Hasil Liga Italia 12 Februari 2012, Milan Atasi Udinese

Susunan Pemain
Udinese: Handanovic; Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi; Basta, Isla (Pasquale 61'), Pazienza (Torje 88'), Fernandes, Armero; Abdi; Di Natale (Floro Flores 75')

Milan: Amelia; Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Mesbah; Emanuelson, Ambrosini, Nocerino (Lopez 66'); Seedorf; El Shaarawy, Robinho (Bonera 88')

Udinese tampil menggebrak di awal pertandingan, tim tuan rumah mendapatkan peluang pertama di menit ke-tujuh saat Almen Abdi melepas tembakan di garis kotak penalti AC Milan, sayang tendangannya masih menyamping.

Namun tidak butuh waktu terlalu lama bagi Udinese untuk memecah kebuntuan, Antonio Di Natale berhasil mejebol gawang Milan di menit ke-19 setelah sebelumnya melakukan kerjasama apik dengan Gelson Fernandes.

Highlights Udinese 1-2 AC Milan 11-02-2012 by Maestro21Channel

Tertinggal satu gol membuat Milan mencoba menekan pertahanan Udinese, namun meskipun berhasil menguasai permainan skuad asuhan Max Allegri tersebut tidak mampu menembus pertahanan rapat Udinese.

Bahkan, Udinese yang hampir menggandakan keunggulan melalui serangan balik di menit ke-35. Tetapi tembakan first time Di Natale setelah mendapatkan umpan matang di kotak penalti masih belum menemui sasaran sehingga kedudukan 1-0 tetap bertahan hingga turun minum.


Milan mencoba langsung menggebrak di awal babak kedua, baru tiga menit berjalan, Milan mendapatkan peluang untuk menyamakan kedudukan melalui umpan silang Robinho ke kotak penalti Udinese, sayang Nocerino gagal menyambar bola yang melintas di depannya tersebut.

Milan terus mendominasi permainan, namun mereka tetap tampak kesulitan menembus pertahanan disiplin yang diperagakan oleh skuad Udinese. Sementara tuan rumah terus mengancam Milan melalui serangan-serangan balik yang cepat, beberapa kali mereka mendapat peluang melalui Di Natale dan Armero, namun belum dapat mengubah kedudukan.

Pada menit ke-75, kembali melalui serangan balik, Udinese hampir berhasil menggandakan kedudukan. Kali ini tembakan terarah Maurizio Domizzi berhasil diantisipasi dengan gemilang oleh Marco Amelia. Satu menit kemudian, Amelia kembali menunjukkan kegemilangannya setelah berhasil memblok sepakan pemain Udinese.

Satu menit kemudian, Milan berhasil menyamakan kedudukan menjadi 1-1 melalui serangan balik usai menggagalkan tendangan penjuru Udinese. Striker abru Milan Maxi Lopez berhasil memecahkan kebuntuan setelah sontekannya berhasil merobek jala Hadanovic.

Setelah kedudukan imbang, tempo permainan kembali meningkat, El Shaarawy hampir membuat Milan balik unggul apabila dia dapat lebih tenang ketika hanya berhadapan dengan Handanovic di kotak penalti.

El Shaarawy akhirnya berhasil menebus kesalahannya setelah ia mencetak gol di menit ke-85. Memanfaatkan umpan Maxi Lopez, striker bernomor punggung 92 tersebut berhasil menaklukkan Handanovic dan membalikkan kedudukan menjadi 2-1. Gol tersebut sekaligus menjadi gol kemenangan untuk Milan.

Dengan kemenangan tersebut, Milan berhak menduduki posisi puncak menggusur Juventus dengan selisih dua poin. Sementara itu, Udinese gagal menembus tiga besar karena kekalahan tersebut.

MILAN 3 BRESCIA 0

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta (Yepes 46), Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini (Flamini 63); Boateng; Ibrahimovic (Ronaldinho 69), Robinho

Brescia: Sereni; Zebina, Bega, Martinez; Berardi, Vass (Budel 66), Hetemaj, Daprelà; Diamanti, Kone (Eder 58); Caracciolo



The Rossoneri got off to a flyer just 3 minutes in, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic worked a good move down the left with Ambrosini, before pulling it back across the box – where Kevin-Prince Boateng was waiting to tap in his first goal for the club! An excellent start!

Milan continued their domination in the first 10 minutes, though Brescia did have one close moment, when Carraciolo was played in with a ball overhead, but Thiago Silva and Nesta managed to deal with it fairly easily.

Robinho came close to doubling Milan’s lead just moments later, once again Ibrahimovic playing the role of provider, he played it inside for the brazilian, who cut in and struck it hard and low, but Sereni held the ball well – the Brescia ‘keeper ensuring he didn’t.

A quarter of an hour in to the game, Brescia almost equalised, Carraciolo with an excellent overhead kick sending the ball goalwards, only for Christian Abbiati to deny them the goal with an excellent diving save.

Robinho – who’d made a good start to the game – was the next to come close for Milan, after some trademark stepovers on the left, he cut in to the box but his finish was poor – and hit the side netting.

The brazilian did give Milan a 2 goal lead just moments later though, after a poor backpass from Hetemaj, Robinho had a free shot against Sereni, and this time he had no chance of keeping out his shot, as Robinho finished by placing it in to the bottom left corner.

Milan had 3 before the 30 minute mark, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored! After picking up the ball inside the box, he used his close control and strength to keep the defenders at bay, before shifting it to the right and smashing it past the helpless Brescia goalkeeper, a goal of the highest quality.

The Rossoneri should’ve made it w just 3 minutes later, some carless play from ex-Juve defender Jonathan Zebina led to Kevin-Prince Boateng having a chance to score – Matteo Sereni pulled off a very good save to deny him, and Robinho just about reached the loose ball, but he couldn’t quite get enough on it to score, and it remained 3-0.

The pressure from Milan was relentless, after a mazy run from Robinho, the Rossoneri had a free kick right at the edge of the box. Andrea Pirlo curled it towards the bottom corner, but Sereni dived well to punch clear, and keep the damage to 3 goals.

5 minutes from the end of the half, Ibrahimovic pulled off a delicious flick over the top for Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose hard struck volley went narrowly over the bar, Milan were playing in style and dominating with ease!

Milan ended the half on top, as they’d started it, it was 3-0 at the break but it could easily have been more, nonetheless, the Rossoneri were totally dominating, and playing with some swagger.

At half time, Mario Yepes was brought on to replace Nesta – no cause for concer, Allegri was just resting Nesta, given that Milan were already 3-0 up and keeping Nesta fresh is important.

The second half started in a much less active manner, the first real chance didn’t come until 60 minutes, where Abate played in Boateng down the wing, who then put it in the box. After the Brescia defenders all missed it, it came towards Robinho – who decided to hit it first time rather than taking a touch first – and as a result went flying over the bar.

Gattuso almost scored just minutes later, Robinho putting a great ball in to the box, only for the Italian’s shot to be saved by Sereni after an excellent first touch, and a pretty decent effort.

Massimo Ambrosini was then replaced by Mathieu Flamini, once more with the purpose of keeping him fresh, whilst Milan piled on the pressure once more.

It was almost 4-0 moments later, as a deflected cross from Abate flew high up in to the sky – only for Zlatan Ibrahimovic (with his back to goal) to get right underneath it, and try an overhead/scissor kick style shot, which dribbled narrowly wide past the post!

The last substitution was for Ibrahimovic, with Ronaldinho getting a chance to show what he could do with just over 20 minutes left, whilst giving Ibra a well earned rest.

Ronaldinho was inolved within minutes, as Robinho dribbled down the flank, he played a ball in to the middle, and Dinho attempted a difficult first time powerful volley at goal, which went narrowly over the bar – the brazilian almost netting a spectacular goal within minutes.

Mathieu Flamini seemed to be enjoying himself, and he was the next to almost score, after Gattuso slipped the ball forward for the frenchman to strike with power, however, it didn’t trouble Sereni in the Brescia goal.

The game ended 3-0, and it was a totally dominant performance. The only disappointing aspect was the fact that Milan seemed to sit back a bit in the second half, and failed to take any more chances, nonetheless the Rossoneri looked assured, confident and some of the play was brilliant.

Best Moment: Ibra’s fantastic goal

Man of the Match: Robinho – could’ve been a few others, but he did a lot of running, made some nice interception, took his goal well and is improving with every game

Zlatan 1 Fiorentina 0

Milan: Abbiati; Bonera, Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf (Ronaldinho 86), Flamini; Robinho (Boateng 77), Ibrahimovic

Fiorentina: Boruc; Comotto, Kroldrup, Natali (Camporese 46), Pasqual; Donadel, D'Agostino; Cerci (Santana 60), Ljajic, Marchionni (Vargas 76); Gilardino

A goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic was enough to take AC Milan four points clear at the top of Serie A thanks to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina.

The in-form Sweden striker scored on the stroke of half-time to take the Rossoneri away from the chasing pack at the top of the table and set them up for their midweek Champions League tie with Auxerre.

Fiorentina ended the game with 10 men as Per Kroldrup was shown a red card just seconds before the end.

Daniel Bonera signalled the home team's intent after just 50 seconds when his 20-yard shot was tipped over the crossbar by Artur Boruc.

But Fiorentina soon settled and started to create the better chances.

Gaetano D'Agostino's free-kick was curled just over the top of the wall and brought a fine one-handed save out of Christian Abbiati, who was alert again in the 18th minute to tip Kroldrup's header over the crossbar.

Adam Ljajic should have made Abbiati work again in the 28th minute, but he did not seem fully committed to an inviting cross from Alessio Cerci which was begging to be headed in.

Clarence Seedorf made Boruc work at the other end after half an hour before the home side went ahead.

Ibrahimovic controlled the ball inside the penalty area with his back to goal and he managed to create a chance by juggling the ball and scoring with an overhead kick.

Alessandro Nesta should have doubled their lead in the 56th minute with a free header from eight yards and Ljajic almost made Milan pay for not adding a second when he found room inside the area in the 83rd minute, but he shot straight at Abbiati.

Fiorentina could not find a way through and the frustration got the better of Kroldrup, who was shown a yellow card for a foul in midfield and then received another for what he said to the referee.

Inter 0 Ibra 1, Forza Milan!

THE ROSSONERI won the Derby della Madonnina 1-0 earlier tonight, , Zlatan Ibrahimovic securing a win for Milan to break Inter’s undefeated home record and to put them top of the table, despite playing with 10 men for a third of the match!

Inter: Castellazzi; Cordoba, Materazzi, Lucio, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Sneijder, Obi (Coutinho 36); Eto'o, Milito

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Flamini; Robinho, Ibrahimovic

AC Milan returned to the top of Serie A tonight with victory over city rivals Inter in the 275th Derby della Madonnina at the San Siro.

A penalty from former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the fifth minute was enough to decide a game which Milan ended with 10 men after Ignazio Abate was sent off on the hour mark.

The result takes Milan back to the top of the table above Lazio and leaves Inter six points adrift in fifth.

The eagerly-anticipated derby started with a bang as Milan were awarded a penalty after just four minutes.

Marco Materazzi caught Ibrahimovic as he pulled the ball back just inside the area and there were no complaints from the Nerazzurri defender when the spot-kick was awarded.

Ibrahimovic stepped up to blast the penalty past Luca Castellazzi, who was again deputising for the injured Julio Cesar in the Inter goal.

Milan, officially the visiting team at the San Siro, did not want to settle down having taken an early lead and they continued to trouble the hosts' defence.

Ibrahimovic broke the offside trap in the 13th minute and sent the ball towards Mathieu Flamini in the centre, where Ivan Cordoba made a despairing lunge to clear the ball ahead of the Frenchman.

Ibrahimovic was left in acres of room again in the penalty area when he lifted the ball over Lucio and again looked for a team-mate in the centre, but Materazzi this time made the clearance just ahead of Clarence Seedorf.

A volley from the inspired Swede only just cleared the top of the crossbar as Inter did not know what was hitting them.

An injury to Joel Obi turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the home team as coach Rafael Benitez was forced to change his side and give it a more attack-minded look with Coutinho coming on.

The Nerazzurri finally found a foothold in the game and Wesley Sneijder sent a free-kick just inches wide of the post into the side-netting after being fouled by Gennaro Gattuso, who was riding his luck having already been booked.

Another Sneijder free-kick in the 56th minute tested Christian Abbiati, who pushed the ball away.

Abate tried to be a hero for Milan when he tried to play on despite being carried off on a stretcher with a back injury, but he turned into a villain when he was shown a second yellow card for a clash with Goran Pandev when Luca Antonini was already stripped and ready to replace him.

Antonini came on anyway to replace Robinho as Milan set their stall out to defend their lead for the final 30 minutes.

Inter, try as they might, simply could not find a way through the massed ranks of red and black shirts and the defending champions had to admit defeat as their city rivals held on for the win.


VERSI INDONESIA
Pertarungan Derby della Madonina antara Inter Milan kontra AC Milan berlangsung ketat dan panas. Milan akhirnya keluar sebagai pemenang berkat gol penalti Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Gol penalti Ibrahimovic tercipta saat laga yang dihelat di Stadion Giuseppe Meazza, Senin (15/11/2010) dinihari WIB, itu baru berlangsung lima menit. Ternyata, gol itu menjadi gol tunggal di laga ini.

Inter sebenarnya diuntungkan ketika Milan dipaksa bermain dengan 10 orang dalam setengah jam terakhir usai Ignazio Abate diusir wasit usai bersitegang dengan Goran Pandev. Namun menang jumlah pemain tidak sanggup dimaksimalkan Nerazzurri.

Dengan kemenangan ini, Milan kembali tampil sebagai pemuncak klasemen sementara Seri A dengan nilai 26 dari 12 laga. Sementara Inter tertahan di posisi lima dengan nilai 20.

Jalannya pertandingan
Pertandingan baru berusia empat menit ketika Milan memperoleh penalti akibat dijatuhkannya Ibrahimovic oleh Marco Materazzi. Ibra sendiri yang mengambil penalti sukses melakukan tugasnya.

Pada menit ke-22, Milan sempat memasukkan bola lagi ke gawang Inter yang dikawal kiper Luca Castelazzi. Namun gol dianulir karena Ibrahimovic yang mencetaknya sudah off-side.

Setelah skor 1-0 bertahan hingga jeda, Inter bermain lebih agresif di babak kedua. Menit 55, sebuah tendangan deras Wesley Sneijder memaksa kiper Milan, Christian Abbiati, menepisnya ke luar lapangan.

Di menit 60, kekuatan Milan berkurang satu setelah Abate diusir wasit. Pemain belakang Rossoneri itu mendapatkan kartu kuning kedua usai bersitegang dengan Pandev. Sementara Pandev yang kedapatan mendorong Abate malah bebas dari hukuman.

Akibat kartu merah Abate, arsitek Milan Massimiliano Allegri, memilih untuk menarik Robinho dan memasukkan seorang bek, Luca Antonini, demi menambal lini belakang.

Unggul jumlah pemain, Inter berusaha menekan. Namun hingga marka 90 menit terlewati, tidak ada satu pun peluang emas yang bisa mereka kreasikan, apalagi hingga mencetak gol.

Skor 1-0 buat kemenangan Milan pun bertahan sampai wasit meniup peluit panjang tanda berakhirnya permainan.

Susunan pemain
Inter: Castellazzi; Cordoba, Materazzi (Biabiany 68), Lucio, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Sneijder, Obi (Coutinho 36); Eto'o, Milito (Pandev 46)

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Gattuso (Pirlo 46), Ambrosini, Seedorf (Boateng 73), Flamini; Robinho (Antonini 62), Ibrahimovic

Milan 3 Palermo 0 : bravo Pato,bravo Ibra,bravo Binho

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Yepes, Thiago Silva, Antonini;
Flamini, Ambrosini, Boateng; Seedorf; Ibrahimovic, Pato.

Palermo:
Sirigu; Cassani, Munoz, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Bacinovic,
Nocerino; Pastore, Ilicic; Pinilla.



Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a penalty and made the third goal for Milan as they overcame Palermo at the San Siro. The home side had gone ahead midway through the first half thanks to Pato but Armin Bacinovic equalised just after the break for the away team, before Ibrahimovic stole the points for the Rossoneri at the death.

Both sides started the match at a relatively slow pace as they tried to play keep ball for the opening exchanges, but it was the away side who took the first steps to breaking the deadlock, with Armin Bacinovic making some good runs from deep that encouraged his team forward.

This momentum didn't last too long as Milan worked their way into the game and began to take over the midfield. Clarence Seedorf dropped deep and was orchestrating the midfield, showing off his excellent range of passing, which allowed Kevin-Prince Boateng freedom to bomb forward and test Salvatore Sirigu with a number of long range efforts.

Applying almost constant pressure it wasn't long before Milan broke the deadlock with Seedorf supplying the ammunition for Pato's bullet header that gave the Rossoneri the lead after 20 minutes.

With Milan having such a territorial advantage Palermo's best hope was a counter attack but their talisman Javier Pastore was off colour as he was barely afforded any time on the ball by the home side.

Mauricio Pinilla had most of Palermo's chances but he couldn't make anything of them and other than the Chilean's efforts they were restricted to tame long range shots as the half drew to a close.

But after the break it seemed Palermo had been given a few choice words from Delio Rossi as they came out with a new intent and fire, putting Milan under pressure and asking questions of Mario Yepes and Thiago Silva in defence.

However, they were dealt a blow when Javier Pastore was taken off five minutes after the restart with a knee injury, but he was replaced by club captain Fabrizio Miccoli. Just as Milan thought they had the game under control again, Bacinovic scored from long range, hitting his shot low along the ground from 25 yards.

Christian Abbiati was unsighted, though he will be bitterly disappointed to have let a seemingly tame shot past him, but his blushes were almost spared as Seedorf hit the post from inside the box at the other end.

It was however another member of the old guard that changed the game as Massimo Ambrosini burst forward and as he took the ball across the six yard box, Sirigu brought him down and a penalty was awarded.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic then stepped up to smash the ball, low into the corner and it wasn't long before the Swede was involved once again as he sprinted down the left side straight into the penalty area before playing the ball to an unmarked Robinho who made it three.

The Brazilian then had the chance to return the favour but his pass was poor and Palermo cleared as Ibrahimovic made his way into the box unmarked.

The result takes Milan to the summit of Serie A after Lazio lost to Cesena, while Palermo drop to ninth place after the midweek games and pressure will be on both teams as it's derby day this weekend, Palermo are at home to Catania and Milan are the designated away side at the San Siro when they face Inter.

Bari 2 Milan 3 : Viva Milan

Bari 2 Milan 3

BARI-MILAN, Formazione Ufficiale/Official Line-up:

BARI: Gillet; Belmonte, Masiello, Rossi, Parisi; Alvarez, Almiron, Donati, Pulzetti; Kutuzov, Barreto.
MILAN: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Flamini; Seedorf; Ibrahimovic, Robinho.

GOAL
Vitaly Kutuzov (65) Massimo Ambrosini (4)
Paulo Vito Barreto (90) Mathieu Flamini (31)
Pato (72)

Serie A 2009/2010 : Siena- Milan Preview

Leonardo De Araujo makes his debut as first team coach, in the Italian Serie A. The Brazilian is one of the three debuting coaches in Serie A along with Atzori (Catania) and Russo (Livorno). If he plays, Gennaro Gattuso will make his 400th official appearence with Milan's shirt, having made his debut on 15 September 1999 in Chelsea-Milan 0-0 (Champions League). Gattuso has made 276 appearences in Serie A, 23 in the Coppa Italia, 2 in the Italian Supercup, 79 in the Champions League, 14 in the Uefa Cup, 2 in the European Supercup, and 3 in the Intercontinental Cup/Club World Cup. If he plays, Cristiano Del Grosso makes his 100th appearence in Serie A: his debut was on 28 August 2005, Ascoli-Milan 1-1.

Here is the list of players called up for Siena-Milan: Perucchini, Roma, Storari, Antonini, Favalli, Jankulovski, Nesta, Onyewu, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Abate, Ambrosini, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Borriello, Inzaghi, Pato, Ronaldinho.
Unavailable players: Dida, Abbiati, Bonera, Di Gennaro.
Players not called up: Kaladze, Oddo, Zigoni.
Suspended: Huntelaar.


Here are the main declarations of the Rossoneri's coach.

HUNTELAAR'S SUSPENSION
"We knew, there was the hope to remove it, but there was not possibility to field him. Unfortunately he cannot play, but we knew that.

THE FIRST MATCH AGAINST SIENA AND THE SEASON
"The first matchday arrives, now we are all at zero points and we start off on the same level. Tomorrow's game is one we can have to face fully concentrated. We must act like in the Berlusconi Trophy, playing with the same attention and concentration. It was an important month of work, I think that the team is ready.

"Starting out well is always fundamental, managing to give a fingerprint to our performance would important for ourselves. I don't think that it is decisive to win or lose, but I think that the team is able to start off well. We have reacted well to the difficulties and the proof was Milan-Juve at San Siro. We need to give a signal straight away to ourselves and to the others to prove what we are. We cannot say today what we are, it will be the games to say so, in the path of the season.

"Who can win the Scudetto? I will not make too many calculations, let's think about ourselves and to how we can improve. Starting from Bonera, Dida and Abbiati, apart from Di Gennaro, we have available everyone and this is very important. We know the commitments we have, I don't want to stay here to preach what we shall do and what we will not do. Milan can always start with the willl to win. Game after game, we shall understand what we can do. We start out knowing that we are Milan and that we have inside us this will to win. Then it will be the games to determine things. We play match after match and we'll see where we can arrive.

FORMATION AND INJURIES

"The formation doubts will always be there and if we will have the entire squad available, the doubts will always be welcome. Everyone is returning and this is what matters. The basis to the squad which goes on the pitch is that of the team who played in the Berlusconi Trophy.

"Borriello or Inzaghi? I see them well both, they are different players. The choice can be for their characteristics. I will keep the doubt until tomorrow, I want to understand also how Siena will play, we don't know exactly what to expect. They tried the 4-3-1-2, but they also have the possibility for the 4-3-3. We'll see.

"Kaladze had a series of injuries, he stopped, he is doing a new period of preparation. His week has been very good, he's close to be totally available. If this team will always have its potential available, it will be a good season. Oddo not called-up? With Massimo I have always spoken and I had done so also with Kalac. Right from the start I told him that I had some ideas and that if he had found a better place than the one of Milan today, we could have spoke about it. He has always worked hard in all of the moments of the preparation and this is very important. The transfer market is open. If he had to find a better place we'll see. De Silvestri? In the transfer market one thing is tied to another, we must see. We have to wait. We start off with this group and I think that it's a valid group. The idea is a player on the wing, but there are many impossible names. We'll see what is possible until August 31. The moment in general, on the transfer market, is of economic difficulty. We see the big clubs, but also the average and the small ones. It's a period like this."

A FIRST BALANCE
"We're coming from a tiring month, useful for some tests. Today I feel strong, more inside the squad, I confronted myself with a different role which I like more, I find in the players a continuous response which makes me go forward. All that we have suffered last year we paid for it even until today: the recovery of Nesta and Gatuzo, fundamental players, Borriello who was out for a year, Kaladze out for a long period, Bonera still out, Inzaghi, Seedorf and Ambro at times not available during the preparation... I did not expect a brilliant Milan for these reasons. What I see today is that this team has a unique sense of belonging, to Milan: everyone knows their importance and what it is to live the Rossoneri's world. This is the departure. The rest, tactics, form and so one, must be built.The solid base is a matter of pride and objectives and this exists and is increasing. It's this energy that makes the world go round, the rest is built day after day.

"How can you have trust in this Milan? During the preparation we did not prove our real value. Until Chelsea, in reality we had done very well, until the squad was full and complete. We were not in form but we had energies to use. From then onwards, Amrbo and Seedorf stopped, Borriello, Nesta and Gattuso felt the initial sprint. What this team is, is not the picture of the preparation. The week of work at Milanello was very positive and it was a proud response to start again. At our return from America I think that Milan improved a lot."

THE BENCH DEBUT

"If I'm excited for the bench debut? Sincerely my personal stories I now see them useless, I'm in the role of thinking about the others' emotions, not mine. This career is a surprise for me. I'm thinking about making a career, I'm responding to a call of a club to whom I'm completely tied and I try to do my best, with what is my experience. Honestly my personal stories and emotions fall a bit. I'm only worried about reching my objectives.

SILVIO BERLUSCONI AND RONALDINHO

"My rapport with Berlusconi is very good. When he talks about swage cuts and so on, he speaks like a football director, more than as Milan president. He talks about a football idea which needs to be re-thought. His words are tied to ties, for a more sustainable football in the future.

"Berlusconi is in love with Ronaldinho, he knows that he has a pearl at home which needs to be used at its best. I have known Ronaldinho since always, I know his story, I play for years with his brother, I'm Brazilian. His training session today was beautiful to see. He must do what he did today always. I will do everything to make him and the entire team give their best. I want to get from him, and from those who can, the best. He's improving, he's returning, either now or never, his moment for Milan and the national team is now, in all sense, also for the prearation he has made.

THE BRAZILIANS, THE NATIONAL TEAM AND THE ROSSONERI'S TACTICS

"Pato is an incredible talent who must affirm himself in the national teal. Thiago is paying for those six months he did with us without playing. I think that both, just like Ronaldino, will soon return in Brazil. Egoistically we have them here for ourselves, it's a positive thing. Ronaldinho today is playing as a forward. We play with 4-3-1-2 with Ronaldinho as forward and he must be decisive in attack. We play like we have always played. I Pato can become top-scorer. He has enormous possibilities, he has grown, he has become more man also in his physique. He has speed, he is spontaneous in his movements, easily arrives, but he needs to find continuity. He has scored 15 goals last year, but he has head of him still many things to do."

LIPPI-MOURINHO

"The row between Mourinho-Lippi? I'm out of it, in order not to add other opinions. It's not that I don't want to sway one side or the other, it's that I have other things in my mind. What I can say is that I'm happy about the good luck tha Mourinho gave me in Boston and the charge that Lippi gave me at the Berlusconi trophy. We met and he was very nice with me."

8/22 17:00 UK Bologna VS Fiorentina
8/22 19:45 UK Siena VS AC Milan
8/23 17:00 UK Internazionale VS Bari
8/23 19:45 UK Livorno VS Cagliari
8/23 19:45 UK Genoa VS AS Roma
8/23 19:45 UK Lazio VS Atalanta
8/23 19:45 UK Catania VS Sampdoria
8/23 19:45 UK Palermo VS Napoli
8/23 19:45 UK Juventus VS Chievo Verona
8/23 19:45 UK Udinese VS Parma