THE RIGHT REACTION

8/9/2009- Milan leave the "Da Luz" partially satisfied. The match against Benfica saw a team that reacted very well to the disadvantage. It's important to fight until the 90th minute. Pato and Nesta did well.

MILAN - After the defeats in the United States a draw after 90 minutes was needed. It gives a bit of morale and shows a group that doesn't give up. 3 minutes from the end Milan were a goal down, but tenacity and desire not to lose made sure that there was a right reaction. The Eusebio Cup goes to Rui Costa's Benfica, but only after a long series of penalties.
Leonardo, compared to the expected formation, had to do without Mathieu Flamini. The Frenchman was forced to pull out of the match with a tendon problem. In his place Jankulovski in midfield and Favalli in defence.Benfica started strongly, with two initiatives by Cardozo and Ramires which caused Storari problems. The Rossoneri tried to react, but in the first half there were few playable balls for Pato and Borriello. Both were forced to retreat in turns to take part in the action.The first 45 minutes went by without real emotions. Leonardo's formation had a few sparse chances only in the end of the first half, when first Thiago Silva and then Borriello failed to take advantage of a couple of chances. In the first case the Brazilian couldn't control the ball well, alone in front of Quim; in the second case Borriello couldn't head a good ball coming in from the left. It ended 0-0.
The second half saw a more aggressive and more temperamental Milan. Also because the team had to come back from a goal down. The 1-0 goal, in fact, came in the 58th minute thanks to a cross from the left wing (after losing a ball) by Shaffer. Thiago Silva and Favalli tried to get the ball, but they were a bit late; in the middle there was Cardozo who jumped and headed the ball, which went in at the far post.The team's reaction was there. Ronaldinho tried to invent something and sent forward a few interesting balls forward. On one of these Zambrotta sent in a powerful cross, which was deflected out for a corner.Milan continued to try and attack, doing so aggressively, not always with order, but 3 minutes before the end they reaped the benefits. Antonini won the ball in his half, played the ball forward, picking out Pato's run perfectly; the striker disoriented Luisao with a series of dribbles, played a low ball in for Borriello, who was anticipated with a slide by Sidnei, which deflected the ball in Benfica's goal: it's the 1-1 goal which sent the teams to penalties.
The penalty series was infinite, because first Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva missed for Milan, and Fabio Coentrao and Weldon for Benfica. The penalties went to sudden death, and Zambrotta had a chance to win the game after Patric's error, but he missed. Sidnei and Antonini scored and missed respectively in the last round. Benfica won 6-5.

Chelsea are set to pay £45m for AC Milan striker Alaxandre Pato and then loan him back to the Italian club for a year.

CARLO ANCELOTTI will pay an astonishing £45million for Alexandre Pato - and then loan him back to AC Milan for a year!

Chelsea will happily smash the transfer record for a teenager, previously the £27.5m paid for Wayne Rooney, but allow Pato to stay in Italy until after the World Cup.
Ancelotti believes his former club will now do business after rejecting all of Chelsea's earlier approaches for the 19-year-old, tipped to be one of the world's best.
A Stamford Bridge insider said: "Ancelotti's so keen to capture Pato that he will pay a club record fee and still allow the kid to stay at Milan for another season. That tells you how highly he values him."
The Blues boss gave Pato his big break in Italian football after he was signed from Brazil's Internacional in 2007.
And Pato is indebted to Ancelotti for that and has a great loyalty to him as a result.
The source added: "The boy would come to Chelsea right now but Milan have just sold Kaka and do not want to lose another top star.
"That's why this deal could make all the difference. Milan get their money up front and keep his services for one more season and have plenty of time to scout a replacement.
"Chelsea are hoping it is the perfect deal both for them and for Milan."
Pato scored 18 goals in Serie A last term and has also established himself in the Brazil national team.
Chelsea will double his wages to £100,000 a week to cement the deal.
He is currently on just over £50,000 a week at Milan - one of their lowest paid stars.

Milan Tell Chelsea That Pato Is Not For Sale

9 Aug 2009- Chelsea have reportedly been chasing Milan star Alexandre Pato, but the Italians have unequivocally stated that their striker is not for sale.The Rossoneri released an official press release, claiming that there were no current negotiations in progress for the player and he would not be leaving the club under any circumstances."With regard to the items circulated this morning by the British press, AC Milan clarifies and reaffirms that there is no negotiation on Alexandre Pato, and that the player is absolutely unsellable," read a brief statement on the club's official website.The Blues were set to launch a €52.5 million bid for the services of the Brazilian starlet, who scored 15 goals in Serie A last season. The Premier League giants were even willing to loan the player back to the Rossoneri for one more campaign if the deal went through.However, Milan have poured cold water on those rumours, insisting the player is vital for the club's plans.The 19-year-old is set to be part of the Selecao squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Leonardo Encouraged Despite Milan's Defeat To Benfica In Eusebio Cup

9 Aug 2009- Milan were defeated 6-5 on penalties by Benfica last night, after a 1-1 draw in normal time, to deal the Rossoneri another pre-season blow, but coach Leonardo remained typically upbeat."Apart from the first few minutes, the defence played well, the two centre backs are finding a mutual understanding," the coach told La Gazzetta Dello Sport."I saw some good movement up front, although Pato needs to improve physically. [Ronaldinho] needs to do more and be more consistent," he continued, warning 'Dinho' that he owes no allegiance to his Brazilian compatriot with multimillion signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar waiting for his chance."I was pleased with our reaction in the second half. Considering the hard work we put in during the week and the absentees, on balance it [the game] was positive."After a disastrous pre-season so far, including defeats to Inter and Chelsea, Leonardo has his work cut out ahead of the new campaign.
The Rossoneri's actions in the transfer market are not yet over, however, and there could be new defensive arrivals at Milanello before the start of the season.

Chelsea Launch Mega 'Buy & Loan' Move For Milan Star Pato

9 Aug 2009- According to the News of the World, Chelsea are ready to pay Milan a sum of €52.5 million for the services of Alexandre Pato.The Blues have long been linked with the Brazilian teenager, especially since Carlo Ancelotti, the former Rossoneri boss, took over at Stamford Bridge earlier this summer.The Italian giants have thus far resisted all approaches for their up-and-coming striker, but Chelsea believe they have come up with a deal that will please all parties.It is claimed that the Londoners are willing to buy Pato outright for the aforementioned €52.5m and then loan him back to Milan immediately for the 2009-10 season.The Serie A side are worried about cashing in on another star so soon after selling their talismanic playmaker, Kaka, to Real Madrid, but the Pensioners' new proposal would calm some of those fears.A NOTW source said, "The boy would come to Chelsea right now but Milan have just sold Kaka and do not want to lose another top star."That's why this deal could make all the difference. Milan get their money up front and keep his services for one more season and have plenty of time to scout a replacement."Chelsea are hoping it is the perfect deal both for them and for Milan." Both clubs are yet to comment on these latest reports.

Carlo Ancelotti: Chelsea Don't Need Andrea Pirlo

8 Aug 2009- Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has downplayed his new sides inability to lure Andrea Pirlo from AC Milan by suggesting that the Italian would have inflated the already healthy Chelsea squad list.Citing the importance of the experienced squad that he has inherited, the former AC Milan boss suggested that Pirlo may have been unnecessary in the long-run.
"I think it's an advantage that we have the same group, same players, as they have a very good relationship," Ancelotti stated.
"Zhirkov is a very good international and Sturridge is a young player while Turnbull is a good goalkeeper - if we don't need to buy, then we stay with these players," he added, referring to Chelsea's new players.
"It is more important not to lose a player. Andrea Pirlo was not necessary, he was necessary for Milan."
Chelsea take on Manchester United tomorrow in the Community Shield, but new signing Yuri Zhirkov is not expected to feature as he is suffering from a knee injury.

Angry Milan Fans Tell Partying Ronaldinho To ‘Go To Bed’

8 Aug 2009- Following the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid, it has been made very clear that Milan are relying on Ronaldinho to be the team’s creative force and, if this is to happen, he will need to rediscover his world-beating form of a few years ago.The 29-year-old had a rather disappointing first year at San Siro, with some people claiming that the playmaker was not focused enough on his football, instead spending too much time out on the town enjoying himself.Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi reportedly made Ronaldinho stand on top of a table in front of shocked team-mates a few weeks ago and promise everyone that he would be a model professional and lead the club to success.Rossoneri fans are also well aware of the club’s wishes, and according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, took matters into their own hands when they saw Ronaldinho partying in Milan deep into the early hours of Thursday morning.Ronaldinho had been out on the town with compatriot Nelson Dida at the Festival Latinoamericano where famous Brazilian samba singer Neguinho had been performing. After the show ended, at gone 01:30 AM, Ronaldinho and Dida were spotted talking, having fun and dancing with friends. Some supporters asked the duo for autographs, but another group were visibly angry and started shouting at Ronaldinho and Dida to return home and go to bed because it was late and they had to train in a few hours.The pair listened to the advice of the tifosi, and returned to their homes rather than stay and risk a nasty situation.

Milan Prepare Move For San Lorenzo Ace Gonzalo Bergessio

8 Aug 2009 Milan- Despite signing Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Milan are preparing to make another move for a forward, with San Lorenzo star Gonzalo Bergessio in their sights, according to sportmediaset.it.After a failed spell at Benfica, Bergessio returned to his Argentine homeland in 2008. Since returning to his native country, his impressive form has rewarded him with a call-up to the national team by Diego Maradona.It is believed that Milan have now joined Catania and Villarreal in the race for the 25-year-old striker, who is valued at around the €4.5 million mark.Bergessio is considered the perfect alternative to Alexandre Pato as the supporting act for Huntelaar, although the 25-year-old has a fine scoring record himself, finding the back of the net twice in three caps for Argentina.

Andrea Pirlo: I Rejected Chelsea Because Milan Can Win The Scudetto

8 Aug 2009 Milan- Andrea Pirlo has explained that if he didn't believe Milan could win the Serie A title this season, he would have quit the club to join Chelsea.The 30-year-old was expected to join former Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge this summer, and for a while the transfer looked inevitable.However, this week Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi announced that Pirlo will not be joining Chelsea and will instead be finishing his career at the San Siro.“I knew there was an important offer on the table from Chelsea, and my agent kept me up to date, but I did not spend the summer glued to the telephone,” the ex-Inter man told La Gazzetta dello Sport.“The reason was very simple – I wanted to stay at Milan and never asked to leave. I must also confess that I already knew about what was going to happen three nights before Berlusconi flew in.“Did Ancelotti take it well? Well, not really. He was disappointed, but he understood.“Something should be made very clear: if I thought Milan’s objective was just a decent placement, I would be at Chelsea right now. I want to win. These are not just words - I am convinced it is possible.”Despite the signing of Klaas Jan Huntelaar from Real Madrid on Thursday, many people still feel it is going to be a rough season for Milan, but Pirlo will hope to prove them all wrong.

I Like Huntelaar A Lot, Milan Will Do Well - Former Goalscoring Legend Prati

8 Aug 2009 Milan-With the arrival of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and the confirmation of Andrea Pirlo's stay, Milan fans may have regained some optimism ahead of the new season.
Former goalscoring legend Pierino Prati, who scored a hat-trick for Milan in the 1969 Champions Cup final against Ajax, talked about the Rossoneri's objectives for the coming season.
On Huntelaar, he said, speaking to IlSussidiario.net: "I like Huntelaar a lot, he's the kind of player Milan needed. He's physically strong, has a strong goalscoring sense, he's always scored everywhere, also in his last difficult season at Real Madrid. He likes to be close to the goal, just what Milan needed. He also has a good international experience.
"Pirlo? He can still give a lot to Milan. He's one of the best midfielders in his role, especially if Leonardo can insert him in an interesting playing system. I think he will still be decisive for the team."
On Kaka's departure: "Certainly Kaka's sale was not a small thing, but I think Milan have bought two very strong players in Huntelaar and Thiago Silva. And then they will also recover players like [Marco] Borriello, [Gennaro] Gattuso, and [Alessandro] Nesta who were almost always out last season. And the transfer period isn't over yet..."
Asked what Milan's chances are in Serie A and the Champions League, he said: "The strongest rivals are always Inter and Juventus, but Milan are competitive, if they can find a positive tactical set-up they have all it takes to compete with those two clubs. Milan are capable of winning the Scudetto.
"In the Champions League there are teams that are stronger on paper, like Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Milan can do well, even without winning the trophy itself. They can go far also in Europe.
"I wouldn't criticise Milan as bitterly as some fans have been doing. They always expect the maximum, but you also have to admit that Milan have made football history in the last twenty years, winning many important trophies. We must not forget that."

DANIEL JARQUE: MILAN'S CONDOLENCES

8/8/2009MILAN - The club and fans of A.C. Milan are close to the Jarque family after the sudden loss of Daniel Jarque. The 26-year-old midfielder, captain of Espanyol, was at the Coverciano training camp with his team. The player apparently had a heart attack while on the phone with his girlfriend in his room.

BENFICA-MILAN ENDS IN PENALTIES: 6-5

8/8/2009LISBON - In the friendly played in Portugal against Benfica, Milan came away unbeaten after 90 minutes, but are beaten on penalties. 6-5 for the Lusitans, who win the 2009 Eusebio Cup. Cardozo gave the Portuguese side the lead in the 58th minute, while Sidnei scored an own goal to make it 1-1 in the 87th minute.

ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM: PIRLO AND ZAMBROTTA CALLED UP

8/8/2009MILAN - Two Rossoneri were included in the list of 20 players called up by Marcello Lippi for the national team's friendly on 12 August against Switzerland in Basel: Gianluca Zambrotta and Andrea Pirlo

ITALIAN SUPERCUP: MILAN REMAIN FIRST WITH 5 VICTORIES

8/8/2009MILAN - After today's victory of Lazio in the Italian Supercup (the Biancocelesti had also won in 1998 and 2000 and therefore capture their third trophy), Milan remain the first Italian club in the number of victories of the event, with 5. Milan won the trophy in 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994 e 2004.

LEONARDO: TODAY'S DECLARATIONS AT MALPENSA AIRPORT

MILAN - At the Malpensa airport, just before the departure for Lisbon, coach Leonardo made a few declarations to the microphones of Mediaset and Milan Channel: "We are going to play in Lisbon, a team who are doing very well in this pre-season. We'll meet Rui Costa, with whom we have experienced some great days. We are still preparing, we continue to work, these matches are useful to continue understanding what aspects we have to improve on. The market? It's open until 31 August."

LEONARDO ON KLAAS JAN HUNTELAAR

8/8/2009MILAN - Here is the judgement of Leonardo on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: "An important player, who has a strong goalscoring sense. He's capable of playing for the team, and finalising the work done by the team. He's a serious and scrupolous professional. I am very happy he has arrived here." 8/8/2009MILAN - Here is the judgement of Leonardo on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: "An important player, who has a strong goalscoring sense. He's capable of playing for the team, and finalising the work done by the team. He's a serious and scrupolous professional. I am very happy he has arrived here."

MILAN ARE IN LISBON

8/8/2009 LISBON - The Rossoneri have landed at the Ortela airport, after a flight of just under two and a half hours. Milan arrived under a temperature of about 27 degrees. The climate is windy. The transfer from the airport to the Corinthia Lisbon Hotel was relatively brief. Cesare Maldini, father of Paolo and a glorious part of the Rossoneri's history, travelled with the team. Cesare and Eusebio both took part in the historic European Final of Wembley of 1963 between Milan and Benfica.