Riccardo Saponara Profiles & Photo - New Kaka ?

 Riccardo SaponaraDate of birth     21 December 1991
Place of birth     Forlì, Italy
Height     1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)

Senior career
2009-2010     Ravenna     3     (0)
2010–2013     Empoli     65     (9)
2013–     Milan     0     (0)
2013–     → Empoli     5     (1) (until 2/5/2013)


On 21 January 2013, Milan signed the 21-year old Saponara from Empoli

PROFILE By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer
"When I was told about it, I started to cry," said Riccardo Saponara, explaining his immediate response to the news he was being signed by AC Milan. "For me, Milan are football, and Kaka has always been my idol."

The 21-year-old attacker was snapped up by the Rossoneri this week off the back of a superb run of performances for Empoli in Serie B over the past year. He will stay at the Carlo Castellani until the summer before making his dream move to San Siro, where he hopes to emulate his Brazilian hero. And having made the switch from the wing to the central attacking midfield slot, he is already beginning to turn in form similar to Milan’s former No.22.

Having broken into both the Empoli first-team set-up and the Italy Under-21 squad as a wide man, Saponara struggled to make a significant impact on either flank, and there were fears among some that a formerly much talked-about young prospect may end up fizzling out into a journeyman for provincial outfits in Italy’s top two leagues.

But the decision to move Saponara infield has brought tremendous rewards. All of a sudden, a young man whose main threat was little more than trying to get beyond a full-back and get a cross in, has become one of the most attractive midfield talents in the second tier.

It is not only the switch to a freer role which has sparked the former Ravenna man into action. He also puts his upturn in form down to the employment of a mental coach, Roberto Civitarese, who also deals with clients including Liverpool’s Italy international Fabio Borini. Civitarese told Tuttomercatoweb recently that he believes Saponara’s current form and subsequent signing by Milan have been a long time in coming.
   
"I have known him for three years and he immediately gave me the impression that he was destined to do important things," said Civitarese. "He always worked with great seriousness and dedication, and today he is bearing the fruits of his work over the years. He had many obstacles to overcome as he grew, but he took them on with strength and determination, and deserves the attention of a club like Milan."

With great poise, balance, superb timing of a run and a cool eye for a pass, Saponara has been the star man in 2012-13 for an Empoli side transformed from relegation candidates to play-off contenders, and has scored eight league goals on the way. His great skill on the ball has also helped him to catch the eye of the team he has dreamt of representing for so long.

Now he is one step closer to becoming the man he idolised for all those years in the red and black. Many keen followers of Italy’s second tier have labelled Saponara the ‘Kaka of Serie B’, which is a high accolade indeed given the strength of that division this term. If he can make the step up in time, then he may well soon stand alongside the likes of Stephan El Shaarawy, Mattia De Sciglio and M’Baye Niang as a regular in the ‘New Milan’ gradually being built in Lombardy.

As the Rossoneri set about trying to shape their side around the Pirlos, Shevchenkos, Maldinis and Gattusos of the future, they will be hoping they have just acquired their replacement for Kaka in bringing Saponara’s dream to life.


RICKY SAPONARA IS MONTOLIVO'S ADMIRER

Riccardo Saponara has admitted that he’s a big fan of future AC Milan teammate Riccardo Montolivo.

The youngster is currently on loan at  Empoli, but is co-owned by Parma and will make a move to the Rossoneri this summer.

“Montolivo just fascinates me”, he stated in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He simply keeps on improving [all the time] and I hope to do the same [as well].”

Since his arrival from Fiorentina on a free transfer last summer, Montolivo has grown into a key player for the Rossoneri and has received many plaudits for his solid displays in both the Serie A and European competitions.

The 21-year-old also enthused about his visits to the club’s famed training centre and his excitement about playing there in the near future.

“I’ve visited Milanello on two occasions. The first time was after I signed [in January] and the second visit was two weeks ago.”

“The facility is incredible and I was quite fascinated by it. I [really] liked the atmosphere there.”

Although he was signed by Milan in January, the young attacking midfielder was promptly sent back to Empoli to complete his loan deal. Since his arrival at the Serie B side from Ravenna in 2010, Saponara has made nearly 80 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals in the process.

Balotelli to Milan , Why Always Me ?

Mario Barwuah Balotelli is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for A.C. Milan and the Italy national team. Born: August 12, 1990 (age 22), Palermo
Height: 6' 2" (1.89 m)
Weight: 194 lbs (88 kg)
Parents: Thomas Barwuah, Rose Barwuah

 Mario Balotelli says he had no hesitation in deciding to move from Manchester City to AC Milan because it had been a long-term ambition.
The Italy striker is having a medical before a proposed transfer to the seven-time European champions for an initial fee of 22m euros (£19m).
 City signed Balotelli from Inter Milan for £24m in 2010 and he scored 30 goals in 80 appearances for the club.
He helped City to the Premier League title last season, but has managed only three strikes in 20 matches this time round.
Berlusconi has already apologised to Balotelli for suggesting he could be a ‘rotten apple’ in the dressing-room following his well-publicised problems at the Etihad Stadium.
Hundreds of Ultras waving banners and setting off fireworks and flares gathered outside Milan's Giannino Restaurant where he was set to dine with the club's hierarchy.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has described the imminent signing of Mario Balotelli as a 'dream come true'.

Quoted on the club's website, he said: 'I certainly do not have to introduce Mario Balotelli.

'It is a dream come true and something that we all wanted, with the president Silvio Berlusconi at the forefront.

'With the arrival of Mario, we have strengthened our team a lot.

'We have worked so hard and Mario has been in our hearts for a long time and finally we have succeeded in signing him.'

And Massimo Moratti, chairman of Inter Milan who sold Balotelli to City, believes he will be a good signing for their rivals.

‘It was a good business for Milan,’ said Moratti. ‘We already had him, so we didn't need him. He can be useful to Berlusconi for many reasons.’

Liga Champions : Zenith vs AC milan

AC Milan berhasil mencuri tiga poin penuh usai menaklukkan tuan rumah Zenit St Petesburg dengan skor 3-2 di pertandingan kedua putaran grup Liga Champions yang berlangsung di Stadion Petrovskij, Rabu (3/10) malam WIB.

Zenit Starting XI (4-3-3): Malafeev; Anyukov, Hubocan, Lombaerts, Criscito; Fayzulin, Shirokov, Witsel; Bystrov, Kerzhakov, Hulk.
Subs.: Baburin, Alves, Lukovic, Lumb, Zyryanov, Bukharov, Kanunnikov.

AC Milan Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Bonera, Antonini; De Jong, Montolivo; Emanuelson, Boateng, El Shaarawy; Bojan.
Subs.: Amelia, Mexes, Yepes, Nocerino, Flamini, Robinho, Pazzini

Gol penentu kemenangan tim tamu justru terjadi karena bunuh diri yang dilakukan Tomás Hubocan pada menit ke-75. Zenit terpaksa belum bisa mengumpulkan satu poin pun di putaran grup ini.

Berkat kemenangan ini, AC Milan berhak menguasai klasemen sementara Grup C dengan mengumpulkan empat poin. Pertandingan Anderlecht kontra Malaga baru akan berlangsung setelah berita ini diturunkan. Malaga berpeluang menggeser posisi AC Milan jika mampu memenangi pertandingan nanti.

Bojan Krkic mendapat kepercayaan dari pelatih Massimiliano Allegri untuk tampil sebagai starter dalam pertandingan ini. Ia berpasangan dengan Stephan El Shaarawy di sektor depan.

Sementara itu, di kubu lawan, Alex Witsel, pemain baru seharga €40 juta dimainkan sebagai starter. Demikian pula striker Brasil yang sebelumnya bermain untuk FC Porto, Hulk.

Babak Pertama

AC Milan tampil menyerang sejak kick-off babak pertama. Kerjasama Bojan dan Luca Antonini menghasilkan umpan kepada Boateng. Sayang, tendangan pemain asal Ghana itu masih melambung di atas mistar gawang Zenit. Dua menit berselang, Bojan memiliki sebuah peluang bagus, namun ia sudah terjebak dalam posisi off-side.

Gol yang ditunggu-tunggu akhirnya datang pada menit ke-12. Viktor Faizulin mendapat kartu kuning setelah melanggar Urby Emanuelson dengan cukup keras. Tendangan bebas Emanuelson sempat membentur Roman Shirokov sehingga kiper Zenit Vyacheslav Malafeev sudah salah arah alias terkecoh.

Rossoneri hanya butuh waktu menit untuk kembali unggul. Kali ini lewat aksi Stephan El Shaarawy, yang menggiring bola ke dalam kotak penalti dengan melewati tiga pemain bertahan sekaligus. Tendangan kerasnya tidak mampu dihalau Malafeev.

Di pertengahan babak pertama ini, Zenit nyaris memperkecil ketertinggalan. Kerjasama Tomas Hubocan dan Alexander Anyukov mampu berbuah umpan kepada Aleksandr Kerzhakov, sayang tendangan pemain yang terakhir masih melenceng dari gawang Christian Abbiati. Pada menit ke-34, Hulk memiliki peluang bagus. Setelah mampu melewati Ignazio Abate, namun tendangannya justru masih mampu diamankan Abbiati.

Dua menit berselang, Abbiati kembali melakukan penyelamatan gemilang, bahkan dua sekaligus secara beruntun. Pertama, memblok usaha tendangan Hulk, dan kedua, menghalau tandukan Shirokov yang berawal dari sepak pojok.

Tuan rumah akhirnya bisa mencuri gol saat pertandingan babak pertama sudah memasuki tambahan waktu. Hulk sukses memanfaatkan umpan Faizulin, tanpa bisa diantisipasi Abbiati. Gol menandai berakhir babak pertama dengan keunggulan tim tamu 2-1.

Babak Kedua

Zenut langsung menggebrak di awal babak kedua. Shirokov berhasil menyamakan kedudukan untuk tuan rumah pada menit ke-49 setelah memanfaatkan umpan Hulk dari tendangan sudut.

Lima menit berselang, Hulk tampak terjatuh di kotak penalti Ac Milan setelah berduel dengan Abate, namun wasit F. Brych‎ tidak mengangap itu sebagai pelanggaran. Sebelum terjadinya peluang ini, Allegri sempat menarik keluar Bojan dan memasukkan Giampaolo Pazzini.

Pada menit ke-64, Allegri juga menarik keluar Emanuelson dan memasukkan Antonio Nocerino untuk menambah daya serang tim. Satu menit kemudian, peluang didapat kubu tim tamu. AC Milan mendapat tendangan bebas setelah Boateng dijatuhkan Domenico Criscito. Tendangan bebas dilakukan Ricardo Montolivo, yang kemudian mampu disambar dengan sundulan Boateng, namun usaha itu masih mampu digagalkan barisan pertahanan lawan.

Kecerobohan dilakukan Hubocan pada menit ke-75. Berawal dari umpan Montolivo kepada Pazzini, bola justru mengenai kaki Hubocan dan mengalir deras ke dalam gawang tanpa bisa diantisipasi Malafeev. Gol bunuh diri ini memberikan keuntungan besar untuk AC Milan, yang memang berambisi meraih kemenangan perdana di Liga Champions.

Tertinggal, Zenit berusaha bangkit. Jelang tujuh menit akan memasuki masa tambahan waktu, Hulk melakukan pergerakan di sisi kiri lapangan, namun usahanya masih bisa dihentikan Abate. Abbiati kemudian melakukan penyelamatan gemilang terhadap usaha Anyukov yang mampu menerima umpan dari sepak pojok.

Dalam posisi unggul, AC Milan berusaha mengatur tempo permainan dengan lebih banyak menguasai bola. Saat pertandingan akan berakhir, Abbiati berhasil mengamankan gawangnya dari situasi bola mati. Tim tamu akhirnya mampu menyegel kemenangan perdana di putaran grup Liga Champions musim ini.

Brescia 0 milan 1

Susunan pemain
Brescia: Arcari; Zambelli, Zebina, Bega; Berardi, Vass (Baiocco 53), Zanetti (Filippini 71), Hetemaj; Diamanti; Eder, Carracciolo (Jonathas 73)

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Zambrotta; Flamini, Van Bommel, Seedorf; Boateng (Emanuelson 70); Cassano (Ambrosini 84), Robinho

AC Milan kembali membuka jarak dengan para penguntitnya usai mengalahkan Brescia 1-0. Gol tunggal Rossoneri diciptakan oleh Robinho di fase-fase akhir pertandingan.

Bermain di kandang Brescia, Stadion Mario Rigamonti, Minggu (24/4/2011) dinihari WIB, Milan harus menunggu hingga menit 82 untuk melihat gol kemenangannya tercipta.

Tiga angka yang direbut dari Brescia membuat Milan mengoleksi 74 angka dari 34 pertandingan, unggul delapan angka dari Inter Milan yang menguntit dari posisi kedua serta sembilan angka di atas Napoli.

Dengan selisih angka seperti itu, maka Milan bisa memastikan gelar juara Seri A pada pekan ke-36 dengan asumsi pada pekan ke-35 dan 36 Milan dan Inter sama-sama menang.

Jalannya pertandingan
Pertandingan baru berlangsung tiga menit ketika Milan sudah sangat dekat dengan gol pembuka. Sepakan Mathieu Flamini dari dalam kotak penalti membentur tiang gawang Brescia.

Lima menit kemudian, Milan kembali mengancam gawang Brescia lewat tendangan jarak jauh Clarence Seedorf. Tapi kiper Brescia, Michele Arcari, sigap menepisnya keluar.

Saat babak pertama tinggal berusia empat menit, Milan kembali memperoleh peluang. Kali ini, umpan silang Kevin Prince Boateng ditanduk Antonio Cassano, tapi bola melayang di atas mistar Brescia.

Di babak kedua, Milan sudah tidak lagi dominan seperti sebelumnya. Tetapi, mereka tetap berbahaya, seperti ketika sepakan Robinho memaksa Arcari menepisnya jadi sepak pojok.

Tendangan spekulasi yang dilepas Davide Baiocco di menit 76 memperlihatkan Brescia bukannya tanpa semangat ingin menang. Tetapi sepakan jarak jauh Baiocco itu masih tinggi di atas mistar.

Pada menit 81, Brescia tinggal berjarak beberapa inci dari gol. Kali ini, tendangan Alessandro Diamanti berbelok arah kena badan Urby Emmanuelson dan menabrak mistar gawang Milan serta berbuah korner.

Semenit kemudian, Milan mencetak gol tunggal dalam laga ini. Cassano melepas umpan terobosan kepada Robinho dan dengan sekali tendang Robinho menaklukkan Arcari yang menerjang maju. Brescia 0, Milan 1.

Di menit 88, Brescia nyaris menggagalkan kemenangan Milan saat Diamanti melepas tendangan ke arah pojok bawah gawang Milan. Namun kiper Milan Christian Abbiati menjatuhkan diri dan menepisnya.

Skor 0-1 buat keunggulan Milan bertahan hingga wasit meniup peluit panjang tandan berakhirnya pertandingan.

Milan 3 Sampdoria 0

AC Milan semakin kokoh di puncak klasemen setelah berhasil meraih tiga angka saat menjamu Sampdoria. Rossonerri memetik poin sempurna usai memenangi pertandingan 3-0.

Di San Siro, Minggu (17/4/2011) dinihari WIB, Milan membuka skor lewat tendangan bebas Clarence Seedorf di pertengahan babak pertama dan keunggulan itu bertahan hingga jeda.

Il Diavolo Rosso baru dapat menambah pundi-pundi golnya di babak kedua. Antonio Cassano mencetak gol kedua di laga ini disusul oleh gol dari Robinho.

Tiga angka yang diraih membuat tim asuhan Massimilliano Allegri tetap di puncak klasemen dengan keunggulan enam poin dari Napoli yang jadi pesaing terdekatnya. Tetapi angka ini masih dapat kembali terpangkas menjadi tiga jika Napoli bisa mengalahkan Udinese, Minggu (17/4).

Jalannya Pertandingan

Milan mengambil inisiatif serangan lewat Kevin-Prince Boateng di menit kedua. Lewat kerjasamanya dengan Mark Van Bommel, sepakan pemain internasional Ghana itu masih melebar ke kiri.

Respon Sampdoria terjadi di menit 16 dan 17. Sundulan Fernando Tissone tipis saja melebar ke kiri dan sepakan Daniele Gastaldello masih bisa diselamatkan Christian Abbiati.

Abbiati harus diganti dua menit kemudian karena mengalami cedera dan digantikan oleh Marco Amelia.

Pelanggaran Massimo Volta kepada Boateng berbuah tendangan bebas. Seedorf yang menjadi eksekutor tak menyia-nyiakan kesempatan ini.

Dari jarak cukup jauh, gelandang Belanda ini melepaskan tendangan keras dari luar kotak penalti dan mengarah ke tiang jauh. Di menit 20 Bola tak sanggup dijangkau Gianluca Curci yang masuk.

Lima belas menit kemudian, upaya Milan lain lahir dari kaki Robinho. Namun sepakan striker Brasil ini jauh melebar ke sisi kanan gawang Curci.

Alexandre Pato harus mengakhiri pertandingan lebih dini. Tampaknya ia mengalami cedera dan digantikan oleh Antonio Cassano yang masuk di menit 41.

Robinho mengawali serangan Milan di 10 menit babak kedua dengan sepakan dari arah tengah kotak yang masih melebar.

Tak lama berselang, giliran Gianluca Zambrotta yang menebar ancaman. Umpan Seedorf diterima bek Italia itu dan melepas tendangan kaki kiri tapi masih sanggup ditangkap Curci.

Tim tuan rumah menerima angin segar usai Massimo Volta melakukan hand ball di area terlarang. Cassano sukses menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik dan menjadikan Milan kini memimpin 2-0 di menit 54.

Robinho akhirnya berhasil mencetak namanya di papan skor tujuh menit kemudian lewat sundulannya dari jarak dekat yang bersarang di tengah gawang Sampdoria.

Cassano! Striker Italia itu membuat tendangan dari tengah kotak hasil kerjasamanya dengan Boateng di menit 79.

Tim tamu melancarkan serangan balik cepat dan sempat membahayakan gawang yang dijaga Amelia. Fernando Tissone memberi operan kepada Angelo Palombo dan ia melepas sepakan kaki kanan dari luar kotak penalti. Tapi belum tepat sasaran.

Susunan Pemain:
AC MILAN: Abbiati (Amelia '19), Yepes, Silva, Zambrotta, Abate, Van Bommel (Pirlo '74), Boateng, Gattuso, Robinho, Pato (Cassano 41')

SAMPDORIA: Curci, Gastaldello, Martinez (Zauri 58'), Volta, Koman, Tissone, Palombo, Laczko, Dessena, Maccarone, Pozzi (Biabiany 76')

Champions League Preview : Milan vs Auxerre

UEFA Champions League 2010/11 Fixtures/Results

AC Milan v AJ Auxerre Group G Giuseppe Meazza

Massimiliano Allegri named the following 19 players for Milan’s Champions League match against Auxerre:
Abbiati, Amelia, Roma, Antonini, Bonera, Nesta, Zambrotta, Yepes, Abate, Ambrosini, Boateng, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Ibrahimovic, Inzaghi, Pato, Robinho, Ronaldinho.

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is looking forward to making his Champions League coaching debut in tomorrow night's Group G opener against Auxerre.

Allegri, who replaced Leonardo at the helm of the Rossoneri this summer, has had a shaky start in his new role after falling to newly-promoted Cesena 2-0 on Saturday.

But the 43-year-old is fully concentrated on his first game in Europe's premier club competition.

"It will be very emotional for me,'' said Allegri. "This is my first time.

"The draw has placed us in a group with top European clubs and it will be a challenge from the start.''

Milan, who will also face Real Madrid and Ajax in their pool, lost to Manchester United in the last 16 of last season's competition.

Allegri will hope his side's European prospects will be boosted by recent signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although the Swedish striker had a poor debut on Saturday when he missed a penalty in the defeat at Cesena.

But Allegri has tried to use the defeat as a tool to motivate his players.

"I think this loss is a good lesson for the team because games have to be won with sacrifice,'' said Allegri. "If we don't play as a team, it will be difficult to win anything this campaign.

"Now we must react and look ahead with optimism.''

The Italians will be without Thiago Silva, who is sidelined with a right thigh problem.

The good news for Allegri is that defender Alessandro Nesta and fellow veteran Clarence Seedorf, who missed the game at Cesena, have recovered from injuries and will start on Wednesday.

Rivals Auxerre have travelled to Italy also desperate to find their form.

The French side have yet to win after five games of their domestic campaign.

They gave away a late goal against Caen on Saturday and drew for the fourth time this season.

"Football is cruel,'' said Auxerre coach Jean Fernandez.

"To have claimed four points so far it gives cause for concern for some but I am not worried.

"I know I have a group of quality players and that the team will get better.''

Milan 4 Lecce 0

Alexandre Pato sounded a warning to Zlatan Ibrahimovic that he does not intend to give up his place at AC Milan without a fight by scoring twice as AC Milan opened their Serie A account with an impressive opening-weekend win over Lecce.

MILAN: Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Ronaldinho, Borriello, Pato

LECCE: Rosati; Vives, Donati, Sini , Giuliatto, Ferrario; Munari, Giacomazzi, Grossmuller; Mesbah; Corvia


With Ibrahimovic joining the Rossoneri from Barcelona on an initial loan deal which will become permanent next summer, the pressure was on the young Brazilian and Pato responded with two goals inside the opening 29 minutes as Massimiliano Allegri's first game in charge ended in a comprehensive victory.

Thiago Silva also scored in between Pato's strikes as newly-promoted Lecce endured a tricky return to the top flight.

Veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi grabbed a late fourth to complete the win and send Milan - albeit after just one game - to the top of the table.

The onslaught started early with Brazilian centre-half Thiago Silva smashing in a 35-yard drive which Antonio Rosati in the Lecce goal did superbly well to tip over for a corner.

Rosati was powerless to keep out Pato four minutes later, however, the 20-year-old converting Massimo Ambrosini's pass.

It was 2-0 after 23 minutes as Thiago Silva fired home after a goalmouth scramble.

There was no let-up for poor Lecce with Pato scoring his second of the night in the 29th minute, beating the offside trap to run on to countryman Ronaldinho's pass before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting into an empty net.

Ronaldinho looked full of confidence and his impudent effort from the halfway line landed just wide.

Clarence Seedorf almost made it 4-0 before the break but the veteran Dutchman's volley clipped the post and went wide.

Ibrahimovic was presented to the San Siro crowd at half-time and the Swede will have been impressed with what he saw on the pitch as Milan continued to press.

Daniele Corvia threatened briefly for Lecce before Milan got back on top.

Marco Borriello had the ball in the net but saw his effort controversially disallowed for offside while Inzaghi hit the post minutes after his introduction.

The outstanding Pato was then denied by Rosati, as was Inzaghi six minutes before the end.

Inzaghi did find the back of the net with time almost up when, following some fine work by Gennaro Gattuso, he prodded past Rosati to complete a good night's work for Allegri.

Emirates Cup 2010 : AC milan Squad

The Emirates Cup is an annual two-day pre-season football tournament hosted by the English Premier League club Arsenal and held at the Emirates Stadium, the club's home ground. It is similar in style to the Amsterdam Tournament held by AFC Ajax,

Arsenal are the current holders of the trophy; they won the tournament in both 2007 and 2009.

Much like the Amsterdam Tournament, each team plays two matches, with three points awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and a point for every goal scored. From the 2009 edition, if teams are tied on points, goal difference and goals scored, they are ranked by the total shots on target during the tournament.

The 2010 edition of the Emirates Cup will take place on the weekend of 31 July and 1 August with AC Milan, Celtic and Lyon joining hosts Arsenal

The Emirates Cup will kick off on Saturday with the match between Arsenal F.C. and AC Milan. The official site of Arsenal has today released the squads of Milan, Lyon and Celtic, who will take part in the tournament along with the Gunners.

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has picked 25 players, including some Primavera stars because few first team players haven’t returned from their post-World Cup vacations.

This is the squad that is flying to London tomorrow:

Goalkeepers: Marco Amelia, Christian Abbiati, Flavio Roma; Defenders: Kakha Kaladze, Alessandro Nesta, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Massimo Oddo, Marek Jankulovski, Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Bonera, Mario Yepes, Luca Antonini; Midfielders: Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Rodney Strasser, Mathieu Flamini, Ignazio Abate, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini; Forwards: Alexandre Pato, Filippo Inzaghi, Marco Borriello, Giacomo Beretta, Simone Verdi, Ronaldinho.

Against Arsenal, the Rossoneri will wear Black shirts, Black shorts, Black socks.
Against Lyon, the Rossoneri will wear Red/Black shirts, White shorts, Black socks.

AC Milan fixtures : Seri A 2010/2011

The new season will officially kick off on August 28 and will end on May 22. The fixtures for the new season have been drawn up on Wednesday night.

Italy Champions Inter Milan will start the new term with new coach Rafael Benitez away at Bologna while Juventus will kick off with Luigi Del Neri away at San Nicola against A.S. Bari. Roma will meanwhile start against newly promoted Cesena.

Week 1 (26/8/10 and 16/1/11) – AC Milan-Leece
Week 2 (12/9/10 and 23/1/11) – Cesena-AC Milan
Week 3 (19/9/10 and 30/1/11) – AC Milan-Catania
Week 4 (22/9/10 and 2/2/11) – Lazio-AC Milan
Week 5 (26/9/10 and 6/2/11) – AC Milan-Genoa
Week 6 (3/10/10 and 13/2/11) – Parma-AC Milan
Week 7 (17/10/10 and 20/2/11) – AC Milan-Chievo
Week 8 (24/10/10 and 27/2/11) – Napoli-AC Milan
Week 9 (31/10/10 and 6/3/11) – AC Milan-Juventus
Week 10 (7/11/10 and 13/3/11) – Bari-AC Milan
Week 11 (10/11/10 and 20/3/11) – AC Milan-Palermo
Week 12 (14/11/10 and 3/4/11) – Inter-AC Milan
Week 13 (21/11/10 and 10/4/11) – AC Milan-Fiorentina
Week 14 (28/11/10 and 17/4/11) - Sampdoria-AC Milan
Week 15 (5/12/10 and 23/4/11) – AC Milan-Brescia
Week 16 (12/12/10 and 1/5/11) – Bologna-AC Milan
Week 17 (19/12/10 and 8/5/11) – AC Milan-Roma
Week 18 (6/1/11 and 15/5/11) – Cagliari-AC Milan
Week 19 (9/1/11 and 22/5/11) – AC Milan-Udinese

AC Milan set to sign Sokratis "Papa" Papastathopoulos.

Milan have practically tied up a deal with Genoa to sign Greece international defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Earlier this week there were reports that the transfer would be a simple exchange with Marek Jankulovski or Kakha Kaladze moving the other way.

However, the need to do a deal quickly without complications has led Milan and Genoa to agree to a season-long loan.

That way, Milan's new Coach Massimiliano Allegri will have Papastathopoulos available for training camp in five days' time.

Papastathopoulos will become Milan's fourth signing of the summer and their third at practically no cost after Mario Yepes joined as a free agent and Marco Amelia arrived on loan also from Genoa.

Milan's biggest piece of transfer business this summer involved Crotone defender Elia Legati who cost £360,000.

AC MILAN VS JUVENTUS, MAY 15 2010,

AC MILAN VS JUVENTUS (3-0)
Milan: Dida (Abbiati 86); Zambrotta, Thiago Silva, Favalli (Nesta 62), Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho (Inzaghi 71)

Juventus: Buffon (Manninger 46); Zebina (Caceres 74), Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Salihamidzic (Camoranesi 46), Poulsen, Marchisio; Candreva; Iaquinta, Del Piero


AC Milan gave Leonardo the perfect send-off in his last match at the San Siro before leaving the Italian giants.

The Brazilian announced this week that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season and his players responded by beating the Turin club 3-0

Two goals from Ronaldinho after Luca Antonini's opener ensured Milan finished third in the Serie A table and also compounded Juventus' agony as they could only end what has been a disappointing season in seventh.

With just four minutes gone Vincenzo Iaquinta should have done better when he had only Dida to beat but he fired wide of the goal.

Milan took the lead in the 14th minute when Antonini was released by a chip over the defence from Clarence Seedorf and his shot hit the leg of a defender before looping over goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Ronaldinho netted the second when he shot low past Buffon from the edge of the area just before the half hour.

The Brazilian had started the move when he picked up possession in midfield and exchanged passes with Seedorf.

Ronaldinho gave the ball away but managed to win it back from Fabio Grosso before passing to Alexandre Pato.

His fellow Brazilian fed the ball back to Ronaldinho who shot low to Buffon's left to double Milan's advantage.

Andrea Pirlo fired well wide two minutes later after cutting in from the left and hitting a shot from distance with his right foot.

The same player also shot over the bar from long range as Milan kept up the pressure.

Five minutes before half-time Alessandro del Piero had Juventus' best chance of the half when he shot from distance but his effort was tipped over the bar by Dida.

A minute later Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro headed just wide of the post from 10 yards as the visitors battled to get back into the game.

Thiago Silva then made a fine challenge to deny Iaquinta a shot on target after the forward had run on to a long ball and then the visitors wasted the subsequent corner.

Juventus started the second half with Alex Manninger on for Buffon in goal and Mauro Camoranesi replacing Hasan Salihamidzic.

Grosso wasted the first chance of the second half when he was set up in the Milan area but was robbed of possession as he took too long over the opportunity.

Grosso was booked five minutes into the second half when he fouled Pato from behind 25 yards from goal but Pato's swerving free-kick was comfortably punched clear by Manninger.

Ronaldinho scored his second after 67 minutes when Jonathan Zebina could only head the ball to the edge of the area.

The Brazilian took a touch to control the ball before side-footing across goal and past Manninger.

But the Brazilian was also booked when he took off his shirt to celebrate scoring the goal.

Dida waved farewell to the Milan fans when the Brazilian goalkeeper was replaced by Christian Abbiati with three minutes remaining.

MIlan 1 catania 1, borriello double save milan

Milan 1 catania 1, borriello double save milan
Marco Borriello struck a second-half brace to spare AC Milan's blushes against Catania but this afternoon's draw did little to boost the Rossoneri's flagging hopes of a first Serie A title since 2004.

Maxi Lopez gave the visitors a shock lead after 12 minutes and Adrian Ricchiuti doubled their advantage two minutes before the break to silence the San Siro.

Borriello pulled one back for Leonardo's side three minutes into the second half and then levelled matters nine minutes from time, but the draw left Milan four points behind new Serie A leaders Roma with five games remaining.

The hosts kicked off this encounter knowing victory would have put them within a point of city rivals Inter Milan, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina last night.

It might all have gone more smoothly for Milan had Ronaldinho's far-post volley, after being fed by Ignazio Abate, flown under rather than over the bar in the second minute.

As it was, the opening goal arrived at the other end 10 minutes later.

First Ricchiuti's free-kick caught the Milan defence cold and allowed the unmarked Giuseppe Mascara a free header at goal, but Massimo Ambrosini was able to clear at the back post.

Within 60 seconds, the Sicilians were ahead, however. Ricchiuti fed a fine ball through to Lopez, who beat the offside trap and lashed a low shot across Milan goalkeeper Dida.

Ronaldinho had half a chance to restore parity after 19 minutes but Borriello's pass gave Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar chance to come off his line and clear.

Defender Nicolas Spolli came to the visitors' rescue again six minutes later, diverting the danger away for a corner after a counter-attack involving Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho fed Borriello in a decent position.

Borriello then saw his header from Ronaldinho's left-wing cross blocked by Andujar after 36 minutes, and seven minutes later the hosts were two down.

Lopez crossed for an unmarked Ricchiuti to nod past Dida, with the Milan defence again in disarray.

Milan set out for the second half looking like a different team and were rewarded after only three minutes.

Andrea Pirlo's long ball found Seedorf, who centred for Borriello to head past Andujar.

Catania almost restored their two-goal cushion eight minutes later when Marco Biagianti's 20-yard drive whistled just past Dida's left post, but the action soon switched back to the other end.

Ronaldinho's pass looked destined to find Klaas Jan Huntelaar but Ciro Capuano anticipated well and cleared for a corner.

Andujar was called into action after 72 minutes, saving well from Huntelaar's fierce low shot after the Dutchman had latched onto Pirlo's long cross and evaded the attentions of Mascara.

The equaliser arrived after 81 minutes and once again the hosts had Borriello to thank. Abate's cross from the right found the Italy striker, who turned well and fired a right-footed shot low into Andujar's net.

Massimo Ambrosini almost undid all Milan's good work to get back into the game when he carelessly gifted possession to Lopez and allowed the former Barcelona man a one-on-one opportunity with Dida, but his attempted lob was unsuccessful.

Milan had one final chance to take all three points when substitute Filippo Inzaghi mustered a low shot from a tight angle in stoppage time, but Andujar saved well at full stretch.

AC Milan Lazio 1, Serie A March 28 2010

AC Milan's title challenge stuttered once more tonight as they were held to a draw at home to struggling Lazio.

With leaders Inter Milan losing at Roma yesterday, the opportunity was there for Milan to move within a point of the Serie A summit.

But not for the first time this season they blew it.

They went ahead when Marco Borriello netted from the spot in the 18th minute but some lax defending allowed Stephan Lichtsteiner to equalise just after the half-hour mark.

Milan huffed and puffed in the second half but Lazio deserved the point which moved them five points clear of the relegation zone.

The game took a while to get going but it burst into life in the 17th minute when Milan took the lead.

France international Mathieu Flamini made a burst into the box down the right but saw his run ended by a poorly-timed tackle by Aleksandar Kolarov.

Referee Paolo Tagliavento pointed to the spot and Borriello - on penalty duty due to Ronaldinho's suspension - made no mistake despite Lazio keeper Fernando Muslera getting a hand to the ball.

Lazio equalised 14 minutes later although Milan boss Leonardo will be asking questions of his backline.

Cristian Ledesma's aimless ball into the box should have been dealt with but Luca Antonini made a hash of his clearance with the ball falling nicely for Lichtsteiner and he made no mistake with a clinical volley past Dida.

MILAN VS LAZIO VIDEO HIGHLIGHT


Dida was looking shaky and he almost gifted the Biancoceleste a second before half-time.

Ledesma's corner invited him off his line to punch but the Brazilian could only flap at the delivery, dropping it down at the feet of Andre Dias.

Dias should have shot first time but he delayed and Milan defender Thiago Silva got in a well-timed challenge to make the block.

Antonini almost atoned for his earlier blunder by restoring Milan's advantage nine minutes into the second half.

After latching on to a poor clearance from Muslera, he ran through a couple of weak Lazio challenges before lashing in a powerful drive from the edge of the area which beat the Lazio keeper but rattled back off the bar.

Milan threatened again after 67 minutes through Borriello.

The Italy international received the ball from strike-partner Filippo Inzaghi and turned cleverly but his shot was blasted over the bar.

Lazio played primarily on the counter-attack in the second half but it was a policy which almost reaped its reward with 20 minutes to go.

A free-kick from the left from Stefano Mauri was perfect for Dias to attack with his head. Instead he tried an acrobatic volley and put his effort wide of the upright with Dida struggling to make up the ground.

Milan created one last chance with eight minutes to go.

A mix-up in the Lazio defence meant Thiago's long ball was not cleared properly by either Kolarov or Muslera but Ignazio Abate was unable to capitalise, shooting high and wide when well placed.

Milan stay third, two points behind Roma and three adrift of Inter.

1 Dida	86 Fernando Muslera
19 Giuseppe Favalli	28 Guglielmo Stendardo
33 Thiaguinho	26 Stefan Radu
23 Massimo Ambrosini	80 André Dias
77 Luca Antonini	24 Cristian Ledesma
15 Gianluca Zambrotta	32 Christian Brocchi
10 Clarence Seedorf	5 Stefano Mauri
16 Mathieu Flamini	11 Aleksandar Kolarov
20 Ignazio Abate	2 Stephan Lichtsteiner
22 Marco Borriello	10 Mauro Zárate
9 Filippo Inzaghi	9 Tommaso Rocch

Milan 1 Napoli 1

AC Milan failed to take full advantage of Inter Milan's draw against Palermo last night as they were held to a draw at home to Napoli and missed the opportunity to leapfrog their city rivals to the top of the Serie A table.

Hugo Campagnaro put a lively Napoli ahead in the 13th minute, but Filippo Inzaghi equalised 12 minutes later.

Napoli enjoyed the better of the first half while Milan improved in the second 45 minutes, but neither side did enough to deserve more than a point, which takes the Rossoneri back to within a single point of Inter.

Inter Milan's draw at Palermo last night meant Milan had the chance to move to the top of the table with a win, but Napoli had other ideas.

They started the brighter and deservedly went ahead in the 13th minute.

Lavezzi drew everybody to the near post where Christian Abbiati and Massimo Oddo got in each other's way and ended up in a heap as the Argentinian forward pulled the ball back to his compatriot Campagnaro, who side-footed the it into the completely empty goal.

Napoli were showing no fear at all with Lavezzi and Fabio Quagliarella combining well.

A second goal seemed more likely than an equaliser, but when you have Ronaldinho on the field, anything can happen.

And the Brazilian weaved his magic in the 25th minute, lifting a cross to Inzaghi, who was glued in his usual position underneath the crossbar to head in the equaliser.

Napoli did not lose belief, though, and both Lavezzi and Quagliarella had chances to restore their advantage before Leandro Rinaudo's header needed a goalline clearance from Andrea Pirlo to prevent the Rossoneri from going in at the interval behind.

Quagliarella fired a volley straight against Abbiati midway through the second half as the visitors continued to set the tone.

However, Amantino Mancini should have put the home side ahead moments later when he was sent through on goal by Clarence Seedorf, but the former Inter forward shot straight at Morgan De Sanctis.

As the clock ticked down, Milan finally began to show the urgency of a side who scented the chance of moving to the top of the league.

The crowd tried to play their part too while Milan coach Leonardo sent Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on as a fourth striker in place of Seedorf.

But they were still unable to find a way through while Napoli regularly threatened to hit them on the counterattack, finding plenty of room as Milan committed men forward.

In the end, though, a draw was the fair result, even if it means Milan remain second while Napoli join Genoa in seventh place.

AC Milan	Napoli
12 Christian Abbiati	26 Morgan De Sanctis
19 Giuseppe Favalli	77 Leandro Rinaudo
33 Thiaguinho	28 Paolo Cannavaro
15 Gianluca Zambrotta	14 Hugo Armando Campagnaro
44 Massimo Oddo	2 Gianluca Grava
21 Andrea Pirlo	23 Walter Gargano
16 Mathieu Flamini	5 Michele Pazienza
9 Filippo Inzaghi	7 Ezequiel Lavezzi
10 Clarence Seedorf	17 Marek Hamsik
80 Ronaldinho	27 Fabio Quagliarella
7 Pato	11 Cristian Maggio

Roma 0 Milan 0 - Seri A Video Highlights

Roma: Julio Sergio, Juan, Burdisso, Riise, Cassetti, Pizarro, De Rossi, Vucinic, Perotta, Baptista (Toni 58'), Taddei.

Milan: Abbiati, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Antonini (Abate 71'), Bonera, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Flamini (Beckham 72'), Ronaldinho, Boriello (Inzaghi 78'), Huntelaar.


AC Milan dominated but had to settle for a point against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

In a battle of two teams who still have scudetto aspirations, the Rossoneri had numerous opportunities to break the deadlock but failed to take any of them.

The result left Milan in second place - three points behind Serie A leaders and city rivals Inter, who will take on Genoa with a chance to extend their gap at the summit to six points. Roma remained third, two points behind Milan.

A fine Milan can't get more than a 0-0 draw in Rome. Leonardo's team plays the whole match with great conviction, showing especially in the second half a great physical shape, which brings the Rossoneri to be dangerous more than once in the opposition's penalty area. With great authority and ball possession Milan once again showed they have what it takes to play a match of very high level in Manchester.

The Saturday evening match of the 27th matchday starts with an offensive Milan team designed by its coach with a trident formed by Ronaldinho, Borriello and Huntelaar. Ranieri on his part left out Toni and included Julio Baptista behind Vucinic.
After just three minutes Roma created the first chance of the evening. De Rossi fired a shot from the edge of the area which went just past Abbiati's post. After the first chances for the home side the match became more balanced, and in the Rossoneri's midfield there emerged a great, dynamic Flamini, who did well to amplify the play while Pirlo did well to block the reference points. In the 23rd minute came the first chance for Milan through Antonini who sent his shot over the crossbar.

Also the strikers tried but first Borriello in the 29th minute and then Huntelaar failed to be effective in the penalty area. The growth of the Rossoneri team was more evident in the second half. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw an attacking Milan. Borriello managed to make himself dangerous, going past Juan but his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper. At this point Ranieri modified his team by sending on Luca Toni. With his characteristics the striker kept the ball up allowing his team mates to take breathers.

Leonardo's answer didn't take long. The Brazilian sent on Beckham and Abate, reinforcing the right wing. The Englishman played two splendid assists for Huntelaar and Ronaldinho, but they both couldn't take advantage. Near the end also Roma made themselves dangerous especially when they tried to find Toni through the area.

It finished 0-0, a draw that slows down the run-up to Inter but which showed a team in great athletic shape and always very convinced of its potential. In Manchester there's still all to play for.

Barii 0 Milan 2 , Rossoneri cut gap on Inter

Bari: Gillet; Belmonte, A Masiello, Bonucci, S Masiello, Alvarez, Gazzi, Donati, Rivas (Almiron 61') Meggiorini (Sforzini 34'), Barreto

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Bonera (Jankulovski 68'), Gattuso (Beckham 81'), Pirlo, Ambrosini, , Ronaldinho, Pato, Borriello (Inzaghi 72')


Marco Borriello fired AC Milan to a comfortable win at Bari to see the Rossoneri close the gap on league leaders Inter to seven points.

The striker returned to action after missing two games through injury and opened the scoring before half-time.

Alexandre Pato doubled his team's lead in the 69th minute but then conceded a penalty with two minutes remaining after bringing down Salvatore Masiello.

Bari failed to capitalise as Paulo Barreto's spot-kick was met by a fine save from Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

The win was Milan's first on the road since January 10 and left them third in the standings, two points behind second-place Roma with a game in hand.

Roma had earlier prevailed 1-0 over Catania while Inter were held to a goalless draw by Sampdoria yesterday.

Milan went into the encounter looking to bounce back from their 3-2 home reverse to Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday.

The hosts had hoped to avoid their third-straight defeat but really did not pose much of a threat to the Rossoneri.

Milan dominated the opening stages and had the first chance to take the lead in the 13th minute.

Massimo Ambrosini's left-footed strike from the edge of the area went just wide of Bari goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet's far post.

Shortly after, Pato's central free-kick failed to trouble the keeper.

Bari struggled to break Milan's well-placed defence and the visitors continued to control the game.

On the half-hour mark, Borriello should have broken the deadlock but his powerful header from Daniele Bonera's cross went wide.

But Milan's efforts paid off in the 43rd minute.

Ronaldinho fed Borriello and his left-footed volley from the heart of the area towards the far post beat Gillet.

Bari had the first opportunity shortly after the re-start.

Emmanuel Rivas found Massimo Donati inside the area and his right-footed shot went just wide of Abbiati's far post.

Shortly after the hour mark, Barreto's bullet strike forced Abbiati to palm over the bar for a corner and

it wasn't long before Milan extended their lead.

Gillet parried away Ronaldinho's angled effort but only as far as Pato and the Brazilian made no mistake from close range.

Bari twice had the chance to reduce the arrears but Ferdinando Sforzini nodded wide from the centre of the penalty area before Donati's header from Massiello's cross went inches wide of the far post.

With nine minutes remaining, David Beckham replaced Gennaro Gattuso as Milan looked to finish on a high note.

But it was the hosts that had a chance to re-open the game late on after the referee pointed to the penalty spot when Masiello drew contact from Pato.

Abbiati guessed right as Barreto hit the ball right-footed down the middle of the goal as the keeper came up with the save to preserve the 2-0 win.

Leonardo's Milan will play Fiorentina on Wednesday and a win would lift them over Roma into second place.

Milan 2- Manchester United 3, Champions League Februari 16, 2010

Milan: Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato, Huntelaar, Ronaldinho

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Park; Rooney

Ronaldinho (3') Paul Scholes (36')
Clarence Seedorf (85') Wayne Rooney (66')
Wayne Rooney (74')

David Beckham had to settle for second best as the team he loves overcame the team he plays for in the San Siro.

Two second-half goals from the new Manchester United hero, Wayne Rooney, installs last season's beaten finalists as favourites to book a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Not even the concession of a third-minute opener for AC Milan, created by Beckham for Ronaldinho, could derail Sir Alex Ferguson's troops, although they were forced to endure some nervy moments at the end after Clarence Seedorf hauled Milan back into the tie five minutes from time.

It took a fortunate Paul Scholes effort to bring United level before the break.

But after surviving another spell of Milan pressure after half-time, Rooney stamped his class on the contest, scoring his first two European goals of the season to take his overall tally to 25.

In United circles, the summer of 2003 has become famous for Beckham's exit from Old Trafford.

Yet about a month after his move to Real Madrid was confirmed, there was an equally significant event involving Ronaldinho.

Ferguson was sure he had signed the Brazilian from Paris St Germain, convinced in his own mind every eventuality had been covered.

It was with some annoyance - mostly directed at former chief executive Peter Kenyon - Ferguson learned Ronaldinho had in fact signed for Barcelona.

As the alternative turned out to be Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps the situation did not turn out too badly for the Red Devils.

But if Beckham had waited seven years to face his old club, United and Ronaldinho were hanging round for equally as long before their paths have crossed.

It took the former world footballer of the year just three minutes to remind Ferguson what he missed, after Beckham had done what everyone knows he can, produce excellent set pieces.

Patrice Evra's acrobatic attempt to clear that one set Ronaldinho up, although Edwin van der Sar had the shot covered before it deflected off Michael Carrick and ended up in the opposite corner.

For an old team, Milan clearly had something left.

Their passing had United twisting and turning, looking for all the world like a team on the edge of a very big cliff, not knowing precisely where the bottom was.

Ronaldinho, Luca Antonini and Klaas Jan Huntelaar twice came agonisingly close to finding Van der Sar's net again. If a couple of them had gone in, Ferguson could not have complained.

As it was, apart from Beckham, the only other 'Class of 92' graduate on the pitch was about to make a decisive contribution.

Scholes has peppered the intervening years with a number of howitzers, goals that will be admired decades from now.

This was not among them. Swinging at Darren Fletcher's low cross from the by-line, Scholes missed the ball completely with his right foot, the ball striking him half way up the shin of his standing left.

What could only be described as a freakish deflection not only took it the six yards to Dida's goal, but right in the bottom corner, giving the Brazilian no chance of keeping it out.

Milan's response was admirable, given what a shattering blow that away goal was, United's first in five away games against a fellow European heavyweight.

Andrea Pirlo forced a one-handed save out of Van der Sar with a 30-yard free-kick, then the 39-year-old Dutchman required every inch of his massive frame to flick a goalbound Ronaldinho effort round the post.

Yet in that one stroke of good fortune for Scholes, it seemed the destiny of the tie had been shaped and a minute after what turned out to be an inspired substitution, Rooney break his European duck.

Antonio Valencia, who had just replaced Nani, was the provider, sending over a cross from the right that allowed Rooney to steer a header back over Dida into the opposite corner.

Now the age in Milan's legs began to tell. And when Darren Fletcher chipped another cross into the box, Rooney stole between defenders to head home once more.

It seemed victory and progress was assured, so Ferguson will be livid at the Seedorf effort five minutes from time that ensured an uncomfortable ending and gives Milan a flicker of hope for the return in three weeks' time, when Michael Carrick will be unavailable following his dismissal deep into stoppage time.

Milan 3 Udinese 2, Bravo Huntelaar

AC MILAN VS UDINESE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT
BRAVO DINHO & HUNTELAAR


Goal : Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (7) Pato (39) Antonio Floro Flores (45) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (57) Antonio Di Natale (86)


Ronaldinho inspired AC Milan to victory over Udinese on Friday night, warming them up for the visit of Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday with three more points in Serie A.

Although the Brazilian did not put his own name on the scoresheet, he set up all three goals as Milan regained second spot in the table.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored the first after seven minutes and substitute Alexandre Pato added the second five minutes before the break.

Antonio Floro Flores gave Udinese hope with a goal on the stroke of half-time before Huntelaar's second in the 57th minute restored the home side's two-goal advantage.

Antonio Di Natale pulled Udinese back into the game in the 86th minute, but they could not find an equaliser.

Milan coach Leonardo left David Beckham on the bench for the second game running, but Alessandro Nesta was back at the heart of the defence after a three-week injury absence.

And it wasn't long before Pato entered the field too with Amantino Mancini forced off injured after just 13 minutes.

By then, Milan were ahead with a bullet header from Huntelaar, who met Ronaldinho's cross at the near post in the seventh minute.

Dida was nearly caught out by Gokhan Inler's shot which he initially fumbled before clasping. Not for the first time, and not for the last either, the Milan goalkeeper did not look too comfortable.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was watching on from the stands, will certainly have taken note.

He will also have been given a lot to ponder by Ronaldinho, who was pulling the strings in the Milan attack, setting up Pato in the 24th minute, but the linesman's offside flag was raised before the Milan striker eventually rolled the ball in.

A poor clearance from Dida gave Di Natale a gift in the 27th minute, but the Udinese striker and Serie A top goalscorer failed to take advantage as the Milan defence recovered.

There was no offside flag when another sumptuous delivery from Ronaldinho, straight into the path of Pato, set up the second goal in the 39th minute.

Udinese defender Andrea Coda succeeded partly in putting the Milan number seven off as he prepared to pull the trigger, but the ball fell kindly for Pato, who was left with a simple tap-in.

However, the Rossoneri continued to look susceptible at the back and Floro Flores headed Di Natale's cross in with the final touch of the first half.

The actual last touch of the half was Dida's as he carried the ball into his goal rather than making what should not have been too difficult a save.

Fortunately for Milan, they had Ronaldinho, who was the source of their third goal in the 57th minute.

His free-kick was met with an unintentional flick by Massimo Ambrosini and Huntelaar was on hand to fire in his second and Milan's third from close range.

Gennaro Gattuso missed the chance to wrap the game up in the 75th minute when Ronaldinho's vision and pass execution picked him out in acres of space, but Samir Handanovic blocked his shot behind for a corner.

From the corner kick, Ronaldinho's header was cleared off the line by Simone Pepe before he made way for Beckham.

Di Natale's honesty in not going down denied his side a penalty when he nudged the ball round Dida with 10 minutes remaining, but the Udinese striker was rewarded with a goal his performance deserved in the 86th minute when he beat the offside trap before beating Dida with an elegant shot.

Bologna 0- Milan 0

AC Milan fell 10 points behind city rivals Inter this afternoon after another uninspiring display at Bologna.

With Inter cruising past Cagliari 3-0 at the San Siro, a win for Leonardo's men was key to their hopes of keeping the pressure on their great rivals in the race for the Scudetto.

But a failure to find the back of the net - although they came mighty close, twice hitting the woodwork - maintained their poor recent run.

Having manoeuvred themselves into second place in Serie A behind Inter, things started to go wrong for the Rossoneri when they were outplayed in the Milan derby.

Since then they have crashed out of the Coppa Italia at the hands of Udinese and were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Livorno in a half-empty San Siro.

And there were signs of unrest in the Milan camp this week when Brazil star Ronaldinho was forced to deny he had held a three-night party in the lead-up to the Inter game.

On top of that, owner Silvio Berlusconi expressed his surprise at the signing of Mancini on loan from the Nerazzurri, saying he disagreed with the move.

It was hardly ideal preparation for a difficult clash against a side battling to preserve their top flight status.

And, although they started well - Andrea Pirlo hammering in a fifth-minute free-kick which produced a fine save from home goalkeeper Roberto Colombo - the hosts will argue they deserved a share of the spoils for their defensive resistance.

Bologna offered little going forward with their only first-half effort falling to former Italy striker Marco Di Vaio but his effort was comfortable for Dida.

Milan dominated possession but could find no way through a stubborn Bologna rearguard. The crowded penalty area forced Milan to try their luck from long range with Pirlo thrashing another shot over the bar with six minutes to go in what was a turgid first half.

Bologna had the first chance after the break, Di Vaio dispossessing Pirlo and setting off on a mazy run towards goal which was halted by a fine challenge from Luca Antonini.

Milan almost broke the deadlock after 57 minutes but luck came to the home side's rescue.

Bologna failed to clear their lines from a corner and the loose ball was turned towards goal by Ronaldinho but his shot cannoned back off the bar.

Colombo then saved well from Marco Borriello as Milan upped the tempo.

The Bologna keeper excelled himself once more with 21 minutes to go, diving bravely at the feet of substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar after the Holland striker had been played in by Pirlo.

Milan dominated the closing stages with some wayward finishing and a lack of luck hampering their efforts to snatch all three points.

Leonardo's side thought they had won an 84th-minute penalty when Salvatore Lanna appeared to handle Ignazio Abate's right-wing cross but the referee waved play on.

Then, with a minute left, substitute David Beckham played a one-two with Borriello but the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star could only fire his shot wide from the edge of the area.

Milan came agonisingly close again in injury time when Mancini wriggled clear and whipped in a cross for Massimo Ambrosini but his header struck the bar.

Amantino Mancini - New AC MIlan Player- photo gallery

Welcome Mancini..
amantino mancini now milan player..

Mancini Profile's
Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino

Date of birth	August 1, 1980 (1980-08-01) (age 29)
Place of birth	Ipatinga, Brazil
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Milan
Number	30
Youth career	1997
Senior career*
Years	Team
1999–2000	Atlético Mineiro
2000–2001	Portuguesa
2001	São Caetano
2002	Atlético Mineiro
2003	Venezia
2003–2008	Roma
2008–	Internazionale
2010–	? Milan (loan)
National team
1999–2000	Brazil U-23
2004–2008	Brazil
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 February 2010.

He was signed by Serie B side Venezia in January 2003. During that time he struggled to adapt to Italian football, and was criticised by the Venezia manager for his errors, and for his habit of controlling the ball with the outside of his foot, which in Italy is considered unconventional.

Mancini only made 13 appearances for Venezia that season. In summer 2003 he left for Roma following the departure of his countryman Cafu to Milan on free transfer.
[edit] Roma

Having lost Cafu, Roma needed a replacement at right-back, but with his early performances in Italy being far from convincing, many Roma fans were sceptical about his ability. However, the then-manager Fabio Capello gave the Brazilian a chance, and Mancini went on to complete an outstanding first season in Serie A, the highlight being a spectacular backheel flick from a set piece in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio.

For the next 2005-06 season began to find his top form, once again becoming a key player for the Roma side. Following the Calciopoli scandal, Roma qualified for the UEFA Champions League, giving Mancini the chance to play at the highest level of club football.

In the UEFA Champions League 2006-07, Mancini left his mark with fabulous goal against Olympique Lyonnais, dazzling Lyon defender Anthony Réveillère with several stepovers before firing the ball high into the net, sending the Giallorossi into the quarter finals.

That same year, Mancini also celebrated his first silverware since arriving in Italy as Roma won the Coppa Italia, beating Internazionale in the final.

In the 2007-08 season, Mancini scored eight league goals as Roma reached the quarter finals of the Champions League and finished as runners-up in Serie A for the second year running. He did not have the best of seasons though, in what would prove to be his last in Rome.
[edit] Internazionale

After the appointment of Jose Mourinho, Mancini was signed by Internazionale for €13Malong with Ricardo Quaresma and Sulley Muntari in his maiden season. (Although Mancini was a long desire target of Massimo Moratti and ex-coach Roberto Mancini).

However, to date he has failed to become a first team regular due to his lack of consistency.
[edit] Milan

On 1 February 2010, he moved to local fierce rivals A.C. Milan, on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season, with an option for the Rossoneri to acquire half of the player's rights at the end of the loan spell