Leonardo Wary Of Japanese Threat

Milan manager and former Brazilian World Cup winner Leonardo talked about the Rossoneri's probable opponents in the Club World Cup semi-finals, Urawa Red Diamonds.

While everyone seems to be taking for granted that AC Milan-Boca Juniors will be the final of the Club World Cup in Japan, few people know that, before the final, there will be a semi-final against a club from another continent, most probably Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan.

Milan manager Leonardo, who has had experience in Japanese football as a player, claims the J-League champions-elect are not a team to be underestimated.

"We must be careful of Urawa Red Diamonds, they will be playing at home and they'll have a lot of enthusiasm," he said.

"I know them well because I've played in the Japanese league for two years so I can tell you they are the strongest team in the nation. They have ten international Japanese players in the squad, so we'll have to keep an eye on them.

"We all know that Milan and Boca are stronger, and both won't want to miss this chance to win an important trophy, but in football, especially in these brief tournaments, surprises are always around the corner," Leonardo concluded.

Ancelotti Wants World Club Cup Victory

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has spoken of his desire to win next month’s prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

The Club World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, is contested between the champion clubs from all of the continental confederations.

Milan qualified courtesy of their 2-1 European Champions League final victory over Liverpool last May, and go into the tournament in Yokohama as the hot favourites.

“We have high hopes for this Club World Cup and we still remember the defeat to Boca Juniors in 2003,” the Diavolo boss admitted.

“We really want to take the Cup and do whatever we can to get our revenge.

“Ronaldo will use these games before the tournament to get into shape so he can give his all in Japan.

“This team needs to get into a winning cycle and every victory is vital at the moment.”

Milan seem set to face Japanese-outfit Urawa Reds in the semi-finals of the competition but Ancelotti ensures that it won’t be an easy game.

“We want to be in the best condition possible, but it won’t be easy because the Japanese side will already be used to the time zone and the atmosphere,” Carletto concluded.

Juve fans miss AC Milan

Juventus fans will not be allowed to travel to Milan to watch Week 14’s crunch encounter.

The Bianconeri usually bring thousands of fans to the San Siro for the battle between two of Italy’s giants, but sanctions have been imposed after the events of November 11.

Away fans are also banned from Torino-Genoa, Atalanta-Napoli, Fiorentina-Inter and Siena-Lazio.

Atalanta’s Curva Nord will be shut until March 31, 2008 and will be empty for the first time as the Orobici host Napoli on December 2.

There are also limitations in Serie C for supporters of Salernitana, Taranto, Venezia, Verona, Viareggio and Perugia.

Rivera: Pirlo Is As Good As Kaka

Milan legend Gianni Rivera believes that Andrea Pirlo is just as good as Kaka, while he also offers his take on the recent refereeing controversies.

The winner of this year’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award is set to be announced next week, and Kaka is the odds-on favourite to win the prize.

“Kaka is one of the most exciting and important players of a generation,” Rivera told Sky Calcio.

“But Pirlo is a player who has consistently achieved great things and I would say that he is just as good.”

Rivera, who won the Golden Ball in 1969 after a mesmerising performance in the European Cup final against Ajax, also spoke about Serie A’s referees.

Juventus and Milan have been particularly damning of the officiating after having numerous costly decisions go against them this season.

“The fact that sides like Milan are complaining is positive because it means that they are human errors,” the original ‘Golden Boy’ claimed.

“I remember the 1971-72 season when we lost the title due to a very debatable penalty.

“It was the final straw and at the end of the game I made some strong accusations that earned me a ban for two months.“There will always be mistakes and we need to avoid reading anything into them.”

THE FIRST ARRIVALS AT MILANELLO

Rossoneri already at work yesterday afternoon at Milanello ahead of Sunday afternoon's game at Cagliari. Gourcuff and Seedorf are back from their national teams.

MILANELLO - Milan was at work yesterday, in a cold Autumn afternoon at the Sports Centre of Milanello for a training session, ahead of the away game on Sunday afternoon at 3pm at the Sant'Elia stadium of Cagliari.

The session started at 3pm on the pitch behind the dressing rooms. Yoann Gourcuff and Clarence Seedorf were back in the morning from their national team.s

The session started with a warming up phase which saw the Rossoneri have a light run around the perimeter of the pitch.

After that the group made some exercizes finalized to improve the agility and ability.

Carlo Ancelotti then divided the Rossoneri in two teams, attack against defence, first one against one and then two against two.

Emerson and Gourcuff trained inside the gym.

The training ended at 4.30pm for everyone.

Today the team will be back to work at 3pm.

Galliani: Pato The Best Youngster In The World

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has described Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato as the “strongest young player in the world”.

The 18-year-old signed for Milan in the summer from Internacional but is ineligible to play competitively until January.

Due to a long-term injury to Ronaldo, the Rossoneri have had to make do for most of the early part of the season with just two strikers; Alberto Gilardino and Filippo Inzaghi.

“With the purchase of Pato, we have decided to get a lad of under 18 years of age, because we are convinced of his value, despite knowing that he was unable to play from the start,” said Galliani.

“With Inzaghi, Gila and Ronaldo, we thought that we would be covered; then there was the unfortunate injury of Ronie.

“Pato could be our attacker for many, many years. We think he is the strongest young player in the world right now.”

Ronaldo returned to first-team training a fortnight ago and is set to make his seasonal debut this weekend against struggling Cagliari.

A STEP AT A TIME

This morning, on his arrival to Via Rosellini for the Lega Calcio meeting, Adriano Galliani talked about the transfer market, Kaká, and Ronaldo. - THE DECLARATIONS OF ADRIANO GALLIANI -

MILAN - Here are the declarations made by Delegate Administrator of Milan Adriano Galliani, on his arrival to the Lega Calcio offices before the General Assembly of Serie A and B:

Zambrotta wants to return to Milan, what do you think about that?
"In January we will not do anything on the market except incorporating Pato. But July is still far away, we'll see what happens. I consider Zambrotta a good player, but I don't know whether Barcelona will sell him. We looked for him back when he was at Bari, then Juventus stepped in with a better offer. He's a player who, if the events of the summer of 2006 hadn't taken place, might have come to Milan. Now two years have passed, let's see what happens at the end of these two years he's been under contract with Barcelona."

But would Zambrotta we useful in Milan's squad?
"I'm not sure, Milan already have a good team. I repeat, Zambrotta is a very good player, but now is not the time to discuss the market, we are only in November and we'll think about the July transfer market later. Milan currently have ten international players in the squad, six italians and four of other national teams."

Kaká's contract?
"Kaká has a contract until 2011, that's four years away and I don't think it's worth bothering whether it expires in 2011 or 2012."

Will Ronaldo start the game on Sunday?
"These decisions are up to the coach, it's he who decides who plays. I think Milan always play with a 4-3-3, so also with Ronaldo's return nothing changes. Whether we have three out-and-out strikers, or two strikers or a playmaker, who by the way is Milan's top scorer, they remain three important players. Ronaldo was already clear to play in Bergamo, then unfortunately the game did not go ahead."

IMMEDIATELY AT WORK

MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by Daniele Bonera to Milan Channel's microphones before today's training:

Daniele, you've returned to Milanello after having played with the National team, what are your feelings?
"I consider all competitions to be important. On a personal level, I'm happy I managed to give my contribution and that we've reached Euro 2008 with the National team. Now that I've returned to Milanello I have to get to work immediately because we have little time to prepare Sunday's game against Cagliari, which won't be an easy one.

You'll meet a Cagliari side who have just changed coach.
"Yes, but Sonetti knows the Cagliari environment very well, the mechanisms are already known. I think he's a very good coach who will be able to field a very competitive team. We'll have to give our best to win, because we need to get points to improve our league position, and we know that to win we have to play well and approach the game with the right mentality."

Now you have two away games.
"Yes, Sunday we go to Cagliari, and a few days later to Lisbon, two away games in quick succession. Then we have two tough home games, first against Juve, then against Celtic, before the Club World Cup. But we have to take it step by step and prepare Sunday's game at Cagliari as best we can."

What are your feelings ahead of the trip to Tokyo?
"They're certainly positive feelings, this team never disappointed expectations in important competitions like the Club World Cup, but also in Tokyo we will certainly find strong teams."

Do you think you will have a prominent role at Euro 2008?
"Personally I hope so, but I think it all depends on the league and only if I play consistently with the Milan shirt will I have more guarantees with the National team."

Galliani: Zambrotta? Not In January

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has rejected media reports that Gianluca Zambrotta may arrive in January but says that a summer switch could be on the cards.

Zambrotta signed for Spanish giants Barcelona last summer from Juventus following the Calciopoli crisis.

However Zambrotta’s wife, Valentina, is said to have become increasingly homesick and is desperate to move back to Italy as soon as possible.

This has led to speculation that Milan were ready to offer the 30-year-old a route back to the peninsula.

“If Zambrotta is going to arrive, it will be in July,” Galliani said today.

“We won’t be making any moves in January. The only activity will be the official transfer of Alexandre Pato as we already have a good squad.”

Milan were interested in signing Zambrotta last summer but due to the uncertainty of the club’s future following Calciopoli, they were unable at the time to make any transfer dealings.

“Zambrotta is a great player. We tried to sign him back when he was at Bari, but Juventus got there first. I thought he would arrive in 2006 if the famous events hadn’t happened,” Galliani sighed.

Ronaldo Finally Ready To Play

Milan fans finally have good reason to celebrate as Ronaldo is due to make his return on the pitch after a long time on the sidelines.

Perhaps even the most optimistic Milan fans were slowly losing hope: Ronaldo's injury lay-off seemed interminable, and while the Brazilian continued to be subjected to a variety of cures, the team slipped quickly down the standings and soon saw Inter become almost unreachable at the top of the table.

While the Scudetto remains a very difficult objective for the Rossoneri, who are 11 points adrift of the top, the fans now have a good reason to cheer: the Fenomeno is by now ready to go back on the pitch again, and will probably be in top shape for the most important appointment, the Club World Cup.

"I am ready to play and now the coach will decide if I play." Ronaldo said. "I do feel like playing, so let's hope I will. Even though I've trained a lot and hard, it's always different during a game, so I hope it all goes well.

"I know when I'm feeling good and when not, if I can beat a defender with my speed, which has always been my characteristic, it means I'm in good shape.

"Recently, as I watched games from the stands, I found myself thinking what I would have done in particular situations, whether I would have reached the ball when I saw someone couldn't get to it, and so on. It's always hard to stay our due to injury."

Ronaldo also talked about the upcoming match against Cagliari, in which he might play from the start. The Sardinian team also happens to be the team the Brazilian scored his last two goals against.

"Let's see if it brings me good luck to play against them again," Ronaldo continued, "it's never an easy fixture to play. I think my great speciality is scoring goals, but I can also do other things.

"Our objectives? I'm sure this league season will still change a lot, certainly Inter are doing well, but the season is still very long, there are many strong teams, let's wait and see."

Zambrotta To Milan, Daniel Alves To Barca?

Gianluca Zambrotta is once again being linked with a move to Milan, with El Mundo Deportivo claiming that Barcelona will replace him with Sevilla star Daniel Alves.

Zambrotta signed for the La Liga giants last summer from Juventus following the Calciopoli crisis.

However the 30-year-old’s wife, Valentina, is said to have become increasingly homesick and is desperate to move back to Italy as soon as possible.

Zambrotta has been steady rather than spectacular during his time at Barca, and it appears that the club are lining up a replacement in the form of the explosive Sevilla right-back Daniel Alves.

The 24-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best wing-backs in world football and his club refused a monumental offer from Chelsea in the summer.

However it seems inevitable that Alves will leave at the end of this current season, and Barca are the current favourites to sign him.

This would then grant Zambrotta his wish of moving back to Italy, and European Champions Milan have never hidden their desire for the ex-Bari man.

Ronaldo Tells Ancelotti: I Am Ready

Milan superstar Ronaldo has declared that he is ready to step onto the field and is expecting to play against Cagliari this weekend.

El Fenomeno has not featured this season due to injury but he returned to training two weeks ago and was in the Milan squads for the matches against Shakhtar Donetsk and Atalanta.

In the game at Bergamo it was planned for him to come on as a second-half substitute, however due to violence in the stands the match was abandoned after just eight minutes.

“I am ready,” Ronaldo stated on Milan channel.

“At Bergamo I was called-up because I was ready and now I wait for another call-up because I feel ready to play.”

The 31-year-old played in a United Nations charity match on Monday evening, organised to raise money for anti-poverty projects in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

"Yes, I'm really happy. It was very beautiful because this friendly game has proven to be a great success,” said Ronaldo.

“I must thank all the people who in the last three weeks have purchased all the tickets. I also want to thank all the sponsors and especially the players who have proven to be helpful for this event. It was a nice evening."

Furious Kaka: I Demand Respect

Milan superstar Kaka has hit out furiously at the Italian media after further reports that he is considering to leave Serie A.

Following the horrific violence during the last round of Serie A matches, Kaka revealed that a number of champions, including himself, would start to leave Italy unless the problems were sorted.

Some sections of the press suggested that the 25-year-old was just using the violence as an excuse to quit Italy, something that infuriated the Brazilian.

“This story is beginning to tire me,” raged Kaka.

“After Atalanta-Milan I expressed my thoughts. What is so strange about that?

“If I was unhappy to live in Italy and if I wasn’t content playing for Milan I would have already gone.

“And believe me I would have been able to because every single day I continue to receive interesting offers.

“I am sick and tired of having to defend myself. I hope I do not have to return to this subject. I respect everybody but I also like to be respected too.”

Milan Interested In Podolski

His impressive performance in Germany’s 4-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday showed that the real Lukas Podolski is back. That performance has reportedly aroused the interest of AC Milan.

The Champions League holders have allegedly been alerted to the Bayern striker after his recent top form. The ‘Corriere dello Sport’ has reported than the Milan giants are lining up a potential move for the youngster.

Fiorentina are also reported to be monitoring the situation with regards the former Cologne striker.

Podolski is currently sitting in the shadows of both Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni who lead the Bundesliga scoring charts with nine and eight goals respectively. Poldi currently has a single Bundesliga goal to his name.

However it seems likely that nothing will happen before the summer.

Werder Bremen will also be monitoring the situation, as Klaus Allofs recently revealed Bremen’s interest was ongoing.

Calcio's Oscar hopefuls revealed

The nominees for the Italian Association of Footballers’ Calcio Oscars 2006-07 have been announced.

The awards are voted for by the players of Serie A and will be presented at a ceremony in Milan on January 28, 2008.

World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro won Best Overall Player, Best Italian Footballer and Best Defender last year, but this time around no one player is set to dominate.

Milan’s Andrea Pirlo [pictured] will battle Roma duo Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi for the Best Italian Player prize, while Ballon d’Or favourites Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic compete for Best Foreign Player along with Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu.

Gigi Buffon isn’t eligible for Best Goalkeeper as he was banished to Serie B with Juventus.

The Azzurri shot-stopper has won for five of the last six seasons and Fiorentina’s Sebastien Frey, Inter’s Julio Cesar and ex-Lazio veteran Angelo Peruzzi will look to take advantage.

Fiorentina’s Riccardo Montolivo and Giampaolo Pazzini are up for Best Young Player as is Villarreal hitman Giuseppe Rossi. Marco Materazzi, Philippe Mexes and Alessandro Nesta are the nominees for Best Defender.

The nominations in full:

Best Italian Player: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Francesco Totti (Roma)

Best Foreign Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter), Kaka (Milan), Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina)

Best Goalkeeper: Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina), Julio Cesar (Inter), Angelo Peruzzi (Lazio)

Best Youngster: Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)

Best Defender: Marco Materazzi (Inter), Philippe Mexes (Roma), Alessandro Nesta (Milan)

Galliani: Kaka Is Much Better Than Ibra

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has laughed off claims from Massimo Moratti that Zlatan Ibrahimovic deserves this year’s Ball d’Or, and says that Kaka has been profoundly better than the Inter striker.

Brazilian superstar Kaka is the hot favourite to be handed the prestigious prize at the December 2 ceremony.

However Inter President Massimo Moratti last week insisted that Ibrahimovic, and not Kaka, deserved the award.

“Who says it is too late for Zlatan? He is the best striker in the world,” the Nerazzurri chief told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Ibra deserves the prize more than anyone and he would be a good choice.”

Galliani has finally responded to Moratti’s comments and says that it is absurd to compare Ibra with Kaka.

“In 2007 Kaka was overwhelmingly superior to Ibrahimovic,” said Galliani.

“I just really hope that in December, Kaka ends up with the Golden Ball and the World Club Cup.”

Milan are Europe’s representatives for the prestigious FIFA tournament but are likely to face tough competition from Copa Libertadores champions Boca Juniors.

Atalanta vs. AC Milan to be replayed

The abandoned Atalanta-Milan Week 12 fixture will be replayed behind closed doors and the Orobici have been hit by spectator sanctions.

The tragic death of Gabriele Sandri led to violent protests from sections of the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on November 11.

After just seven minutes, the game was abandoned when the safety glass was broken despite attempts from Atalanta players to quell the protests.

There had been whispers that the game may be awarded as a 3-0 win to Milan, but instead the full 90 minutes will be played at a later date.

Atalanta have come under fire from the Press and the calcio community and the Curva Nord will now remain closed until March 31, 2008.

Meanwhile, Lazio have escaped action over reports of racist taunts aimed at Adrian Mutu during the Biancocelesti’s November 3 clash against Fiorentina.

Video evidence showed that Mutu was the victim of abusive chants, but there was no proof that they were discriminatory.

Juventus have been fined £12,000 after a banner reading “Ibrahimovic the grubby gypsy” was unveiled at Week 11’s Derby d’Italia.

Kaka snubs Ibrahimovic for award

Kaka is the hot favourite to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, but he’d vote for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The trophy goes to the player voted for by tacticians and captains all over the world and the Milan man is expected to pick up both this piece of silverware and the Balon d’Or.

“I would vote for Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world,” he told Brazilian newspaper ‘Globoesporte.’

“Not just for his quality, but also as he has been able to do so well with the Portugal jersey. Lionel Messi is a great player, but he has not won any titles this year.”

The decision is a snub for Inter rival Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as this week Nerazzurri patron Massimo Moratti suggested Ibra was more deserving of the prize than Kaka.

Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup and Kaka hopes to be the captain leading out his Selecao.

“I would love to be the captain of Brazil in 2014. I think I’ll still be playing by then and it would be a marvellous experience, but I am aware for the moment that these are images I can only dream of.

“However, I don’t like being referred to as soft. I prefer to be seen as a winner. It’s true I like things done simply and effectively, with hard work, but that does not mean I am soft on the pitch.”

Kaká: I Am Not Leaving And I Am Not Ungrateful

Kaká has admitted that he has been shocked by the reaction after he said that violence in Italian football could see players leave and reiterated that he is not going anywhere.

The Brazilian stated that he felt that some stars could move abroad and others would be put off playing in Serie A if trouble continued.

That outburst led to speculation that he was considering his own future in Italy amid continuing rumours that Real Madrid and Barça are interested in him.

"I have never said that I want to leave Italy," he explained. I simply said that the spiral of violence could see some important players leaving.

"After calciopoli some players did leave Italy. I, on the other hand, have a long contract with Milan, which runs until 2011, and I am not the least bit ungrateful."

Some critics have also labelled Kaká as ungrateful for attacking Italian football after he has made his name and a generous living and that has hurt him.

"I am surprised," he continued. They have labelled me as ungrateful, but I could not be more grateful to Italian football and Milan.

"If I win the Ballon d'Or then I will use it to thank both Italy and AC Milan.

"I only wanted to send a warning as I was trying to help the football in which I play.

"I was not being critical. It is just that with all the violence, there is a risk that it could affect the decision of players who are considering whether to come to play in Italy."

Alexander Pato's photo

Inzaghi Looking Forward To Yokohama Mission

Milan goalscorer Filippo Inzaghi is looking forward to take part in the only international cup competition he hasn't scored in - the Club World Cup in Japan.

The countdown ahead of Milan's departure for Yokohama, Tokyo, where from 7 to 16 December the Club World Cup will take place, has already begun. Goalscoring machine Filippo Inzaghi gave an interview to Japanese magazine "Sport Hochi Daily" in which he expressed great enthusiasm for this competition, practically the only one he hasn't won yet.

What's more, his 62 goals in international competitions are spread across all imaginable European Cup competitions: Champions League, European Supercup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, and Intertoto Cup. Only a goal in a worldwide club competition is missing.

Milan's first obstacle will most probably be Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds, who should have few difficulties beating the winner of the tie between Iranian club Sepahan and New Zealand's Waikatere.

"I don't know any of Urawa's players, but for me it will certainly be stimulating to play in front of the Japanese public, who will be supporting the strongest club in Asia," Inzaghi said, already taking for granted he will start the eventual semi-final against the Japanese champions.

AC Milan pick Intercontinental team

FIFA have released the provisional 30-man squad that Milan will take to Japan for the Club World Cup in December.

The Rossoneri are representing Europe in the tournament that has replaced the Intercontinental Cup and will challenge Boca Juniors, Waitakere United, Pachuca, Sepahan, Etoile du Sahel and Urawa Red Diamonds.

Alexandre Pato cannot take part because his contract with Milan is only valid from January due to the fact he was still 17 and therefore underage when he penned the deal in August.

Carlo Ancelotti will bring along Ronaldo as he continues the road to recovery along with Ibrahim Ba and Kaka’s younger brother Digao.

The Club World Cup is played in Japan from December 7 to 16.

Milan squad: Dida, Kalac, Fiori, Offredi; Cafu, Maldini, Kaladze, Nesta, Simic, Jankulovski, Favalli, Bonera, Serginho, Digao, Darmian, Oddo; Emerson, Gattuso, Seedorf, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Brocchi, Caraglia, Ba; Inzaghi, Gilardino, Kaka, Aubameyang, Ronaldo.