Champions League Preview : Milan vs Auxerre

UEFA Champions League 2010/11 Fixtures/Results

AC Milan v AJ Auxerre Group G Giuseppe Meazza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Official : Robinho to Milan

Adriano Galliani's words quoted by Sky:
'The acquisition of Robinho cost us € 18 million plus bonuses. He's a wonderful gift from president Berlusconi to the Milan fans.'
Official:
- Robinho 100% ours
- Borriello loan to AS Roma
- Hunter sold to Schalke04
- Kaladze sold to Genoa

As for the shirt numbers of the two new Rossoneri stars, Zlatan Ibrahimovic took number 11, while Robinho will wear number 70 this season.
Welcome Robinho. I hope this is just the beginning for a new era of Milan! Forza Milan! Good luck with Hunter and Borri, and many thanks for 10 years contribution of Kakha Kaladza.
Robinho cost City £32 million when signing for the club in a shock move from Real Madrid in 2008 but now they have recouped an initial payment of £15 million from Milan.

"Milan have a great players, a great team with a victorious history," Robinho said. "I hope that together with my new team-mates we will be able to help the club to several titles.

"I always heard great things about Milan from Kaka, and I'm sure that the other Brazilian players will help me integrate into the team. I hope to satisfy all Milan fans, I'll train hard to make it happen. I want to make them all happy."

Robinho, who spent a spell on loan with Santos last season, leaves City after scoring 14 goals in 41 Premier League appearances.

Robinho joins Milan just days after the club recruited Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona. They join Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho at San Siro to form a very talented forward line.

"These two signings were a great present to all the supporters from Silvio Berlusconi," vice-president Adriano Galliani said.

"Robinho will wear the No. 70 shirt, Ibrahimovic will have the No. 11. Robinho cost €18 million plus bonuses.

"For so many years I have not seen Berlusconi so in love with Milan. On Sunday Ibrahimovic told me to go and buy Robinho also."

"After a raft of stellar names arrived at the San Siro, AC Milan have confirmed that Italian striker Marco Borriello will play on loan at Roma this season and that Kakha Kaladze has ended his nine years with the club.

The arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the signing of Brazilian winger Robinho to AC Milan, forced Borriello to consider a move elsewhere.

A statement from AC Milan read: "AC Milan announces it has loaned Marco Borriello to Roma for the 2010-11 campaign."

The 28-year-old came close to signing for Juventus but the deal fell through earlier with Borriello unwilling to join the Turin giants on a loan spell. However, Borriello has joined Roma on loan with the Eternal City club having an option to make the deal permanent next summer.

Meanwhile, Genoa have signed Kakha Kaladze on a permanent transfer from AC Milan. The 32-year-old Georgia captain joins Genoa after nine seasons with Milan, and has signed a two-year contract with Genoa.

A statement from Genoa read: "Genoa announces the signing of Georgian international Kakhaber Kaladze on a permanent transfer from AC Milan. In the next few days the defender will join Giampiero Gasperini's side in training."

Milan 4 Lecce 0

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Serie A Preview : AC milan vs Lecce

Stadio San Siro will be full for the presentation of new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic this evening, and afterwards, Milan will play the first match of the Serie A against newly promoted side U.S. Lecce.

Massimo Oddo and Mathieu Flamini are out injured, while Marek Jankulovski, Kakha Kaladze, Oguchi Onyewu, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mario Yepes and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have not been called-up.

In the meantime, new coach Massimiliano Allegri will have all of his players available to face Lecce, with Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato set to start having recovered from a muscular injury.

"I am not 100% but I feel better,'' said Pato. "I believe I will be ready for our first game of the season.

"My aim is always to help the team do well and contribute so that Milan wins everything.''

Rivals Lecce make their anticipated return to Serie A tomorrow but will have to do without injured striker Ernesto Chevanton.

Chevanton, who is returning to the club for a second spell after six years away, was the biggest name in a summer of busy recruitment in Lecce.

Chevanton is recuperating from a muscular problem while Lecce coach Luigi De Canio will also be without suspended midfielder Riccardo Oliveira.


AC Milan Squad List

Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati, Marco Amelia, Flavio Roma;

Defenders: Luca Antonini, Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva;

Midfielders: Ignazio Abate, Massimo Ambrosini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Rodney Strasser;

Forwards: Marco Borriello, Filippo Inzaghi, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho.
U.S Lecce Squad List

Goalkeepers: Giulio Donati, Alberto Giuliatto, Antonio Rosati, Massimiliano Benassi;

Defenders: Simone Sini, Tore Reginiussen, Stefano Ferrario,

Midfielders: Gianni Munari, Djamel Mesbah, Guillermo Giacomazzi, Ignacio Piatti, Giuseppe Vives, Carlos Grossmüller, Davide Brivio

Forwards: Daniele Corvia, Bryan Bergougnoux, Javier Chevantón, Andrea Bertolacci.

Zlatan "Ibra" ibrahimovic is a milan player !!!!

FINALLY! HE'S OURS!

AC Milan have signed FC Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

After long days of negotiations, AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has made it and he brought the 28-year-old Sweden to Milan!


Zlatan Ibrahimovic Bio
Viewed as one of the world's top strikers, as well as being one of the most temperamental, Ibrahimovic made a name for himself at Inter Milan and won himself numerous personal awards at the San Siro. Known for his strength, aerial ability and fiery personality, Ibrahimovic has been compared to Dutch legend Marco Van Basten for his playing style, before he started a new chapter his career with Barcelona.

Born to a Bosnian father and a Croatian mother, Ibrahimovic grew up in Sweden and plays for the Swedish national team. He began his career at nearby Malmo FF, before moving to Ajax where he blossomed, but courted controversy in his three years, before he was sold to Juventus.

Caught up in the Calciopoli scandal, Ibrahimovic was relegated to Serie B, but was not keen to stay on in Turin. Moving to Internazionale for £16.7 million, he became a fixture in their three title-winning side and then-boss Jose Mourinho claimed that he was, for him, "the best player in the world, ahead of (Cristiano) Ronaldo" - although the quote raised some eyebrows.

In 2009, he announced that he would like to seek a new challenge and agreed terms on an incredible swap deal with Samuel Eto'o that would see him become a Barcelona player for 2009-10, signing a five-year deal.

Strengths: Strong and agile, he plays well with his back to goal and boasts some of the best ball control around.

Weaknesses: Drifts in and out of games, has questionable temperament and has been criticised for his work-rate in the big matches.

Career high: Top scored in Serie A in 2009 as he led Inter to the title.

Career low: Missed a penalty as Sweden were knocked out of Euro 2004 following a shoot-out loss to Netherlands.

Style: Languid, stylish, a composed and agile striker.

Quotes: "What [John] Carew does with a football, I can do with an orange." Zlatan Ibrahimovic responds to criticism from the Norwegian striker.

Trivia: Ibrahimovic received a black belt in taekwondo at the age of 17.

The transfer saga :
21:45: More from Galliani: “With Ibra, Pato and Ronaldinho, our team is not inferior to no one in Europe.”

21:36: Ibra: “I’m glad the situation. It was not easy, but it all worked out for the best. Why AC Milan? Because it is one of the strongest clubs in the world, with a great tradition. Ronaldinho and Pato? It’s a great attack, depend on us. Fans of AC Milan will enjoy. Supporters of Inter? I do not what they think now that I have won everything there. Dreams? I want ton win the Champions League and all that we can win.

21:31: acmilan.com confirmed Galliani’s words: “A.C. MILAN announces the acquisition of the player Zlatan Ibrahimovic from F.C. Barcelona, through a free loan with the option to purchase the athlete’s playing rights for € 24 million at the end of the season 2010-2011. The Swedish champion will go through the medical exams tomorrow morning, before signing the contract that will tie him to the Rossonero club for four years.”

21:25: Galliani revealed to Sky Sport 24 the nature of the transfer: “We defined acquisition loan with right of repurchase for 24 million. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will undergo medical tomorrow and will sign a four-year contract.”

21:15: Speaking to Milan Channel, Milan new striker, Ibrahimovic said: “Barcelona are fixing the last things, and then there will be the announcement. I am very pleased, I can’t wait for tomorrow. “

20:42: Silvio Berlusconi has left Milanello, and the official announcement will come soon from the mouth of Vice President Galliani directly from Spain. 20:38: Raiola, Ibrahimovic, Galliani and Rosell left the office of the Barcelona President. Meanwhile, Berlusconi is talking to the players in Milanello.

20:30: Here is the program for tomorrow: Ibrahimovic will arrive tomorrow at Milan’s Linate Airport around 12:30pm. The player will then speak to Coach Allegri and understand what the project of the team is.

At 19:45, there will be a press conference at the San Siro, followed by a walk around the pitch before the Lecce match.

20:20: Ibrahimovic is an AC Milan player! There is still no official announcement but the player is now a Rossonero. 20:02: Ibra has signed a four-year contract with AC Milan! The official announcement will come in few minutes!

19:56: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has arrived to the Camp Nou to sign the termination of his contract with Barcelona and his new deal with AC Milan. However, before entering he joked with the press: “I’m here to sign a contract renewal with Barcelona, Guardiola asked me to.” 19:35: Mr. Silvio Berlusconi has arrived to training center Milanello and he will probably announce on the purchase by himself.

19:16: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has not been called-up for tomorrow’s match against Lecce and it appears that he will now move to German side Schalke 04 for 12 million.

19:00: The official announcement will come in 30 minutes on both club’s site. The deal is a loan with an obligation to buy for 25 million. "

18:55: In few minutes, the official announcement should come according to reports. Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on verge of becoming a Rossonero.

18:17: The meeting between Galliani, Rosell and Raiola has started two hours ago. More news are expected soon.

17:05: More from Raiola: “The press? I do not understand why they are resentful. Barça is free to think what you want, I express my views. My only duty is to represent my player. The negotiations for Zlatan? We will see, for the time nothing is decided.”

16:30: Adriano Galliani and Mino Raiola have reached the Camp Nou. Raiola: “We are still in the eighth month. We still lack all the agreements. Ends today? The important thing is to make it closed by August 31.

16:23: Allegri spoke about Ibra during the press conference ahead of Lecce game: “If president Berlusconi will acquire Ibrahimovic we will be all very happy because he is important player, he is a champion who goes to complete a very strong attack.” 16:20: Negotiations are expected to be long; Barcelona want to discus first with Ibra’s agent Raiola.

15:50: Rosell has arrived to Barcelona’s headquarters at the Camp Nou. The meeting should begin shortly.

15:40: The meeting is about to start, there are few journalists in the Camp Nou already waiting for Galliani, Raiola and Rosell. Sky Sport’s Alessandro Alciato reports Galliani will use a credit card to pay Barcelona 30 million.

15:48: Barcelona President Sandro Rosell has returned from Ibiza, where he spent the weekend, in order to take part in the decisive meeting on Ibra along with Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani and the player’s agent Mino Raiola.

14:15: According to the Spanish news agency EFE, the meeting between Adriano Galliani and Mino Raiola has been brought forward in half an hour. It will start on

16:00 Spain time. The reason for this change is to close the deal in daytime. 13:20: Still waiting for the decisive meeting between Raiola and Galliani. Meanwhile, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will hold a press conference ahead of Lecce game, which takes place tomorrow night.

12:44: As reported in the Spanish daily El Mundo Deporativo, Milan tried to offer players in exchange for Ibrahimovic, but the only man Barca were interested in was Alexandre Pato. Adriano Galliani of course, did not accept that.

12:05: Pep Guardiola: “I am tired of the Ibrahimovic situation, we will see what happens in the coming hours. I am not happy with the way this situation has been managed. For now Ibrahimovic is a Barcelona player. We will see what happens. “I am the boss here, and I decided not to pick him [for Sunday's clash against Racing Santander]. In a normal situation he would have been picked. But in this situation, it was best not to select him. “In any case I am staying calm and will make team decisions. Raiola? I am surprised that he knows me so well. I have ever only spoken to him once in my life. I thank the club for defending me after they published the statement. That has not affected me as I can defend myself. I said okay to the statement and now it’s with the legal team.”

11:22: According to rumours, the compensations the Sweden will receive from the Spanish club could be an addition discount on the amount Milan will have to pay Sandro Rosell’s club. If it’s true, Milan will have to pay 25m at the end of the season in order to bring the 28-year-old permanently.

11:01: Barca coach Pep Guardiola has dropped Ibra from the squad for Sunday’s clash against Racing Santander. These are the players Pep has called-up: Valdés, Pinto, Abidal, Alves, Milito, Piqué, Puyol, Maxwell, Adriano, Sergio Busquets, Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Jeffren, Bojan, Messi, Pedro, Villa.

10:56: Barcelona seem reluctant to pay the player’s compensations. It appears that Raiola will now try to lower his demands from yesterday. At the moment, we are waiting for the final meeting between Galliani and agent Raiola at 16:30.

10:13: Milan CEO Adriano Galliani and Ibra’s agent Mino Raiola had a dinner last night; they looked calm and ready to for the birth of the transfer. 10:08: As reported last night, AC Milan and FC Barcelona have agreed on the loan of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Spain to Italy. The Rossoneri will be obligated to sign the player at the end of the season for 25/30 million.

Gamper Trophy : Ac Milan 1 Barcelona 1 ( pen. 2-4)

Milan played out an exciting Gamper Trophy game against Barcelona in what was their last test before facing Lecce on Sunday on the opening day of the season.

It was a special evening for Ronaldinho, who was greeted by a standing ovation before kick-off. Allegri played the Brazilian upfront with Borriello and Huntelaar while Boateng was given his debut in midfield alongside Pirlo and Ambrosini. Alessandro Nesta returned in defence after his hand surgery.

Guardiola fielded a trident with Iniesta, Villa and Ibrahimovic.

The home side started well and Ibrahimovic had a goal disallowed for offside while just before the half-hour mark Iniesta saw a shot well saved by Amelia and at the other end Ambrosini volleyed wide.

Allegri made a raft of changes at half-time but it was Barca who took the lead two minutes after the restart, when David Silva toe-poked the ball beyond Amelia after reaching Adriano’s cross from the left.

Andres Iniesta and Bojan’s header then went close but the Rossoneri got their just reward as Pippo Inzaghi hit a stunning left-footed volley into the top corner on 67 minutes.

Leo Messi tested substitute goalkeeper Flavio Roma with a header and a curling free-kick but Milan were the equal of any further pressure and game finished 1-1 which lead to penalties to decide the outcome.

The first from the spot was Leo Messi who put Roma the wrong way. However, Clarence Seedorf saw his shot saved. Same fate for Busquets, well blocked by the excellent Roma. The second penalty taker for Milan, Pirlo, missed. Bojan scored, despite the Milan goalkeeper guessing right. Yepes got the Rossoneri off the mark. Barca's Thiag scored but Jankulovski: missed and Barcelona won 4-2.

MILAN - Barcellona-Milan 4-2, penalties. Statistics:
Barcellona: Pinto, Adriano, Milito (18'sh Fontas), Puyol (18'sh Pique), Abidal (1'sh Dani Alves); Maxwell (1'sh Thiago), Jeffren (18'sh Pedro), Jonathan (18'sh Busquets); Iniesta (18'sh Keita), Ibrahimovic (1'sh Bojan), Villa (18'sh Messi).
Coach: Guardiola.
Milan: Amelia (15'sh Roma); Bonera (1'sh Abate), Nesta (1'sh Papastathopoulos), Thiago Silva (15'sh Yepes), Antonini (1'sh Jankulovski); Ambrosini (1'sh Seedorf), Pirlo, Boateng (37'sh Strasser); Huntelaar (10'sh Oduamadi), Borriello (10'sh Inzaghi), Ronaldinho (31'sh Merkel).
Coach: Allegri.
Goalscorers: 47' Villa (B), 67' Inzaghi (M)
Referee: Borbalan (Spa)
Penalties:
Messi goal; Busquets saved; Bojan goal; Thiago goal;
Seedorf saved; Pirlo saved; Yepes goal; Jankulovski saved.

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