in his Santos time, played a similar role to Hernanes. Also, they bring Rodrigo Souto, a more defensive mid, but that can also play Hernanes role with less quality.

Hernanes agent said that he gave to São Paulo president 3 proposals from European clubs last tuesday, and since S. Paulo president didn´t deny it(until now), I tend to believe it´s true.

The agent also said that the values are near of what S. Paulo received last season(Barcelona offered 15 M), in others words, less money. But as he also pointed, the market now isn´t the same...

Regarding names, the press here is saying that the clubs are Milan, Inter(the other one isn´t being mentioned). Basically the same thing you hear from Italy. So, it´s better to wait and see...

But one thing appears to be true, 3 European clubs really sent to São Paulo a proposal for Hernanes..."

it would be nice if we could sign him and get him to train with us like Thiago Silva and then register him in the summer.

[RomaShield27]

GALLIANI: HUNTELAAR GOING NOWHERE
www.sportinglife.com

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has insisted unsettled striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will not be leaving the Serie A club this month, despite reported interest from Barclays Premiershit clubs.

The Holland international recently admitted that he was considering a loan move away from the San Siro as he looks to secure regular action ahead of the World Cup. Huntelaar has failed to make an impact in Leonardo's Milan side since arriving in the summer from Real Madrid.

However, Galliani believes the striker will come good soon. "I reiterate that Huntelaar will not be transferred," said Galliani.

"He needs to be calm and wait for the chances he gets. Milan will not sell him. "I have said it for some time but no one seems to believe me."

Huntelaar started in Wednesday's Coppa Italia quarter-final clash with Udinese but failed to score as the Rossoneri crashed out of the competition with a 1-0 loss.

[p_maldini_3]

[San Paolo]

[San Paolo]

[San Paolo]

Highly-rated Brazilian international midfielder Hernanes has revealed he will have no doubt which team to pick once he leaves his current club Sao Paulo.

Italian giants Inter and Milan are said to be prepared to enter a bidding war to sign the youngster, and he told TV Bandeirantes: “The fact that Kaka played there and made history means that Milan have stronger ties with Brazil.

“That’s why I feel like I’m leaning more towards the Rossoneri.”

The midfielder has also been linked with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, but he insisted that he will only quit Sao Paulo when the club agrees to release him.

“My dream is to play in Europe,” he mused. “But I understand that first of all there must be negotiations.

“As long as there is nothing concrete, I will continue realising my dream of wearing the Sao Paulo shirt. Whatever will be will be. Otherwise, I am happy to stay here.”

[San Paolo]

[p_maldini_3]

[maro]

whistling in the dark. whistling in the dark.

[San Paolo]

Adiyiah played 5 minutes for Ghana and looked good, very fast and had good control i hope he gets some playing time with us he could be what we're looking for in regards of Pato's empty spot on the right.

[San Paolo]

[p_maldini_3]