Milan Set To Move For Valencia’s David Silva - Report

David Silva is set to become the subject of transfer speculation once again.

Valencia will have to brace themselves for another flurry of interest in their star players when the winter transfer market opens, with Milan already mooting a bid for David Silva.The Rossoneri are desperate to revitalise their flagging squad and believe that the highly-rated Spaniard could be the player to add the spark to Leonardo's side.Milan are said to be considering a €30 million offer for the 23-year-old, who interested both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the summer, but will face competition, The Daily Mail states.Liverpool are said to be monitoring the situation and were only prevented from making their interest concrete due to the lack of finances available to manager Rafael Benitez.Sir Alex Ferguson also sees Silva, who can play through the middle and down the left, as someone who could add a lot to his Manchester United team.Valencia fended off interest for both Silva and David Villa throughout the summer, despite their financial problems, and will be prepared to hold out once again in January.

AC Milan Boss Leonardo Considers Copying Italy's Pirlo Idea

The 30-year-old may be going back to his roots at the club level as well, slotting in behind the attack.

AC Milan coach Leonardo is considering a tactical shuffle after Andrea Pirlo's performance in international action yesterday, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.The midfielder has been struggling in recent months in his usual deep-lying role, but excelled when placed in the trequartista position just behind the strikers on Wednesday evening, having a hand in both of Italy's goals against Bulgaria.The Brazilian boss is considering a similar move against Livorno, pushing the 30-year-old further up the field in support of Alexandre Pato and either Ronaldinho or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.The Italian international began his career in the same attacking midfield position, but was later pushed back into a deeper role due to the presence of players like Kaka and Rui Costa at the San Siro.Meanwhile, the rest of the midfield would consist of Mathieu Flamini, captain Massimo Ambrosini, and Clarence Seedorf.The Rossoneri are eager to make up for their recent humiliating 4-0 loss to city-rivals Inter. They kick-off against Livorno on Saturday at 18:00 CET at the Stadio Armando Picchi.

Clarence Seedorf Keeps His Faith In Milan

The Dutchman is adamant that the Rossoneri will react to adversity and begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Milan resume their Serie A campaign in Livorno this weekend hoping to erase memories of their Derby della Madonnina debacle and Clarence Seedorf has urged the Diavoli fans to remain patient, because the tide will turn.“We know it is a transitional phase and there’s a long way to go, but over the years Milan have always proved to know how to get out of dark periods,” he told Studio Sport.“We have always reacted to difficulties and that’s why I am optimistic.”Seedorf seems to have fallen out of favour under new boss Leonardo and his alleged bust-up with Gennaro Gattuso during the Derby has prompted speculation of friction in the Rossoneri dressing room.“After being a regular for years, I find myself starting in the second row because I am back from an injury,” mused the ex-Real Madrid man.“I consider myself an important player for this team, so there are no problems. And as long as I am here, I will not allow any ‘cracks’ in the dressing room. That would be the evil of all evils.”

Ajax Coach Martin Jol Thinks Luis Suarez Is A Perfect Fit For Inter Or AC Milan

The Ajax gaffer has stated that he considers Suarez as one of the best attackers around and that he is bound to sign for a big club next summer.

Uruguayan international Luis Suarez has developed into an absolute star player at Dutch powerhouse Ajax since joining them from Groningen in the summer of 2007. Head coach Martin Jol is confident that the forward will keep getting better and join a big club in the not so distant future."Luis Suarez is one the best attacker around at the moment, but I am not sure whether he has what it takes to become the best in the world. He is the type of forward that does unexpected things from out of nowhere. He is not a typical striker though," said Jol to Sportweek."He is at his best as a support striker. We have not yet found the perfect position for him at Ajax, but I think he will be great together with Marko Pantelic. Luis and Marko will be a great striker-duo for us."Suarez can still get better as a player. The experience of being a key player at Ajax will only help him in his development. There were no big clubs after him this summer, because Luis revealed that he was not interested in leaving the club."However, it's impossible for Ajax to hold on to a player of his class. He will join a big club such as AC Milan, Inter or Olympique Lyon in the summer of 2010. Those clubs play in a perfect 4-4-2 formation for him. Clubs of a lower statute can not afford him."

Luca Antonini: AC Milan Have Started From Scratch After Losing Ancelotti, Kaka & Maldini

The Milan defender admits it feels like going back to square one after losing major influences at the club.

AC Milan defender Luca Antonini admits the high-profile departures of Kaka, Carlo Ancelotti and Paolo Maldini this summer have forced the team to go back a step and basically start over.The Rossoneri have enjoyed a mixed start to the season as Leonardo gets to grips with his new responsibilities as coach. Antonini believes the players have had to go back, rather than forward following the squad overhaul."We have started from zero because we changed coach and lost players like Kaka and Maldini," Antonini told Milan Channel."Therefore we have had to begin new things with a new coach. New training and work on the pitch. I am sure we will see the results though."Antonini is hoping to take to the field in the Armando Picchi when his side travel to Livorno, but he has warned not to downgrade the opposition."We head to Tuscany and I hope to prove my value, but the coach will decide," added the defender."Livorno have a good squad with players such as Francesco Tavano and Cristiano Lucarelli that can hurt us."We need to watch them. In any case, we are aware of our qualities."

Milan Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: I Want To Play Against Livorno

The Rossoneri striker is eager for more playing time.

Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has asked coach Leonardo for more playing time and his hope is to be on the park against Livorno this weekend.After being suspended for the season opener against Siena, Huntelaar made a cameo appearance against Inter in the derby. The hitman is currently on international duty, but he is eyeing a starting role when he returns to the San Siro."I want to be given an opportunity to do what I was bought to do, and that is to play," Huntelaar told Tuttosport."I was used very little at Real Madrid, but I have found a different situation here at Milan. However, I can only show my quality if I am given space in the team."I know there are not guarantees, but I hope to be used more when I return to Italy. There is a need to change after the derby, and I am ready to have my chance," concluded the hitman.

Milan's Adriano Galliani: I Will Spend More Time With The Team This Year

The bald-headed chief is eager to rally his troops this season.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed he will be spending more time with the team this term, and less time in his office.The chief is less than pleased with the shaky start to the season. Galliani wants to stay close to coach Leonardo to ensure his side move in the right direction. The Italian dignitary has traditionally taken a step back from the action, but he has promised to be more involved with the work at the club's training headquarters."I am from Brianza territory where there are lots of factories. I have decided that I will spend more time in the workshop, the Milan workshop in Milanello that is," Galliani is quoted as saying on Puntosport.net."I want to stay close to my friend Leonardo. There will not be any rapport with the team, there's no need."The Rossoneri clash with Livorno on Saturday evening, hoping to bounce back from their 4-0 loss to Inter in the derby last time out.

Massimo Ambrosini: Milan Needed To Play Straight Away After Derby

The skipper says that the Rossoneri have been suffering ever since their humiliation in the Milan derby.

Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, who just extended his contract with the club until 2009, believes that the two-week break has done more harm than good for the team.Ambrosini would have preferred to jump straight into action following the 4-0 hammering at the hands of Inter in order to try to silence the critics, but 15 days without club football has not helped at all."With regards to the derby, the problem is that we have been 15 days without playing,” explained the Rossoneri’s captain to Milan Channel.“If there were few days after the derby until the next game, we would have had straight away the chance to redeem ourselves. With the break, we carried forward this result for 15 days and we still carry it.“In any case, we have worked well, even though it's always particular to train without many players, like in every national team break. We remain optimistic, like before Siena and after Siena. We need, like in everything, the right balance to evaluate the situations.”Milan will now visit Livorno on Saturday as they try to get back on the winning track and keep themselves within touching distance of the teams at the top of the table in this early part of the season.

It's Too Early To Talk About The Scudetto Race – Juventus Midfielder Felipe Melo

The Brazilian hardman says that any talk of the title is premature.

Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo claims that despite the club's opening results, it is too early to be discussing the Scudetto race. The Bianconeri have won their first two matches, and currently sit two points ahead of Inter, who have won the past four Serie A titles.“It’s been a really good start to the championship, we’re happy to have played well in these first two matches, especially against a strong team like Roma,” he said, according to Goal.com Italia. “I think it’s too early to talk about a battle between Inter and Juventus. There is also Milan.” The player scored on his Serie A debut for the Bianconeri in the 3-1 victory over the Giallorossi and is considered one of the top midfielders in Serie A after a successful campaign with Fiorentina in 2008-09. Juventus visit the Stadio Olimpico to face Lazio on September 12, after play resumes following the international break.The 26-year-old is currently on international duty with Brazil.

AC Milan Have Turned The Corner - Marco Storari

The shot stopper believes his side are ready to challenge this season after being humbled at the Giuseppe Meazza last weekend.

AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Storari is confident that the club can start a new chapter of success following the disappointing 4-0 derby loss to Inter."We regret the outcome of the match against Inter, but we already turned the corner on Saturday night," he told Milan Channel."We are ready for Livorno. The important thing is to stay serene and compact. Certainly we want to succeed, it will be key to start off on the right foot. This is a strong team, rich with champions."Meanwhile, he commented on Milan's Champions League draw which saw them placed in Group C, alongside Spanish giants Real Madrid, Marseille, and FC Zurich."It does not seem easy," the former Cagliari and Messina player admitted. "In the third pot I think Marseille was one of the best teams, it will be a tough match, like all the others."Since joining the Rossoneri in 2007, the 32-year-old has endured a number of loan spells - at Levante, Cagliari, and Fiorentina. However, he has deputised for the injured Dida and Christian Abbiati in the starting XI for the Rossoneri's first two league matches in 2009-10.

AC Milan Vice-President Galliani: Leonardo Refused To Sign Mahamadou Diarra

The Rossoneri opted not to sign the Mali international.

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]."

Adriano Galliani: Milan Are Searching For A New Kaka

The Rossoneri chief executive has reiterated that they could look at the South American market in January in the hope of unearthing a new Kaka.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani hinted yesterday that the non-EU spot vacated by Tabare Viudez, who has mutually rescinded his contract with the club, will be filled again during the January transfer window and further elaborated on the topic this morning as he stepped into the Lega Calcio headquarters.“We have a free non-EU place, which is something we could not boast last season. We’ll see…” he told the assembled media pack.A similar situation presented itself in 2003 when Milan released Nigerian striker Aliyu Datti and consequently signed a certain Kaka…“I want to remind everyone that Aliyu is the player that was sold to Standard Liege and allowed us to free up a non-EU spot for Kaka,” he smiled.“Who will be the next Kaka? It’s hard to say, but we are working on it.”Milan sold the Brazilian international to Spanish giants Real Madrid earlier this summer for a reported €67.5 million.

Milan ‘Keeper Christian Abbiati Resumes Training

The shot-stopper has almost recovered from knee surgery, returning between the posts at Milanello on Wednesday.

After the Derby della Madonnina debacle, Milan fans received some good news on Wednesday as goalkeeper Christian Abbiati finally resumed training following his serious knee injury last March.The 32-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee at Siena and went under the knife in Antwerp on March 30, with the Rossoneri medical staff expecting his recovery process to take between five and six months.The ex-Juventus net-minder was spotted training with the rest of the Diavoli squad yesterday morning, albeit working alone in the gym in the afternoon.It is still unclear whether Abbiati will be available for selection after the international break, when Leonardo’s men will try to bounce back from the 4-0 humiliation suffered at the hands of cross-city rivals Inter against Livorno.Meanwhile, Marco Borriello and Clarence Seedorf trained on their own yesterday, as did Filippo Inzaghi, who is expected to be at the coach’s disposal for the trip to the Armando Picchi. Gennaro Gattuso is still recovering from his ankle sprain suffered in the derby.

Carles Puyol Stalls Over New Barcelona Deal

First team football is foremost in the captain's mind.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is stalling over a contract renewal offered by the club as doubts persist over his role in the first team, according to AS.The 31-year-old Blaugrana defender is said to be mulling over a two-year extension that would keep him at the club until he is 34-years-old but there is a suggestion now that the player may consider finishing his career overseas with Premier League big spenders Chelsea and Manchester City and Italian giants Milan identified as clubs keeping tabs on the progress of contract negotiations.Puyol is said to have the backing of coach Pep Guardiola who said he wants to hold onto the captain because he can play any position in the back four. The veteran defender, who played his 300th league game for Barca in Monday's 2-0 win over Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou, is reportedly unconvinced about his future role at the club.Puyol, who has lifted three La Liga titles and two European Cups as captain, is said to be in no hurry to sign a deal and wants to see how this season develops with Rafael Marquez and new-signing Dmytro Chygrynskiy vying for the centre-back positions and Pep Guardiola's position at the club yet to be set in stone. It is understood that a role on the substitutes bench would most likely diminish the likelihood of him signing an extension.

AC Milan To Swap Jankulovski For Tottenham Starlet Gareth Bale

The Rossoneri are after the young Welsh international.

According to English newspaper the London Times, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur are negotiating a deal that would see Marek Jankulovski and Gareth Bale swap clubs.The Rossoneri are willing to give the Spurs the Czech international plus an additional €5 million for the services of the Welsh starlet during the winter transfer window that opens in January.The 20-year-old has a boatload of potential and can also play as a left midfielder similar to Jankulovski. The report insists that negotiations are already well advanced.Bale made 30 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham last season, but with the excellent form of Benoit Assou-Ekotto he may have a tough time breaking into the starting XI.Meanwhile, Jankulovski has been a first team member of the Rossoneri since 2005.

Inter Director Ernesto Paolillo Suggests AC Milan Are Still In Scudetto Race

The club official says the Diavoli are not dead and buried, despite their humiliating derby defeat.

After Inter mauled AC Milan 4-0 in the city derby this past weekend, many pundits now believe it's a two-horse race for the Scudetto between the Nerazzurri and their rivals Juventus.However, Inter director Ernesto Paolillo will not count out their city rivals and claims the Rossoneri can recover. "The title race is only between two teams? There may be surprises," he told realsports.it."First of all, beyond the outcome of the derby, Milan is able to address the league in a strong manner and should not be underestimated."Meanwhile, he claimed that teams outside of the 'big three' in the peninsula could also challenge for the title after positive starts to the 2009-10 campaign."Plus, we must not forget other teams such as Genoa, Sampdoria, and Fiorentina. They could cause a shock," he concluded.

Thiago Silva Urges Milan To React After Derby Defeat

The Brazilian defender admits the derby thrashing is hard to swallow, but he is insistent that the Rossoneri have what it takes to turn things around.

Thiago Silva, who is in his maiden season in Italy with Milan, is adamant coach Leonardo will be able to get the side back on track in no time after a bad weekend.After a positive start to the Serie A campaign, the Derby della Madonnina brought the Rossoneri back down to earth, hammered 4-0 by bitter rivals Inter on Saturday night.“It’s hard to digest such a defeat in the derby, but the team is strong,” the Brazilian centre-back told the club’s official website.“We will talk about the game and analyse the mistakes we committed on the pitch after working intensely for a week to prepare for this clash.“We played well at the beginning up until the moment we conceded a goal: we needed to remain calm to try and turn the situation around, but instead we got nervous.“Everyone knows that in these situations you have to keep calm. Now we have to work a lot on tactics, but Leonardo is a very good coach.”Milan will travel to Tuscany after the international break to face newly-promoted side Livorno, who gave a good account of themselves at Napoli last weekend, despite suffering a 3-1 loss.

Arsenal Should Sign Milan's Gennaro Gattuso - Ian Wright

The ex-Gunners man feels Gattuso is the player most needed at the Emirates.

Former Arsenal hitman Ian Wright believes Gunners manager Arsene Wenger should sign Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to add some fighting qualities to the team in an attempt to save their title bid this season.The Gunners lost 2-1 at the weekend to title rivals Manchester United following a hard-fought game at Old Trafford, and Wright doesn't feel Arsenal have the tenacious qualities to battle with the very best.The former striker feels players who aren't afraid to stick their feet into the opposition are needed, and he has picked Gattuso as the one who would intimidate other sides with aggression."Arsenal need to sign someone like AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso, an experienced, tough-tackling midfield enforcer who would not have allowed himself or his team-mates to be bullied by a player like United's Darren Fletcher," Wright told The Sun.Landing Gattuso is unlikely, as he is tied to the San Siro-based club until 2011. In addition, Wenger's philosophy has always been to bring in youngsters, rather than players who are reaching the end of their careers.

Clarence Seedorf Explains Substitution Delay During Milan Derby

The player has become annoyed by some of the accusations in the press.

AC Milan were defeated in the city derby by Inter on Saturday, to the tune of a humiliating 4-0 scoreline.One of the key moments of the match was the sending off of Gennaro Gattuso, which happened just before the player was about to be substituted for Clarence Seedorf.The Dutchman took some extra time to get ready, as he had to change from sneakers into football boots and some have criticised the veteran for the delay."I think this is an insult to my professionalism. It's very simple, [I was wearing the sneakers because] I returned from an injury that lasted 40 days and I had some soreness in my calf," he explained to Sky Sport 24."If I have to apologize for that, I also ask your pardon, it is not a problem. I believe that I demonstrated in the second-half by playing well."Indeed, the former Real Madrid man was one of the few bright spots for the Rossoneri on the evening."In my career I've always acted like a professional or at least like someone who is willing to give his all to the team," he concluded.

AC Milan Send Kaka's Brother Digao On Loan To Lecce

The centre-back will once again be loaned out for the duration of the season.

AC Milan have loaned out defender Digao to Serie B outfit Lecce, as confirmed by the club's official website, acmilan.com.A statement released by the club read, "A.C. Milan communicate that the footballer Rodrigo Izecson dos Santos Leite 'Digao' has been loaned out to U.S. Lecce until 30 June 2010."The 23-year-old is the brother of former Milan talisman Kaka, who left for Real Madrid in a mega-money move this summer.Despite, joining the Rossoneri in 2005, Diago has often been deemed surplus to requirements, having had loan spells at Rimini and Standard Liege.The Salentini will be hoping that Digao can assist the club in regaining their top flight status, after they were relegated at the tail end of last season's Serie A campaign.

AC Milan Director Ariedo Braida: No More Transfers

No more transfers is the word from Milan, despite several hours until the market officially closes.

Milan will not sign anyone else as they declare their transfer market campaign as 'closed'.Club director Ariedo Braida has revealed there will not be any last-minute dash to beat the transfer clock which stops at 19:00CET tonight."There will not be any operations in the transfer market. Milan's market is closed," Braida told Tuttomercatoweb.com.Braida stayed quiet on the post-derby debate as journalists chased him around Via Turati with questions. Vice-president Adriano Galliani was nowhere to be seen as the Rossoneri choose to keep a low profile following the 4-0 defeat to Inter. Having lost key men such as Paolo Maldini and Kaka, the club's only signings, apart from the player's who returned from various loan spells, were Oguchi Onyewu, Flavio Roma and Klass-Jan Huntelaar.

Andriy Shevchenko Pleased To Be Back With Dynamo Kyiv

'Sheva' has returned to Kyiv, and he feels pleased to be home.

Andriy Shevchenko has expressed his delight at being back with Dynamo Kyiv, ten years after leaving the club for Italy.The Ukrainian international striker enjoyed a successful spell with Milan, before moving to England with Chelsea, where his fortunes changed somewhat.The 32-year-old has now returned to his home country after being told he could leave the Blues, and he wants to repay Dynamo."First of all, I would like to thank [Chelsea owner] Roman Abramovich and [Dynamo president] Igor Surkis for making the transfer possible," Shevchenko said, according to UEFA's official website."I also want to thank coach Valery Gazzaev, whom I am really happy to have the chance to work with. I've had ten years abroad but now it's time to return."I want to honour the club and make the fans happy; I'm really pleased to be back."Shevchenko had been insisting he was happy to remain at Chelsea over the summer, but appeared to have a change of heart after being left out of the Blues' Champions League squad.'Sheva's' transfer means he will now participate in Europe's most illustrious competition, featuring in a group that includes Barcelona, Inter and Rubin Kazan, though he remains undaunted by the challenge ahead."We have a very tough group, but that's even better for Dynamo," he added."We respect our opponents and we expect them to adopt the same attitude towards us. Everybody should respect, or even fear, this club."Shevchenko has signed an initial one-year contract with Dynamo, with a possible option for a further 12 months thereafter.

Gennaro Gattuso Ruled Out Of Italy's World Cup Qualifiers

The combative midfielder picked up an injury in last night's derby and is unavailable for Marcello Lippi's squad.

Before being sent off, shortly before half time in the Derby della Madonnina last night, Gennaro Gattuso picked up an injury and it has been confirmed that it will exclude him from Italy's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria in the coming days.La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that Gattuso sprained his left ankle in the early stages of the derby against Inter, and will be ruled out for around a fortnight.Italy face Georgia in Tblisi on September 5, before hosting Bulgaria in Turin on September 9.
The Azzurri currently sit top of Group 8 in the qualifying phase for next year's World Cup in South Africa, with a game in hand over the Republic of Ireland in second place.The 31-year-old midfielder will also have to serve a suspension in Serie A after his dismissal, which will at least allow the former Rangers midfielder to fully recover from his injury.

Beaten Milan Must Stay Calm - Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi has claimed he is unconcerned by Milan's 4-0 defeat to Inter in the Derby della Madonnina, but added that the squad must stay calm and start winning again."Every game has its own story, and I am not worried about the future," Berlusconi stated to Italian news agency ANSA."I told them [the players] to stay calm and that they have to begin winning again [starting] from the next game."Berlusconi also congratulated Inter on their victory, and added that he was happy to have met Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho for the first time last night."It was the first time that I have seen him, I was happy to meet him and he [felt] likewise."Milan have a fortnight to mull over their defeat before they travel to Livorno in the third round of Serie A. Inter, meanwhile, will host newly-promoted Parma.

Inter Boss Jose Mourinho Set To Make Changes For Milan Derby

The ex-Chelsea tactician may revert back to a 4-3-3 formation this weekend against the Nerazzurri's city-rivals...

After Inter slumped to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Bari at the Giuseppe Meazza in their opening Serie A match, coach Jose Mourinho will tinker with his line-up ahead of this weekend's high-profile derby against AC Milan, according to Datasport.'The Special One' will start with an overhaul in defence, with Walter Samuel partnering Lucio in the centre rather than Marco Materazzi or Ivan Cordoba, while Cristian Chivu or Davide Santon will play at left-back, moving Javier Zanetti into the midfield.Sulley Muntari is likely to be dropped after only lasting 30 minutes in the previous match. Dejan Stankovic and Thiago Motta are expected to complete a midfield trio.Meanwhile, a trident attack that features Samuel Eto'o, Diego Milito, and starlet Mario Balotelli could be employed to stretch the Rossoneri backline.However, Mourinho will continue to be without defensive midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and starlet Marko Arnautovic as both are involved in individual training to recover from their respective injuries.

Inter Striker Diego Milito: We Are Not Scared Of Milan

'El Principe' is eager to impress on Saturday as he eyes a beautiful Milan derby...

Inter striker Diego Milito is looking forward to playing his first Serie A derby against Milan, and he does not fear Leonardo's men.Milito scored twice against Milan during the summer friendly tour of the USA, but he is well aware that Saturday's opposition will have shaken off the pre-season rust."This derby will be different from the pre-season ones," Milito told the press."I have respect for Milan, but I do not fear them. The result on the pitch will show whether we are stronger than them."We have a good squad, and we are tranquil for the game."Samuel Eto'o has been taking all the limelight from Milito so far this term, but the Argentinean international is unfazed. 'El Principe' claims both men will shine together over the course of the season as he eyes maximum points this weekend."Eto'o? We have a good partnership, he is a great player, but it will take time to adapt," added the hitman. "I am going through my first derby emotions and it's going to be beautiful playing at the San Siro."I hope to play really well, and I am hoping we win."

Inter's Marco Materazzi: Milan Are Favourites To Win The Derby

The stopper is playing the pre-match mind games, claiming Milan are in line for a derby win...

Inter defender Marco Materazzi believes his side will be the underdogs in the Milan derby on Saturday night.The stopper is expecting an explosive atmosphere in the San Siro. Despite beating Milan in pre-season, 'Matrix' feels the bitter rivals from across town have the upper hand heading into the clash."They have three points, we only have one, therefore they are the favourites," Materazzi told Sky Sport Italia."I can't hear the noise of the enemy, but I can see the colours of the opposition. The derby is always the derby, no matter where and no matter at what temperature it's played in."The atmosphere will always be hot, whether you play in August or in December."In July, it was a Diego Milito double that settled the friendly derby in the USA.

Milan Step-Up Bid To Sign Schalke's Rafinha Or Sevilla's Adriano

The Rossoneri are eager to sign a full-back before the end of the month...

Milan have lost the race to sign Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri, who is widely expected to sign for Fiorentina in the coming hours, but they are still on the hunt for a full-back, with Rafinha of Schalke and Adriano of Sevilla reportedly their primary targets.Neither Marek Jankulovski nor Gianluca Zambrotta are deemed to be of sufficient calibre by the club's hierarchy, and Il Corriere dello Sport believes Rafinha and Adriano are now in the Rossoneri's sights.However, Massimo Oddo still represents a problem for Leonardo's side - the former Lazio man needs to be sold before another full-back can be brought in. Oddo spent an unsuccessful season on loan with Bayern Munich last year, and he is refusing to go abroad on a temporary basis again.Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United are thought to be interested in the 33-year-old, and this could be key for Milan.The Rossoneri are now reportedly lining up a bid to bring Valon Behrami back to Italy, after the Swiss international left Lazio for the Hammers last summer. Milan vice president Adriano Galliani is also willing to take Julien Faubert in exchange from West Ham.

Ronaldinho Can Replace Kaka - Milan Defender Thiago Silva

The Brazilian ace believes Ronaldinho has what it takes to fill the void left by Kaka...

Ronaldinho is just like Kaka, and fans can expect the No.80 to fire his side to glory in this weekend's Milan derby, according to Thiago Silva.Kaka left a hole in the side when he moved to Real Madrid this summer, and his responsibilities have fallen upon 'Dinho'. Much is expected from the Brazilian this term, and Silva insists his countryman will not let anyone down."Ronaldinho is doing well and I think he will play a great game," Silva told Tuttosport."I think he can [replace Kaka]. He is already doing it. Ronaldinho played well against Siena. It's clear that replacing Kaka is not easy, but he is on the right track, and I think he will succeed in that sense."He has promised us that he will take the burden on his shoulders, and I believe him."Silva has his work cut out on Saturday night, but he is confident of stopping Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito."I have never played against Eto'o, but I will try and stop him. I have been watching him on television and so I will be able to anticipate him," concluded the stopper.

AC Milan Defender Alessandro Nesta Rules Out Italy Return

The 33-year-old will not come back on the international scene...

AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has put rumours of his potential return to the Italy setup under coach Marcello Lippi to rest, by closing the door on the possibility.“When I decided to quit the national team they still would have called me, but I had to make a choice," he was quoted as saying by ANSA. “After the type of career I have had, with all the injuries, I thought I would not be able to work with both my club and national team.”The centre-back, who was widely considered the world’s best defender earlier in his career, has said that despite his return to fitness he will stick with his decision to forego international football. “So to be fair to the coach and the other Azzurri players I will not speak of the national team anymore. It is a prospect that is closed,” he added. The former Lazio captain featured for Italy from 1996-2006 and became a stalwart in defence, but retired after the Azzurri’s victorious World Cup campaign in 2006, which he missed a majority of due to injury. The player spent almost the whole 2008-09 season on the sidelines, but has seemingly recovered and put in a fine performance for the Rossoneri against Siena this past weekend.

Juventus President Cobolli Gigli 'Would Not Mind' If AC Milan Beat Inter

The Bianconeri patron has shown his preference ahead of the Derby della Madonnina...

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has indicated he would prefer that AC Milan win this weekend's derby against city-rivals Inter, who have dominated on the domestic front for the past few seasons."I try to think about things in my own house, but I certainly I would not mind [if Milan won]," he explained to the Corriere dello Sport.He then turned his attention to the positive start to the campaign for his side with a 1-0 win over Chievo and is looking forward to the upcoming match against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico."There are still 37 games until the end, however we are very happy. We played a good first-half against Chievo, now we will think about the double challenge with the Romans."The Bianconeri face Roma in round 2 of the Serie A schedule this weekend and then meet Lazio in round three.

AC Milan Vice-President Galliani: Inter Boss Jose Mourinho Is Very Sly

The Rossoneri official thinks the Nerazzurri boss is simply paying lip-service...

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has spoken about the club's positive start to the 2009-10 campaign, believing the Rossoneri were written off too early by the press."Our morale has always been good, the only thing that has changed in my opinion is the media," he told the Corierre dello Sport."We were not dead before, we are not a phenomenon now. Certainly, Milan were underestimated. The derby, however, cannot be decisive, it's only the second round."Inter coach Jose Mourinho has already claimed that the Rossoneri are now the favourites to win the derby after their solid performance in the 2-1 win at Siena, but Galliani is not buying the statements from the 'The Special One.' "Mourinho is a weasel," joked the 65-year-old.Milan and Inter kick-off at the San Siro at 20:45 CET on Saturday.

Gennaro Gattuso: Milan Are As Strong As Inter

Ringhio is eager to have his say when the two Milanese giants lock horns on Saturday night...

Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso doesn't believe Inter are stronger than his side as he looks ahead to Saturday night's derby della Madonnina showdown.The Rossoneri go into the game in good spirits as they are in front of their bitter rivals in the standings - something that has not happened since May 2006, before Calciopoli.Gattuso feels the champions are not superior, but he cannot pick a winner."Inter and Juventus are like battleships, but we are there to play for it. We are up there also, and we have to live day by day," Gattuso told Il Corriere Della Sera."The derby does not have rules. Just because we are ahead in the league, it doesn't mean anything."If you lose the derby on the second day of term then it can have a mental effect on the team. I would have preferred the derby to come later in the season."

Real Madrid's Kaka: I Hope Milan Beat Inter In The Derby

Kaka hopes Milan win the big derby against bitter city rivals Inter this weekend.

Former Milan ace and current Real Madrid galactico Kaka will be rooting for the Rossoneri during Saturday night's super showdown Milan derby.The Brazilian, who left for the Bernabeu during the summer, still holds a place in his heart for Milan. Kaka will be tuning in to see the action, and he has made a prediction. As expected, his old team-mates are his pick."I hope Milan win the derby, but these games are always difficult," Kaka told Sky Sport Italia."They played really well against Siena and I am happy for Leonardo. I really hope everything goes well for them."Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is not as confident, however, claiming that his side are the underdogs, perhaps in an attempt to play mind games with Jose Mourinho."Judgements change based on results. We were not dead before this game, but we are not the favourites," added the club dignitary.

Paolo Maldini: If Milan Beat Inter They Can Win Serie A

The Rossoneri legend has stoked the fires ahead of the Milan derby.

Paolo Maldini has declared that victory in the derby next weekend could give Milan the springboard they need to overhaul champions Inter and claim the Scudetto this season.Milan are two points ahead of Inter in the table after the first game, and Maldini believes that, despite the league being in its embryonic stages, the gap will still be important."[Those two points] are valuable and are helpful," he noted. "Let us imagine that Milan were two points behind after a disappointing pre-season. What pressure would there be on my mates?"But now Milan can prepare for the derby in the ideal way."The 41-year-old then looked beyond the weekend's fixture, stating that if his old side could beat their city-rivals then there is no reason to believe the Rossoneri cannot win the title."[A victory in the derby] would create enthusiasm and then the five point advantage could neutralise the technical gap that Inter had at the start. The best do not always win, I remember our Scudetto with [Alberto] Zaccheroni. The derby can be decisive," Maldini asserted."If we beat Inter, then we can think of the title."

Silvio Berlusconi Very Happy With Ronaldinho At Milan

The supremo says he would not swap the former Barcelona star for any other player in the world.

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has expressed his satisfaction with Ronaldinho's first outing in the new Serie A season, in which he showed signs of his top form.Berlusconi has always been a keen admirer of the Brazilian player and has a very clear idea of where he would field the former Golden Ball winner."I'm so happy about Ronaldinho, that I wouldn't ever change him with anyone, because wherever he is on the pitch, he always does two or three extraordinary things," declared the Italian prime minister to the Processo di Biscardi."I think that he must play on the edge of the penalty area, even as a forward or an attacking midfielder. Leonardo agrees with this."I'm convinced that Ronaldinho is a person who needs to feel respected. This year he will probably be one of the protagonists in the league."In his first season at Milan, following his move from Barcelona, the 29-year-old made 30 appearances in Serie A and scored a total of eight goals for the team.

AC Milan President Berlusconi Encourages Attacking Trio Formation

The Rossoneri patron believes that 'Dinho's true talents lie in a more advanced position.

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has continued to lavish praise on Ronaldinho, but continues to ask for the player to be handed a more attacking role on the pitch."I believe he should play close to the action, on the midst of the penalty area," he told the Corierre dello Sport."If I were to choose the team, I would put [Clarence] Seedorf in the number ten position and Pato and Ronaldinho as the first and second strikers."Berlusconi has suggested the former Barcelona man be used in attack before, but coach Leonardo has opted to keep him in midfield. The player put in a promising performance against Siena this past weekend, assisting on both of Pato's goals."Leonardo? We talk about everything and share our ideas. Ronaldinho is a good guy, he only needs to feel valued and supported. I'm convinced [playing in attack] he would be among the best players in the league."Interestingly, the formation the president is encouraging would leave out expensive summer signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Milan's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Relishing Making Serie A Debut Against Inter

The Rossoneri's player had to miss out on the first league game of the season due to a suspension, but is now eagerly waiting this weekend's derby match.

Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has yet to make his debut in Serie A - and in all probability it will be against Inter when the two teams clash at the San Siro stadium on Saturday evening in the second matchday of the Italian top-flight.It will be a tough first test for the Dutch player, but he wants to rise to the challenge and prove his worth in Serie A."It's surely a nice game for my debut," declared the former Real Madrid player to Milan Channel. "It's a derby game; it will be very tough and nice to play this game for the first time."I know something about Inter, they have equalised in the first matchday. I think that they are a good team, we faced them at Pescara and I think that they're strong."Let's hope we can win. We must build our luck ourselves and we shall try to play a great game."The 26-year-old player recently arrived from Madrid where, having joined them in January, he played a total of 20 league games for Real, scoring eight goals in all, before finding himself surplus to requirements once Florentino Perez launched his second galactico era.

AC Milan Boss Leonardo 'Optimistic' Regarding Ronaldinho & David Beckham

The Brazilian tactician discussed the two high-profile stars.

AC Milan coach Leonardo is confident that star playmaker Ronaldinho can return to his best at San Siro. The player endured a difficult first season at the club, but looked in excellent form during this season's opening match win against Siena."I know him very well. Last year he was not able to give his best, but this year he can improve," he told Spanish magazine Don Balon.He's an incredibly talented player, one of the best in the world. I am optimistic about his future at Milan."Meanwhile, the future of David Beckham remains unresolved, as he seems certain to play to Europe in January, with a return to the Rossoneri a potential option for the World Cup hopeful."His experience in Milan was positive, both for him and for us. It was a real friendship," he suggested."Now David is back at the Los Angeles Galaxy, we will see what happens in the future, anything is possible."

Chelsea Boss Carlo Ancelotti Praises AC Milan

The ex-Rossoneri boss is delighted that the Italian giants look competitive this season.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti was impressed watching AC Milan defeat Siena 2-1 on Saturday. The 50-year-old, who was the tactician at San Siro from 2001 to 2009, complimented the team on their positive start to the new campaign. "I saw a great Milan. Congratulations to everyone," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.The Rossoneri tactician rated his former side a seven-and-a-half out of 10, claiming they looked in excellent shape for this early stage of the season. Their current boss Leonardo, won his official coaching debut, despite scepticism over the Brazilian's management abilities.Ancelotti has also been enjoying success in England, leading the Blues to a perfect start in the Premier League with nine points from their opening three matches.Milan have a difficult test coming up next weekend, as they face city-rivals and current Serie A champions Inter.

The Moment Of Truth Has Arrived For Milan Ace Ronaldinho - Cafu

The Brazilian is confident that Ronaldinho will shine this year.

Former AC Milan defender Cafu believes this season will be Ronaldinho's big chance to prove his critics wrong.'Dinho has lost weight over the summer and has looked sharp in training. The play-maker put together an excellent performance in the 2-1 win over Siena on Saturday, and expectations are high.Cafu, who played alongside Ronaldinho at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, believes his former Selecao team-mate will silence his naysayers if he fulfills his true potential."This is the year of truth for both Ronaldinho and [Alexandre] Pato," Cafu told Il Corriere Della Sera."It all depends on them as to whether they go to the World Cup. I advise them to do well in their careers and to stamp their hallmark at Milan."Ronaldinho has great potential, and I hope he continues to show it everyday."

Milan To Swap Massimo Oddo For West Ham United's Julien Faubert

Milan are looking towards the Hammers defender, who could arrive in a swap deal for Oddo

Milan are ready to open up some dialogue with West Ham United that could see Massimo Oddo swap places with Julien Faubert.According to Sportmediaset.it, West Ham are keen on Oddo, who has been tipped with an exit from the San Siro. The Italian doesn't seem to be a part of Leonardo's plans, and he is behind Gianluca Zambrotta and Luca Antonini in the pecking order for the right-sided slot.An exchange deal with West Ham seems the solution. Voices claim Milan are keen on Faubert and a straight-swap with no co-ownership clauses is the solution. Faubert spent half of last season on loan at Real Madrid where he made little impact before returning to east London.The move depends on Oddo's will to leave though. He wants to fight for his place, and he recently turned down the chance to go back to his former club Lazio. Unless the Italian leaves, Faubert is unlikely to arrive.

Calcio Debate: Is Andrea Pirlo's Milan Stay Good For The Club?

Andrea Pirlo has dismissed all rumours surrounding his future and has committed himself to AC Milan.

Remember the Kaka-to-Manchester City transfer saga in January: Kaka fluttering the Milan shirt, the Milan fans protesting against the move, Silvio Berlusconi forced to negotiate and then breaking off talks while Kaka proclaimed his love for the club and his relief at having put the entire matter behind him?
Andrea Pirlo's broken Chelsea move this summer assumed a similar tone. No, this wasn't a mega-headline making, website crashing news that the entire world stopped to watch unfold, but until Pirlo's and Milan's declarations last Wednesday that Chelsea's offer has been declined for good, no one was quite sure how this would end.
Milan's obvious financial problems made Pirlo’s Chelsea switch likely, Carlo Ancelotti had reactivated Pirlo's career at the start of the century and was eager to do something similar with him at Chelsea and the player himself was ambiguous in his quotes.
Pirlo's eventual Milan stay is almost, but not quite, 'a new signing'. On other occasions this cliche might appear ridiculous but with the way things have unfolded at Milan, who have missed out on their first choice summer targets due to their inability to cough up the money, the World Cup winner's decision to carry on for the Rossoneri must indeed be something to be relieved about.
Apparently Good…..
The reasons of course are plenty. Pirlo is one of the best and proven players at Milan who still has the ability to rescue himself and the team. A deep-lying playmaker of marvellous vision and remarkable balance of play, Pirlo has the ability to build up the game from the back and give the team more balance and stability.

Chelsea wouldn't have gained much had Pirlo been signed by Ancelotti - after all, the Blues already have enough creative midfielders - but Milan would have lost a vital piece of their jigsaw. New coach Leonardo has declared that he will play in an attacking 4-3-1-2 formation implying that Pirlo will be one of three midfielders behind Ronaldinho.
Although Hernanes had been linked with a move to Milan and is still supposed to be a long-term replacement for the former Inter player, whether he can instantly click or not remains an issue.
But Still…..
Pirlo’s performance can be both good and bad and this can make discussions on him ‘divisive’. In the last two years the 30-year-old has featured in 59 Serie A matches and 11 times in Europe, missing several games last season due to injury. There have been mixed performances for Milan: on the basis of some Pirlo still remains a world class playmaker with devastating qualities while on the basis of others he is past his prime.
Although Pirlo's performance for Milan over the past two seasons has been, shall we say, satisfactory, it has been more symptomatic of the club's downward spiral than anything. Il Diavolo's Champions League success in 2007 was their last major trophy and since then the wheels have been coming off.
Moreover, Pirlo is one of those 'old Milan players'. The joke that Milan is a retirement home is not funny anymore as a number of first-teamers are into their 30s or near about. Milan ought to have taken care of this situation long ago by grooming young blood and integrating them into the system but Silvio Berlusconi's short-sightedness intervened.
Pirlo's departure to Chelsea would have garnered Milan around €20 million plus perhaps a second rate player (possibly striker Claudio Pizarro). These days Milan need to sell to buy and with the €20 million Leonardo could have signed someone younger, possibly Hernanes.

The Sao Paulo midfielder might be untried and untested at the ‘highest level’ but is said to be equivalent to Kaka of 2003. Milan's need for young and imaginative players would have been quenched slightly with the arrival of the 24-year-old, who as one respected South American football journalist reckons, "has immense technical quality and is quick but will have to learn to position himself a bit higher up the field."
But to compare Hernanes and Pirlo at this stage would an exercise in futility: one is a proven world class player who can still go strong for two or three more years while the other is a talent still in Brazil. At the moment Milan need strong characters who can rejuvenate themselves as well as the team and Pirlo is one of those players.
Pirlo is a reliable playmaker who can and will deliver the goods and with Alexandre Pato and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar upfront and Ronaldinho playing as a trequartista, his contribution to the revival of Milan will be vital.

THE WORD OF THE COACH

Ahead of the TIM Trophy, coach Leonardo spoke: 'The arrival of Huntelaar and Roma certainly gave us a big charge. The results are always important, so tomorrow we'll try to give our best.'

At the end of the training today coach Leonardo spoke about the Tim Trophy which will be played tomorrow at Pescara between Milan, Juve and Inter:
MILAN - 'The arrival of Huntelaar and Roma has certainly charged us up, we have welcomed them with an applause. New arrivals always bring extra motivation. As for the past week, we have been working hard, but today we worked with a good intensity so I am satisfied.'
'Huntelaar and Roma have shown good personality, they have inserted themselves well and they're available for tomorrow. Huntelaar hasn't trained consistently lately, he needs to prepare, he'll come with us and then we'll see how we use him.'
'In all these pre-season friendlies the important thing was to understand what we have available, certainly the results are always important, so tomorrow we'll try to give our best.'
'It's always an important appointment, and winning always helps. My intention is to continue with enthusiasm. The team is great and only time can tell what this Milan team can achieve. We are confident because we are sure you can't take away what Milan have inside: the desire to win always. We will go on slowly, calmly, with confidence and I'm sure we'll do well.'
'I feel the team is mine, I feel it very close to me, there's already a precise group identity and a consolidated relationship between us: the important thing will be to transform these positive things into results on the pitch.'

Barcelona Ponder Move For Milan Defender Felipe Mattioni

The young Brazilian is reportedly on the radar of the Catalan club...

13 Aug 2009- Barcelona are understood to be in the market for a right-sided defender and have now added Felipe Mattioni to their shortlist, according to RAC1.The 20-year-old joined Milan from Gremio in January but he has found playing time very reduced at the Serie A outfit.Reports in Spain claim Barcelona will turn their attention to Mattioni should they fail in their quest to land Emmanuel Eboue, their main target, from Arsenal.It is believed Mattioni would cost Barcelona no more than €3 million and that his transfer to the Camp Nou would be helped by the fact that the young right-back is represented by Mino Raiola, who has already taken Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell to the Spanish giants this summer.When asked by Primer Toc about Barcelona's alleged interest, Mattioni noted "there is a possibility" he could move to the Champions League holders in what he described as a "dream" move.

Flavio Roma: Milan Is A Top Level Team

The veteran goalkeeper is looking forward to beginning his first season with the Rossoneri following his move from France yesterday...

13 Aug 2009 - New Milan goalkeeper Flavio Roma is ready to rise to the challenge and claim the first team place as the season gets underway.Roma is also confident that the negative results obtained by the Rossoneri throughout the pre-season do not reflect the true value of the team and that they will manage to bounce back when the official games begin."I followed Milan's pre-season and I would define it as eventful; a bit for the continuous movements the team had to do and a bit for the results obtained during the friendly games," declared the former Monaco player to Milan Channel."I spoke with the players and this is a top level team. The players are aiming high. The team is strong, we have nothing to worry about."I know that it will be a battle between me and [Marco] Storari, because [Christian] Abbiati is still injured and [Nelson] Dida has some problems, but then it will be the coach to decide."The 35-year-old spent the last eight years playing in France with Monaco, earning a total of 247 league appearances as well as three caps for the Italian national team.

Thiago Silva Excited About Milan's Prospects For The Season

The former Fluminense defender is upbeat about the Rossoneri's chances in the coming months after a disappointing pre-season...

13 Aug 2009- Thiago Silva joined Milan from Fluminense last January in a €10 million deal, but was unable to play for the first-team due to the limit on non-EU players. However, he is now ready and raring to go for Leonardo's side after a bright pre-season for him personally in which he scored twice."To arrive in a great club like Milan was my dream," Thiago Silva told Il Corriere dello Sport."I'm happy because I've found an excellent atmosphere here; I'm training with lots of champions and I have the chance to learn a lot."[Scoring goals from defence] happened there too, but I have had more opportunities here than I had in three years at Fluminense. I have the advantage that Leonardo always wants me in the opposition penalty area when we have a set-piece."The 24-year-old went on to praise Ronaldinho's commitment, as the former World Player of the Year attempts to rediscover his form of 2005/06."He is working hard. It has been some time since I saw him concentrate so hard. He is very attentive to what he does on the pitch, but also to what he does off it. Like me, he has a tendency to fatten a bit, so we must always be on a diet."While the Rossoneri consider moves for Gareth Bale and Royston Drenthe, Thiago Silva went on to make his own suggestion for Milan's search for a left-back."Junior Cesar. He's a friend of mine, we played together at Fluminense - now he has gone to Sao Paolo. He would do well in Europe," he concluded.

Milan Target Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe

The Rossoneri are weighing up a loan deal for the former Feyenoord man...

13 Aug 2009- Milan are considering a host of players to solve their left-sided problems, but believe that Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe is one of the best solutions.Though Gareth Bale remains their first choice target, if a deal cannot be pushed through, Milan will return to los Merengues for another of the Spanish club’s Dutchmen, having signed Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from the Madrid club last week.Although no official contact has yet been made between the clubs over Drenthe, who can fill in anywhere down the left flank, Il Corriere dello Sport suggests that Milan will sound Real Madrid president Florentino Perez out over a loan move in the coming hours.Milan vice president Adriano Galliani is thought to be prepared to pay €3-4 million to take the 22-year-old on loan for a season, with an option to make the move permanent for around €7-8m at the end of the season.The Rossoneri's final major transfer push will begin next week after the Trofeo Tim, and they are expected to move for Gareth Bale and Lorenzo De Silvestri. A move for the latter may be put on hold because the 21-year-old picked up an injury while playing for the Italian Under-21s and Milan will wait to see the extent of the damage.

Manchester United May Not Have Acquired Cristiano Ronaldo If Ronaldinho Had Signed

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the sensational Portuguese superstar might not have set foot in Old Trafford, had the deal for the Brazilian gone through successfully...

13 Aug 2009- Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo may never have had the pleasure of plying his trade with the Red Devils if the English club had succeeded in signing Ronaldinho."I thought we'd clinched the deal [for Ronaldinho], but when I flew to Paris to speak with him, the goalposts seemed to have moved somehow," the Scot is quoted by The Irish Independent as saying."His people complained to me that it didn't seem as though they were getting the same deal we'd previously agreed."The next thing I know, he was at Barcelona the following day."It was a big disappointment at the time," he reminisced."But we signed Cristiano Ronaldo that very same summer and perhaps we wouldn't have ended up with Ronaldo had we got Ronaldinho."However, the 67-year-old manager admitted that the club would have monitored the young Ronaldo, since the Red Devils had agreed to a pre-contract arrangement with Sporting."We probably would have kept tabs on Ronaldo, though, because we had a pre-contract agreement with Sporting," 'Fergie' mused."However, maybe we wouldn't have accelerated the Ronaldo deal in the way we did."Ronaldo, who joined the Manchester outfit in 2003, was handed the famous No. 7 jersey upon his arrival. After six years of terrorising defences in the Premier League, the player left for greener pastures when he signed for los Blancos in a deal worth about €93 million.Sir Alex spoke about the loss that the club faces."Obviously, Cristiano is a big loss in terms of the goals that he gave us, but we'll just have to find them from somewhere else and our tactics will adjust accordingly," he concluded.

OFFICIAL: Milan Release Kalac & Bring In Monaco’s Flavio Roma

13 Aug 2009- Reports earlier this week indicated that Zeljko Kalacs’s future at Milan was up in the air, following an inconsistent pre-season that has seen him slide down the goalkeeping ranks at the club.Consequently, the Rossoneri were strongly linked to Flavio Roma of Monaco as a direct replacement, and as of only a few hours ago, the move has officially been announced.The San Siro outfit released a statement on their official website, which read, "AC Milan announce that by consensus, it has decided to terminate the working relationship with the player Zeljko Kalac. We thank him for what he has done for the Rossoneri in the past, and we wish him all the very best for the future. "AC Milan also would like to announce that it has acquired the full rights to Flavio Roma from Monaco, who has signed a contract until June 30 2010."Roma managed to make 247 appearances for his now-former French club from 2001 to 2009. At 35 years of age, he isn’t aiding the Rossoneri’s cause of lowering the average age of their squad.