Official : Ronaldinho to Flamengo, Onyewu to Twente ,Rodrigo Ely is officially a Milan player

DINHO TO FLAMENGO
RONALDINHO is officially an ex-Milan player as he has joined Flamengo on Tuesday.

After long days of negotiations, an agreement has been reached and Ronaldinho has left Milan to join Flamengo and with it, end his European career.

He joined Paris Saint-Germain from Gremio in 2001. After two seasons, he moved to Spanish giants FC Barcelona, where he had become one of the most known players in the world.

After winning almost everything with Barcelona and Brazil, Dinho arrived in Milan. His first year was frustrating for him, but he shined under Leonardo. After a half of the current season R80 decided to go home following the departure of Leonardo.

Ronaldinho is clearly one of the best players of the last decade, maybe even the best. He has won plenty of titles including FIFA Player of the Year twice and the Ballon d’Or in 2005. He won the Golden Foot Award for his career achievements in 2009.

Flamengo President Patricia Amorim announced on his arrival: “We have the pleasure of announcing the presence of Ronaldinho for the next four years.”

Milan will get 3 million for the player, who will earn €130,000-a-week wage.
We wish Ronaldinho all the best and good luck in the future!


ONYEWU TO TWENTE
OGUCHI ONYEWU has been sent to the Netherlands on a six-month loan deal.

Eredivisie Champions have announced on the arrival of Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu on loan today through their official website.

The American giant (1.93 meters) has failed to make any impact on the Rossoneri during the time he spent with them, making only one official appearance, in the UCL against FC Zurich.



Onyewu will be reunited with the man who coached him at Standard Liège, from where he came to Italy, and he hoes to play some regular football again.

Michel Preud’homme would welcome the USA international. Gooch could have his debut next week when Twente take on Heracles Almelo.



Rodrigo Ely is officially a Milan player
RODRIGO ELY has finally received an EU-passport and can join the Primavera.

The strong Brazilian center back has already agreed his terms with Milan last February but has waited long enough to become a Milan player.

The 17-year-old has obtained an EU-passport today and has officially become a Rossonero.

The former Gremio man would be a great addition to the squad of the Primavera, coached by Giovanni Stroppa, as they are competing for the title as well as the Italian Cup, which they won last year.

Ely, who is considered the heir of Milan’s Thiago Silva, will have a tough competition for a place in the eleven of Stroppa as Michelangelo Albertazzi and Nicola Pasini usually start the games.

Champions League : milan 2 auxerre 0

MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Nesta, Bonera, Antonini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho

AUXERRE: Sorin; Hengbart, Coulibaly, Mignot, Grichting; Pedretti, Ndinga; Oliech, Langil, Birsa; Jelen

After a goalless first half, Milan beat Auxerre 2-0 thanks to a brace from Ibrahimovic (66' and 69').

Milan’s miserable six-game run of home European games without a win was ended thanks to the influence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who lead the Rossoneri to a 2-0 Champions League success over Auxerre at the San Siro.

With Massimiliano Allegri’s side toiling to create chances, an angled Ronaldinho centre was knocked on by substitute Kevin-Prince Boateng, with Ibrahimovic getting the decisive touch just in front of AJA goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Suddenly the pressure was lifted on the Italians, and as their opponents advanced a Ronaldinho surge from the midfield resulted in a pass that further exposed the French defence. Ibrahimovic wasn’t about to pass up the chance, side-footing a neat finish into the corner of the net from 18 yards to score his second goal in three minutes, killing the game off.

This would not be an entirely comfortable evening for the Milanese side, who were poor until they opened the scoring.

Adama Coulibaly came closest for the guests with 22 minutes on the clock, towering above Alessandro Nesta to head against the junction of post and bar from a corner kick.

This was by no means the only chance the Burgundy club had to open the scoring. Just before the interval a Milan corner broke down and as their veteran players lumbered back, the sprightly Burgundy club shot forward only for Steeven Langil to shoot from an impossible angle when two team-mates were waiting in the centre for a simple tap-in.


The Rossoneri had made a woeful start to the game from a defensive point of view, looking incredibly sloppy in the opening minutes. Valter Birsa and Langil were both given sights of goal, though Christian Abbiati wasn’t called into serious action on either occasion.

After these early wobbles, the hosts did get the expect grip on the ball but rarely penetrated. A free kick from Andrea Pirlo was punched away by Olivier Sorin on 22 minutes, while a flurry in the visiting box saw Alexandre Pato have a shot deflected over the top.

Milan perked up following the half-time interval. Pirlo had an effort from distance flash just wide before Luca Antonini’s low, hard cross had no takers moments later.

Only late on, after Ibrahimovic’s double, did Auxerre fight back. A late Dennis Oliech shot drew a save from Abbiati, but the guests couldn’t find even a consolation.

Twelve months ago, the Rossoneri were busy losing 1-0 to Zurich, so although this was by no means an impressive performance, it was a drastic improvement on that nightmarish evening.

BERLUSCONI TROPHY : milan 4 Juventus 5

OFFICIAL LINE-UPS FOR BERLUSCONI TROPHY

MILAN: Abbiati; Bonera, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Oduamadi, Borriello, Ronaldinho.

JUVENTUS: Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Pepe, Marchisio, Felipe Melo, Martinez; Trezeguet, Del Piero

After a goalless ninety minutes, Milan went down 5-4 on penalties to Juventus in the 20th Berlusconi Trophy.

Massimiliano Allegri sent this line-up out: Christian Abbiati in goal; a defence of Daniele Bonera and Luca Antonini at full-back, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Thiago Silva in the central. In midfield the coach went for Massimo Ambrosini, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf. The attack was lead by Oduamadi, Borriello and Ronaldinho.

On the bench: Amelia, Yepes, Abate, Flamini, Gattuso, Strasser, Huntelaar e Inzaghi.

Bianconeri coach Gigi Del Neri: Manninger; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Pepe, Marchisio, Felipe Melo, Martinez; Trezeguet, Del Piero.

Milan started brightly and dominated the opening stages with Juventus playing on the break although the Rossoneri defence moved quickly to close down the visiting attack.

Ronaldinho started to create space drifting in from the left and it was a low ball that Oduamadi just failed to control that almost opened the scoring.

Five minutes from the break Bonera hit a powerful left-footed shot which Manninger kept out and then Seedorf hit a stunning volley just wide.

On 76 minutes Flamini turned sharply in the area on the end of a Ronaldinho pass but Manninger pushed the effort away. At the other end Abbiati was across his line to punch a Motta angled shot behind for a corner.

An Ambrosini cross was just too high for Inzaghi and then Flamini almost got on the end of Ronaldinho's through-ball but no breakthrough could be found even with four minutes added.

This was the sequence of penalties:
Ronaldinho (M): GOAL (1-0); Pepe (J): GOAL (1-1); Thiago Silva (M): missed (1-1); Bonucci (J): GOAL (1-2); Bonera (M): GOAL (2-2); Lanzafame (J): GOAL (3-2), Inzaghi: GOAL (3-3); Diego (J): GOAL (4-3); Huntelaar (M): GOAL (4-4); Motta (J): GOAL (5-4).

STATISTICS
MILAN-JUVENTUS 4-5 pens (0-0)
Milan (4-3-3): Abbiati; Antonini, Thiago Silva, Papastathopoulos, Bonera; Seedorf (32' sh Huntelaar), Pirlo (27' sh Gattuso), Ambrosini; Ronaldinho, Borriello (15' sh Inzaghi), Oduamadi (21' sh Flamini). On the bench: Amelia, Yepes, Abate. Coach. Allegri.
Juventus (4-4-2): Manninger; Grygera (34' sh Motta), Legrottaglie (27' sh Bonucci), Chiellini, De Ceglie; Martinez (27' sh Lanzafame), Melo, Marchisio (13' sh Sissoko), Pepe; Trezeguet (13' sh Amauri), Del Piero (13' sh Diego). On the bench: Storari. All. Delneri
Referee: Romeo
Goalscorers: -
Yellow cards: Flamini (M)
Red cards: -

PENALTIES: Ronaldinho (M) goal, Pepe (J) goal, Thiago Silva (M) missed, Bonucci (J) goal, Bonera (M) goal, Lanzafame (J) goal, Inzaghi (M) goal, Diego (J) goal, Huntelaar (M) goal, Motta (J) goal

Ronaldinho to flamego ?

Ronaldinho's agent has denied suggestions the player is set to quit AC Milan for Flamengo this summer.

Ronaldinho has regularly been linked with a return to Brazil

Rumours in Italy have suggested Ronaldinho could be set to leave San Siro, and it was reported in Brazil that he had reached an agreement with Flamengo.

However, his agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, has now dismissed the speculation and revealed he could yet extend his current deal.

"Ronaldinho has never expressed a wish to leave Milan," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "In fact we have an agreement with Milan to review his contract in the autumn."


Reports in Brazil claim Ronaldinho has verbally accepted a contract offer from Flamengo, meaning the two clubs must now agree terms if the former World Player of the Year is to return to his home country.


Ronaldinho could be leaving the San Siro

Ronaldinho has another year left on his contract in Italy but according to globoesporte.com is determined to leave the Rossoneri and return to his home country.

Though Ronaldinho enjoyed a renaissance of sorts when scoring 12 goals and claiming 14 assists in Serie A last season, his campaign ended with disappointment when Milan failed to maintain their title challenge and Dunga refused to name him in Brazil's World Cup squad.

Milan may welcome the chance to lift Ronaldinho off their wage bill as they plan to restructure their squad this summer, with Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic repeatedly cited as a possible target for the Rossoneri.

If Milan and Flamengo cannot reach an agreement, then it is reported that Ronaldinho has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the San Siro for free in the January transfer window - a scenario that plays into Flamengo's hands, particularly as they have already agreed terms with the player.

If he does move to Flamengo then Ronaldinho will reunite with midfielder Kleberson who was a fellow member of Brazil's World Cup winning side from 2002. However Adriano, another quarter of the famous 'magic square' from 2006, has left the club to join Roma.

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.

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.

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.

AC Milan vs Palermo Video highlight

AC Milan vs Palermo Video highlight

Milan - Dida; Zambrotta, Nesta, Favalli, Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Abate, Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Borriello.

Palermo - Sirigu; Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti; Nocerino, Liverani, Bresciano; Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli

Zurich 1- milan1 ( Video highlight : Ronaldinho's goal )

A fright night for AC Milan ended with a 1-1 draw and a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after FC Zürich paid a high price for a single unfortunate challenge.

Ronaldinho penalty
Milan Gajić's superb 29th-minute free-kick for the hosts, who had enjoyed a shock 1-0 win over Milan at San Siro on Matchday 2, looked set to steer the eliminated Swiss champions to a repeat success. But a red card in the 63rd minute for Alain Rochat after he felled Marco Borriello in the area, meant a penalty which Ronaldinho gratefully converted to settle nerves as Milan advanced as Group C runners-up behind Real Madrid CF.

Early chance
Milan made a bright start and needed only seven minutes to create their first chance, with left-back Luca Antonini breaking down the flank to cross, Marco Borriello nodding the ball on and Pato meeting it with a volley which Johnny Leoni did well to smother. It was not a sign of things to come. Zürich's Adrian Nikci swung a left-footed shot just wide by way of reply and although his side needed longer to settle than the seven-times European champions, they were impressive when they did.

Gajić strikes
The hosts could easily have taken the lead in the 26th minute when Gajić threaded the ball past Milan's defence for Alexandre Alphonse to sprint clean through only to balloon his shot over the bar. Gajić made no such mistake three minutes later from over 25 metres, bending his free-kick around the Milan wall and just inside the left-hand post with Dida beaten at full stretch. It was a fair reward for Zürich's efforts and despite Borriello hooking a half-chance over shortly afterwards, Zürich were looking good for their lead. They might even have had a second shortly before the break when Onyekachi Okonkwo sent in a rising shot from the edge of the area, forcing a sharp save from Dida.

Milan switch
Milan, which had struggled in the final third throughout the opening 45 minutes, showed a little more bite after the restart. Fed by Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho drilled in a low angled shot from inside the area which Leoni kept out with a one-handed save. It was not enough for Milan coach Leonardo, who sent on Mathieu Flamini for Massimo Ambrosini to try and stir things up.

Ronaldinho levels
Things certainly livened up in the 63rd minute, when Seedorf slipped a killer pass through to Borriello in the Zürich area and the Italian striker was sent tumbling by Rochat. A red card for the Swiss defender swiftly followed and Ronaldinho gave Leoni no chance with the spot-kick, sending the keeper the wrong way. Suddenly, it was a different contest and Milan substitute Kakha Kaladze came agonisingly close to putting the visitors in front with a header from Andrea Pirlo's free-kick. To their credit, Zürich were determined to exit the competition heads high and they limited Leonardo's men to only half chances late on, but Milan had done enough to advance

HERE THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT

Champion League : FC Zurich vs Milan , GO Milan!!!

AC Milan coach Leonardo, whose side face a decisive Champions League group stage match on Tuesday, said he would not get carried away on a tide of euphoria after their win at the weekend.
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The Italians need to beat Swiss champions FC Zurich away in Group C to qualify for the knockout stage without having to depend on the result of the Olympique Marseille-Real Madrid tie.

Milan are second in the group with eight points, two behind Madrid and one ahead of the French side. Zurich have already been eliminated although their only win so far was away to Milan.

Milan got rave reviews after beating Sampdoria 3-0 at the weekend to slash Inter Milan's Serie A lead to four points.

"This is a very mature squad, there's enthusiasm but no euphoria," Leonardo told a media conference. "I have no worries about the way the team is going to behave.

"We have to keep our concentration and keep playing for 90 minutes. Our objective is the win which gives us the qualification. The important thing is that we just depend on ourselves."

Milan, who said they are optimistic that Ronaldinho will be able to play, could still qualify if they draw or lose but would then depend on Marseille not getting a better result than themselves.

Ronaldinho went off with a hamstring problem against Sampdoria.

Zurich coach Bernard Challandes, whose team have conceded 13 goals in five games and lost to local rivals Grasshoppers at the weekend, denied his players would be short of motivation.

"With or without the chance of qualifying, this is a match against AC Milan in the Champions League," said Challandes. "Any Swiss player who needs motivation to play against Milan should go and do something else.

"We need to play a really good game, then we can say that we had a good Champions League even though we didn't qualify."

Serie A November 22,2009, Milan 4 Cagliari 3

IT'S OVER: MILAN-CAGLIARI 4-3

at san Siro it finished Milan-Cagliari 4-3. In the second half two more goals, one per team: Ronaldinho on a penalty in the 62nd minute and Nené in the 69th.

Milan - Dida; Oddo, Thiago Silva, Kaladze, Zambrotta; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato, Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Borriello.

Cagliari - Marchetti; Canini, Lopez, Astori, Agostini; Dessena, Conti, Biondini; Lazzari; Jeda, Matri.

AC Milan were imperious in attack but woeful defensively in a 4-3 home win over Cagliari on Sunday which summed up their topsy-turvy season.
Clarence Seedorf gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute, but Alessandro Matri replied within five minutes and Andrea Lazzari gave the Sardinians a deserved lead after half an hour. But two goals in as many minutes earned Milan the half-time lead with Marco Borriello and Alexandre Pato on target.

A penalty by Ronaldinho gave the Rossoneri a two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute, but they were made to sweat for their third straight league win when Nene reduced the arrears in the 69th minute.

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

Friendly Match / World Football Challenge Result - MILAN 1-CLUB AMERICA 2

In the first match of the World Football Challenge Milan are defeated. Club America win 2-1, with goals by Esqueda, in the 55th minute, and Marquez in the 84th. Milan had equalised through Inzaghi in the 65th minute. The next match of the tournament will be in two days in Baltimore, against Chelsea.

Here is the report of the match played last night at the Georgia Dome during the World Football Challenge.

MILAN: Storari, Antonini (68' Zambrotta), Nesta (45' Onyewu), Favalli, Jankulovski; Gattuso (75' Strasser), Seedorf (55' Abate), Flamini (79' Ikande), Zigoni, Inzaghi, Ronaldinho

CLUB AMERICA: Navarrete; Cerda (90' Garcia), Rojas, Mosquera (82' Inigo), Rodriguez; Reyna, Sanchez, Carlos Silva (92' Kontogiannis), Beausejour (65' Martinez); Esqueda (79' Chitiva), Cabanas (69' Marquez)

GOALSCORERS: Esqueda (A) 55'; Inzaghi (M) 65'; Marquez (A) 84'

REFEREE: Alex Prus

Ayo Dinho !

Maldini pensiun..
Kaka pergi..
Ancelotti pergi..
Moga moga Dinho bisa menemukan sentuhan emasnya lagi..

AC Milan baru saja kehilangan kapten Paolo Maldini dan andalan di lapangan tengah, Kaka, untuk dua hal berbeda. Kini masa depan Milan diyakini akan banyak bertumpu pada Ronaldinho.

Musim panas ini Maldini sudah resmi gantung sepatu. Menyusul kemudian Kaka, yang sempat disebut-sebut sebagai kapten masa depan Milan, meninggalkan San Siro untuk hijrah ke Real Madrid.

Kehilangan dua pemain penting tadi niscaya memiliki pengaruh yang tidak kecil buat Milan di musim depan. Apalagi mereka juga telah kehilangan pelatihnya, Carlo Ancelotti.

Untuk itu, skuad yang ada di Milan saat ini jelas punya beban tak kecil. Untuk bisa terus maju dengan langkah pasti mereka butuh seorang pemimpin, yang menurut Maldini karakteristiknya dimiliki Ronaldinho.

"Ronaldinho akan memiliki banyak tanggung jawab musim depan. Tahun lalu dia tidak tampil sebagai pemimpin sejati, dan tanggung jawab yang akan dia emban nanti bakal pantas buat dirinya," nilai Maldini kepada Milan Channel yang diwartakan Goal.

Pada musim pertamanya, Ronaldinho sempat mulai dengan menjanjikan. Namun, performanya menurun pada paruh kedua musim debutnya sehingga jarang dijadikan pilihan lagi oleh Ancelotti.

Kepergian Kaka sebelumnya juga sudah dinilai bisa memberikan ruang gerak buat Ronaldinho untuk lebih bersinar bersama Milan. Tentu hanya waktu yang akan menjawab penilaian itu.

DINHO tetap di Milan!

Saya percaya Dingo tetap akan bertahan di Milan musim depan..
Skillnya masih mumpuni dan patut dihargai..
Tak sering dimainkan sebagai starter di musim pertamanya di Milan, Ronaldinho diisukan bakal meninggalkan San Siro dan hijrah ke Inggris. Tapi yang bersangkutan mengaku masih ingin di 'Negeri Pizza'.

Hanya 16 kali Ronaldinho tampil bersama Milan dari menit pertama, dan secara umum pun permainannya dinilai tidak berimbas besar pada kekuatan timnya. Kedatangan David Beckham membuatnya lebih akrab dengan bangku cadangan di paruh kedua musim.

Akhir pekan lalu beredar rumor bahwa mantan pemain terbaik dunia tiga kali itu sedang diincar serius oleh Manchester City. Soal ini, Dinho mengeluarkan pernyataan bantahan.

"Saya akan tetap di sini, siapapun yang akan melatih tim ini musim depan. Memang benar, saya tidak senang karena saat ini tidak sering dimainkan. Tapi saya tak punya masalah dengan (Carlo) Ancelotti," tuturnya seperti dikutip dari Channel4.

Saat dikatakan pada bos besar Silvio Berlusconi pun tidak puas dengan penampilannya yang terbatas, Ronaldinho menjawab simpel: "Ya, sama-sama toh?"

Mengenai alasannya masih ingin bertahan di Milan, pemain yang dibeli dari Barcelona itu mengatakan dirinya langsung suka dengan tifosi Rossoneri, serta menyimpan ambisi untuk mempersembahkan titel Scudetto, yang belum pernah lagi diraih Milan sejak 2004.

"Saya merasa enak di sini, dengan tim ini, para petinggi, dan fans. Tidak terlintas di benakku untuk menanggalkan kostum ini."

"Saya berharap menjadi juara Italia bersama Milan dan saya menyesal kami tidak bisa merengkuhnya musim ini. Tapi saya berjanji, tahun depan kami akan memenangi Seri A dan Liga Champions," tandas Dinho