Flamini Happy With Milan Debut

The Frenchman joined the Rossoneri on a free transfer this summer after his contract at Arsenal expired.

The 24-year-old has been tipped by many to be the signing of the summer, and he had an encouraging debut at the heart of the midfield during yesterday evening’s goalless draw against Cremonese.

“Everything went the right way, on the pitch I did not have problems and I’m happy,” said Flamini about the friendly.

“It was just my first game with the Milan shirt and I hope it will be the first in a long line.

“During this week we had a difficult preparation and let’s hope to improve gradually.

“We will now have many games to play and the important thing is to prepare ourselves for the league.”

Milan have struggled badly in Serie A in the last couple of seasons, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

However, following some impressive summer signings including Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Marco Borriello and Flamini himself, many are tipping the Diavoli to be in with a great chance of winning the Scudetto this coming campaign.

Roberto Rossi

Dunga: Ronnie Has Found His Smile Again

The former European and World Footballer of the Year completed his long drawn-out transfer to the Rossoneri from Barcelona last week.

The 28-year-old joined Barca back in 2003, and following a wonderful first three seasons at the club, things started to go wrong.

The trademark smile that Ronnie always used to wear on the field suddenly disappeared, and the last 12 months proved to be the worst of the player’s career as he missed large chunks of the campaign due to injury and poor form.

Having signed for Milan, many believe that Ronaldinho’s smile on the pitch will now return, and Dunga, who is coaching the player for next month’s Olympics says the player has rediscovered his happiness.

"The most important thing is that Ronaldinho is happy and has found his smile,” said the national team boss.

“This makes things easier for everyone.”

Ronaldinho travels to the games in Beijing as one of the Selecao’s three over age players.

Roberto Rossi

Paloschi To Follow Abate To Torino?

Yesterday the Granata pulled off a somewhat surprising coup when they purchased half of Abate’s contract for €2m.

Il Toro are now hoping to continue their Milanese raid by snapping up another young starlet in the form of Paloschi.

The 18-year-old striker is regarded as one of Italy’s best young prospects, and he has been labelled by many as the “new Pippo Inzaghi” due to his predatory instincts inside the penalty area.

Last campaign Paloschi underlined his promise with two goals from seven appearances in Serie A, as well as two more strikes in the Coppa Italia.

However, the starlet has a lot of competition up-front at Milan, and recently asked to be loaned out next season.

Torino President Urbano Cairo is now believed to have made a €2.5m offer in order to acquire Paloschi in a co-ownership agreement. Milan meanwhile would prefer to only release the teenager on loan.

Paloschi is currently on duty for the Italy Under-19 side in the European Championships in the Czech Republic, and he has scored two goals to help the side into Saturday’s final against Germany.

Roberto Rossi

Even Ambrosini Could Play In Central Defence - Galliani

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani reiterated that the club have no intention of buying any new players after Alessandro Nesta's injury.
Adriano Galliani is a man of his word. Ahead of the negotiations to sign Ronaldinho, the Milan vice-president had told journalists that it would be either the Brazilian or bust for the remainder of Milan's transfer campaign. And after El Gaucho's transfer was completed, he confirmed that "Milan's transfer campaign is over."

However, some fans may be hoping he comes back on that decision after the injury occurred to Alessandro Nesta, certainly Milan's best pure central defender.

Galliani talked about this issue today: "We won't buy anyone, because this isn't a serious injury. Let's be calm, the player doesn't need to be operated. Really, there is no new player coming in anymore. At the moment we have six central defenders, so I don't see what the problem is. Our central defenders are Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini, Bonera, Simic, and Digao.

"Favalli can play in central defence, and I think even Ambrosini could play there, so I don't see why, with at least six central defenders, we are still asked to buy players."

While Galliani's words are very reasonable, it is also undeniably true that the likes of Bonera, Simic, Favalli and even Maldini are better known as wing defenders.

Danilo Pochini

Ronaldinho Enthuses Kaka Link-up

Ronaldinho is looking forward to linking up with Kaka this season, and urges his fellow Brazilian to stay at San Siro, as he believes the two of them will have 'a lot of fun'.



An all Brazilian front line consisting of Ronaldinho, Kaka, and Pato is enough to send shivers to even the most resolute of Italian defenders. However, the Rossoneri are having to ward off interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea, in order to keep Kaka in Italy. Ronaldinho, the clubs new number 80, is also playing his part.

Channel4.com quote the former number 10 as saying: "I hope Kaka will stay at Milan for as long as possible, because we are going to have great fun together."

On playing in a team consisting of some of his fellow countrymen, he said: "Milan is not just Ronaldinho-Kaka-Pato, but a whole team, so it is not right to just focus on us."

A statement published on Milan's official website reminded Barcelona fans of Ronaldinho's gratitude to them: "Football is a game, a party, a sport to enjoy. You have to play football with a smile. Thank you for having smiled with me."

Ronaldinho cost Milan £16.7million.

Ronaldinho selects AC Milan number

Milan’s new recruit Ronaldinho has chosen his squad number for the coming season and it’s a surprising selection.

The former FIFA World Player of the Year completed a switch from Barcelona last week and has been given the warmest of receptions at San Siro.

Dinho wore the No 10 shirt at Barcelona, where he secured the Champions League title, but at Milan that number is occupied by Clarence Seedorf.

The 28-year-old refused the No 11 shirt that Alberto Gilardino has vacated after leaving for Fiorentina.

Instead, Ronaldinho has gone for the No 80 shirt to represent the year that he was born – 1980.

The demand for Ronaldinho replica shirts is overwhelming and the Diavolo are expecting record sales of personalised shirts.

Pato: With Ronaldinho we can win it all

Alexandre Pato trusts with Ronaldinho by his side he can win the Olympics, Scudetto and UEFA Cup.

The Milan starlet will be in Beijing with his new club teammate next month for Brazil’s Olympic squad and believes it’ll be the start of a beautiful partnership.

“With this team, we can win it all. Kaka and Ronaldinho are both very important for Milan, but they play different roles,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Ronaldinho tends to spread out wide more and if Kaka does too, then they’ll both give me the ball in the centre to score. Easy, eh?”

The Selecao trio has sparked a wave of enthusiasm with more than 10,000 season tickets sold since Dinho’s £18m move from Barcelona was confirmed.

“I am ready to train up as a centre-forward. If Carlo Ancelotti sees me in this role, then that is not a problem for me,” continued Pato.

“I am young and want to learn many things, the secrets of the sport. I scored nine goals in half a Serie A season, but I know I can do more. Much more.”

It will be his first full campaign with the Rossoneri, as due to age restrictions he could not sign the contract until he had turned 18.

“The most difficult thing to face was tactical, as in Brazil I was accustomed to running forward and waiting for the long ball from a teammate.

“Ancelotti asked for a different movement, as I have to go towards the ball and then run into space. It took me a while, but I’ve got it now.

“I am happy the way my first Italian season went, but Milan were unable to qualify for the Champions League and that made me very angry. Now I want to help my team get back into the competition.”

Now Pato will have the support of Kaka and Ronaldinho, he pledges to bring a Selecao sensation to San Siro.

“I haven’t changed, but I have grown up and learned what it means to play football in Italy. I can guarantee I’ll improve. You haven’t seen the real Pato yet.”