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.