juventus 0- milan 1

juventus 0- milan 1
Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, Sorensen, Traore (Bonucci 84'), Felipe Melo, Marchisio, Martinez, Krasic, Matri (Del Piero 81'), Toni (Iaquinta 63')

Milan: Abbiati, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Jankulovski, Abate, Van Bommel, Boateng (Robinho 46'), Flamini, Gattuso, Cassano (Seedorf 71'), Ibrahimovic


After Pato’s late withdrawal due to the fever, Milan were forced to make changes. In Allegri’s 4-3-1-2 Abbiati started in goal behind Abate, Nesta Thiago Silva and Jankulovski Whilst the same midfield as the Napoli game was played (Flamini, Van Bommel, Gattuso). In attack, Robinho was on the bench perhaps with the Spurs game in mind, whilst Boateng’s impressive display earned him a starting spot behind Ibrahimovic and Cassano who was in for the ill Pato.

It seemes like all of Milan’s games start off at some pace nowadays, and this was no difference. Within minutes Milan could have led after an excellent ball in found Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but his shot was blocked well and the ball went high over the bar. Despite the exciting start though, there wasn’t much action in the opening 10 minutes, but both sides looked fairly dangerous on the counter – particularly Krasic’s driving running style for Juve (which also made it tricky to challenge him).

Pato will not play against Juve
Boateng: ‘I will tattoo the club logo’

After Juve had the better of the first 10 minutes or so (despite Milan being closest to scoring) the game was open, and Milan began to dominate, with some well worked combinations from Ibrahimovic and Cassano, as well as an excellent idea from a corner, where the ball was played out and then back in for Cassano running in to the side of the box – but the play was read well by Juve, and they were able to clear. Despite the game being open, there were no clear cut scoring chances early on.

Milan were imposing themselves more and more on the game, and just after 20 minutes, Milan very nearly took the lead! After a superb ball from Kevin-Prince Boateng, the ball fell to the feet of Antonio Cassano. The Italin did well to drag the ball right before cutting it back inside – but as he went to curl his shot in to the back of the net, he leaned back slightly and the ball sat up awkwardly – it ended up over the bar. Juve were getting a lot of dangerous free kicks around the Milan area, but failed to take advantage.

With not far off half an hour gone, Milan were noticably the better side, and were looking to get forward. Gennaro Gattuso played a superb ball downfield for Antonio Cassano, and Cassano did well to bring it down, and play it in to the box. His ball was looking for Ibrahimovic, and the Swede went to volley it goalwards first time – however, Ibrahimovic misread the flight of the ball, and the ball ended up bouncing past him to the touchline away from danger.

The Rossoneri were on top with 5 minutes to go before half time, and were getting quite a bit of joy from playing long balls inbetween the center back and full back, but still Milan were unable to capitalise. Both teams looked dangerous – particularly on the counter, though Milan were marginally the better side in the first half.

Milan had an oppertunity late on as Ibrahimovic showed great pace to beat Chiellini to the ball, after a slight mix up between him and Cassano, Fantantonio found himself fouled from behind, but nothing was given. Juve broke and Van Bommel was booked for a late tackle but nothing came of the free kick. After a fast and frantic opening part to the half, the game settled down to a much slower pace. Krasic had impressed for Juve, and Milan had just looked dangerous in general, though Cassano came the closest to giving Milan the lead, the score was 0-0 at half time.

At half time, Robinho was brought on for Kevin-Prince Boateng, in the hope of establishing a link between midfield and attack.

Milan started the second half in a similar vein to how they started the first. In the early exchnages though, the best effort came from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After a Milan counter, the Rossoneri had a free kick from around 25 yards out, and he blasted it goalwards with a dipping swerving shot. The effort had Gianluigi Buffon scrambling across goal, but the Italian just about managed to parry it wide and away from danger. Milan were now clearly the better team. Ibrahimovic did go down in Juve’s box a minute later wanting a penalty, it wasn’t clear either way but the referee waved play on regardless.

With almost 70 minutes on the clock, Milan took the lead! After a ball in to the box, Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed to knock the ball back towards the edge of the box. Gennaro Gattuso took one touch forward on the bounce after picking it up on the edge of the are, and then struck the ball hard and low back across goal with his weaker foot, leaving Buffon helpless as it head towards the bottom corner to give Milan the lead! A great finish for one not known for his finishing ability! After this Clarence Seedorf came on to replace Antonio Cassano.

In the next 10 minutes, there were no clear cut chances. Ibrahimovic was put through once, but he was found to be offside – which was unfortunate since he had managed to play an excellent ball for Seedorf to tap in, but the whistle had already gone.

Milan came close to doubling their lead shortly after. After some excellent play on the right flank from Clarence Seedorf, the dutchman chipped the ball in to the box. Ibrahimovic positioned himself well and played an intelligent knockdown for Flamini, but he couldn’t take it first time and Robinho’s late run in to the box prevented him from getting a shot away. The ball did end up at Robinho’s feet, and he shifted it before taking a shot but it was blocked, and nothing came from the corner.

As the game approached the end, the game settled down. It seems Milan were happy enough with the 1-0 win, and were content on remaining comfortable, whereas Juve were struggling to create much. Juventus made a very late claim for a penalty late on, right on the edge of the area, but it wasn’t as much of a penalty as Ibra’s earlier claim, and so correctly a penalty was not given..

The full time whistle sinalled a deserved and well earned victory for Milan. The Rossoneri have ticked off another one of their remaining games against big teams, and are now 1 step closer to the Scudetto after a huge 3 points against Juve – Massimiliano Allegri can now turn his attentions to the midweek clash with Spurs at White Hart Lane…

Best Moment: Gattuso’s quality finish

Man of the Match: Gennaro Gattuso, mainly for the winner but he looked solid throughout.

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

RINO GATTUSO IS BACK

Rino gattuso, pemain kesayangan saya telah kembali...
Beliau telah kembali merumput. Debutnya pasca menepi selama lima bulan akibat cedera, berakhir dengan kemenangan. Namun 'Sang Badak' mengaku dirinya baru bisa memberi kontribusi kecil bagi tim.

Gattuso tampil selama 45 menit ketika memperkuat Milan di ajang turnamen persahabatan Piala Taci Oil melawan Albania, Rabu (13/5/2009) dinihari WIB di Tirana, Albania. Dalam laga itu, Milan menang dengan agregat 7-8 melalui adu penalti, setelah di waktu normal kedua tim bermain imbang 3-3.

"Malam ini saya merasa sedikit emosional karena kembali ke lapangan setelah lima bulan istirahat, maka Anda akan merasa takut akan cedera lagi. Namun setelah beberapa menit saya memperoleh kembali kepercayaan diri dan semua berjalan dengan baik," tukas Gattuso yang dalam laga itu sempat menjadi kapten tim, seperti dikutip dari situs resmi Milan.

Meski telah kembali merumput, namun 'Si Badak' belum mau bicara banyak soal kesiapannya turun di kompetisi. "Saya pikir saya belum siap untuk main 90 menit. Liga adalah hal yang berbeda. Saya merasa belum nyetel lagi dengan ritme permainan," tambah pemain yang absen sejak Desember 2008 akibat cedera lutut itu.

Eks pemain Salernitana ini juga tidak khawatir bila nantinya harus kembali bersaing untuk memperebutkan posisi di tim inti Milan. "Dalam lima bulan ini saya tidak memikirkan tentang posisi di lapangan sebab penyembuhan cedera lutut menjadi fokus utama dan itu membuat saya tidak sempat berpikir soal posisi. Banyak pemain lain yang bermain lebih baik daripada saya, dan mereka berhak untuk posisi itu."

"Saat ini, saya hanya bisa memberikan kontribusi kecil pada tim dan bila saya diberi kesempatan bermain, maka saya akan tampil maksimal," pungkasnya.

Milan kini berada di posisi kedua klasemen sementara Seri A, dengan poin 71 atau tertinggal tujuh poin dari pemuncak klasemen sementara Inter Milan. Di tiga laga tersisa, Milan harus menghadapi Udinese, AS Roma, dan Fiorentina.