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

MIlan 1 catania 1, borriello double save milan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cagliari 2 Milan 3 , bravo boriello, bravo huntelaar....

CAGLIARI: Marchetti; Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Lazzari; Cossu; Matri, Ragatzu.
MILAN: Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Huntelaar, Borriello, Ronaldinho.

Milan need just one half to take home the win against Cagliari: the Rossoneri win 3-2 and obtain the three points in a Saturday in which also Inter and Roma win. Everything happens in the first half: Borriello opens the score, Ragatzu equalizes, then Huntelaar puts Milan back in the lead before Matri equalizes once again. However, a defensive mistake of Cagliari leads to Astori’s own goal which is worth the 3-2. In the second half, a more covered Milan side and a more dangerous Cagliari team, but on the Rossoblu’s road there’s a great Dida. Here’s the match: Milan on the pitch to find back the win, following the defeat of Parma and the draw against Lazio. At the Sant’Elia Leonardo presents an attacking side, trident with Seedorf: with 11 players out (injuries and Flamini suspended), the coach welcomes back Pirlo and Ronaldinho. In defence the central duo is made up of Favalli and Thiago Silva again, on the wings Abate and Antonini. Apart from Pirlo, in midfeld space for the recovered Ambrosini and Seedorf, behind the trident with the Brazilian, Huntelaar on the right and Borriello in the middle. Allegri recovers more or less everyone, apart from Parola and Nene, suspended. In attack the coach prefers Ragatzu to Larrivey. With him Matri, who had an excellent season, and it is this player who is dangerous at the start of the game. However, Milan changes gear and finds the goal with Marco Borriello in the 7th minute: triangle with Seedorf and ball past Marchetti. Cagliari’s counter attacks are productive, as in the 16th Ragatzu finds the ball in front of the Milan goalkeeper. Conti opens up the visual for goal, Antonini keeps him in play and scores the equalizer. Not even a minute passes by and Leonardo’s team re-takes the lead: Huntelaar finds a spectacular goal with a left footer from the distance which is unstoppable for Marchetti. The Rossoblu are once again good to finish their move. In the 32nd minute Milan loses ball in midfield, the home team counter attacks, Cossu sends the ball forward for Matri who beats Dida: 2-2. Caglari is very good in attack, but also careless in defence. In the 37th minute a mixup in defence between Astori and Marchetti which leads to the defenders own goal for the 3-2. In the second half the game remains nice, but less lively in attacking zones. Milan is more solid following the substitution of Zambrotta for Huntelaar, but Borriello is too alone upfront and the Rossoneri push less. The best Rossoneri’s chance is represented by a Ronaldinho freekick. It ends 3-2: the Rossoneri remain in the run.

Milan 3 Atalanta 1,PATO PATO BORRIELLO

Milan: Abbiati; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini (Gattuso 66); Pato (Abate 80), Borriello (Huntelaar 74), Ronaldinho

Atalanta: Consigli; Garics, Bianco, Manfredini, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto (Ceravolo 42), De Ascentis (Volpi 67), Padoin, Valdes; Doni; Tiribocchi (Chevanton 76

An injury to Pato took the gloss off AC Milan's 3-1 victory over Atalanta with the Brazilian striker now facing an anxious race against time to be fit for the Champions League return leg against Manchester United.

Pato scores the first of his two goals but a thigh injury took the gloss off Milan's win over Atalanta

The forward produced a neat turn and finish on the half hour before converting Ronaldinho's pass 11 minutes later. Jaime Valdes netted for the visitors after the interval but Marco Borriello was quick to restore Milan's two-goal advantage after Ronaldinho's penalty was saved.

"We will have to wait 24 to 48 hours before knowing the extent of the injury,'' said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani after the game. Milan must overturn a 3-2 deficit if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"Not to have Pato would be terrible,'' said Galliani. "We don't have anyone who can replace him. Without him, we would need to change our tactical set-up.''

Seri A january 6 2010: Milan 5 Genoa 2 , Bekcham is back

David Beckham's second debut for AC Milan was an occasion to savour as the England international started in a 5-2 victory over Genoa on Wednesday night.

MILAN: Dida; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Ambrosini, Gattuso; Pirlo; Beckham, Borriello, Ronaldinho.
GENOA: Amelia; Moretti, Biava, Criscito; Rossi, Milanetto, Juric, Mesto; Palacio, Suazo, Sculli.

Having returned to the Rossoneri on a second loan spell from LA Galaxy, Beckham played in an advanced role as Leonardo's men responded to earlier victories for title rivals Inter Milan and Juventus to remain in the hunt for the Scudetto.

With Inter beating Chievo 1-0 and Juventus securing a 2-1 win over Parma in the first round of Serie A games in 2010, the onus was on Milan to respond, and they did so in style. The Rossoneri therefore remain eight points behind city rivals Inter with a game in hand.

However, Wednesday night's game at San Siro started in inauspicious circumstances as Ronaldinho saw his penalty saved by Marco Amelia after captain Massimo Ambrosini won a dubious spot-kick. Giuseppe Sculli deepened Milan's disappointment when heading Genoa into the lead on 25 minutes.

Ronaldinho made amends on 32 minutes when scoring from 12 yards after Ambrosini had been brought down in the box once more. That was the catalyst for Milan to race away with the game and after Thiago Silva tapped in from close range following a goalmouth scramble, Marco Borriello scored twice, the second a wonderful overhead kick.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came off the bench to score his third Serie A goal of the season after Milan were awarded a third penalty of the evening but David Suazo, on loan from Inter Milan, wrapped up the scoring when drilling a fine shot past Dida on 79 minutes to give Genoa a late consolation.

HERE IS THE VIDEO AC MILAN VS GENOA 6 JANUARY 2010



Earlier in the day, Serie A leaders Inter Milan picked up where they left off with a narrow 1-0 victory over Chievo in the first match after the winter break.

Balotelli struck in the 12th minute to settle the contest in favour of the Serie A leaders, whose defender Chivu suffered a fractured skull in a clash of heads with Chievo captain Sergio Pellissier in the opening moments of the second half and was taken to hospital.

Goran Pandev also impressed when making his debut following a move from Lazio. The striker headed the ball into the corner of the net but replays confirmed the ball had already crossed the line and it was Balotelli's goal.

The victory moved Inter nine points clear of Juventus, who won 2-1 at Parma. A 39th-minute own goal from Paolo Castellini helped ten-man Juve claim just their second win in seven games at Stadio Ennio Tardini. The defender headed into his own goal after the hosts had failed to clear a corner

Hasan Salihamidzic had headed Juve into an early lead before veteran forward Nicola Amoruso grabbed an equaliser for Parma, but they were unable to find another even after Martin Caceres was sent off in the 73rd minute and slipped to sixth.

Cagliari scored in the 90th minute and again in stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw and deny Roma the chance of moving up to third. A David Pizarro penalty and a Simone Perrotta effort had put the Giallorossi on course for all three points in the second half, but, not long after Luca Toni came on to make his Roma debut, Diego Lopez pulled one back for the Sardinians and Daniele Conti then equalised.

Napoli continued their push for European football next season by moving up to fourth with a 2-0 victory at Atalanta. Fabio Quagliarella set the Partenopei on their way with the opening goal after seven minutes and Michele Pazienza made the points safe 13 minutes into the second half, as Atalanta dropped to 19th.

Fiorentina won the Tuscan derby in style with a 5-1 hammering of basement boys Siena. Per Kroldrup, Mario Alberto Santana and Alberto Gilardino put the visitors in the driving seat in the first half before the returning Adrian Mutu and a second for Gilardino completed the rout. Massimo Maccarone's late penalty was barely any consolation for Siena.

Bari won 2-0 at home to Udinese thanks to a goal in each half from Riccardo Meggiorini and Vitor Barreto. Simone Pepe came closest to levelling for the visitors when he hit the crossbar just before the break.

Sergio Floccari made a huge splash on his Lazio debut by scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Livorno. Martin Bergvold put Livorno in front in the seventh minute before Floccari, signed on a six-month loan deal from Genoa this week, stole the show.

The 28-year-old levelled shortly after the re-start and put his new team ahead in the 54th minute. Substitute Tommaso Rocchi and Aleksandar Kolarov with a penalty added further goals to make it a convincing win for Lazio. Livorno had Romano Perticone sent off in the 90th minute.

Sampdoria came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw at home to Palermo. The Blucerchiati had won just once in their last eight fixtures coming into this game and found themselves trailing to Edison Cavani's strike five minutes before the interval. Palermo's lead was short-lived, though, with Antonio Cassano providing the perfect response a minute later.

Sinisa Mihajlovic saw his Catania side move up to third from bottom with a 1-0 victory over former club Bologna, Nicolas Spolli with the only goal of the game nine minutes from time.

Serie A 6 january 2010- Milan vs Genoa, David Beckham back to San siro

David Beckham has completed his loan move to AC Milan and said he was almost moved to tears when they were drawn against Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round.

United reunion
Just as last year, the LA Galaxy midfielder has agreed to join Milan for the second half of the Italian season, and has now officially completed his move following a medical. The Rossoneri will take on United on 16 February and 10 March, the second leg at Old Trafford – Beckham's home until his 2003 switch to Real Madrid CF – and England's most-capped outfield player was taken aback when the teams were paired on 18 December.

'Special place'
"I almost started to cry after the draw," the 34-year-old said. "Old Trafford is a special place for me and I haven't played there for almost seven years. I have many friends in Manchester and I have a special relationship with the fans there, it will be a great night for me. However we have to take it extremely seriously and try to win."

New faces
Since Beckham left Milan in the summer, Leonardo has succeeded Carlo Ancelotti as coach and there have been playing changes too. However, Beckham said: "Carlo Ancelotti, Paolo Maldini and Kaká are not here any more but Milan is like United, things don't change so drastically from one year to another. The atmosphere in the locker room is always great, after a difficult start things are going well now and I'm sure I will have a good time here."

Ready to adapt
Milan's fortunes have been on the up since Leonardo switched to a 4-3-3 formation with only one holding midfielder, but Beckham expects to settle in quickly. "The playing system is different compared to last season but I'm sure I can adapt," he said. "I'm just glad to be back and it won't be a problem not to be in the starting XI . Playing here doesn't give me the security of a place in the national team either. I'm here only to win the Scudetto, and I believe we can do it if we work hard."


With all the trophies won by the most winning club in the world behind him, David Beckham talked about his passion for the Rossoneri to the journalists who came for his presentation press conference:

Welcome back David! Did you miss Milan in these months?
"I've missed it a lot! I missed the group, the club, the fans, the environment in general. My first six months here were wonderful, a unique experience which I haven't forgotten."

Since you left a lot has changed. Carlo Ancelotti, Ricky Kaká and Paolo Maldini have gone, what group have you found back?
"It's true that Milan have changed a lot, it's true, but the basis of great clubs like Milan and like Manchester United doesn't change. Milan remain Milan. It's true that an important guide like Paolo Maldini is no longer here, he was a charismatic captain with a lot of personality, the best footballer of the world is missing in Ricky Kaká and also the coach has changed, but the group remains a great group, motivated and full of enthusiasm. At the start of the season the team had some problems, but it has recovered and now it's playing very well. I'm proud to play with these great champions."

You named Manchester. What effect did it have knowing you would meet them in the Champions League?
"It will be a special evening! The day of the draw I cried of emotion, I'll have the chance of returning to Manchester and play against the club I always wanted to play with since childhood. I'll find many friends, all my fans who haven't forgotten me, it will be an evening of strong emotions. It's been seven years since I've been to Manchester and I will do so with Milan's shirt, with the shirt of a club as prestigious as United, all this fills me with pride!"

After these six months what will your future be?
"I don't know, we'll see. I'm very honored to be here again. I come here knowing I will stay at least six months, the first time we weren't so sure for many reasons. I only think about working hard and do well in a special club. Then we will see if Milan will still be in my future."

Have you thought about what position you might play in this new system of Leonardo?
"The system has changed, it's different. This is nevertheless a team full of talent, experience, it will take some time to understand this new system but not that much. In any case I don't pretend to be a first choice player. If I'm a reserve I'll still be proud to be a part of this group. I don't think about my position, I'd be truly happy to play in any role, also as a goalkeeper! I'm a versatile midfielder and this will help me in any position."

Have you talked to Leonardo?
"Yes, I've talked to him. He asked about my physical conditions, of how I reacted to the work of the past few days, we'll have time to talk about the system and my position on the pitch. As I said this is a great team which I think can win the Scudetto. There are dangerous rivals like Inter and Juventus, but if Milan work hard they can aim for the title."

Did you never think about going to a team that would guarantee you a place in the team?
"No, never! Milan were always my first choice, from the first moment we talked about a loan from Galaxy to another team. The possibility of playing at the World Cup is certainly an objective, but I didn't come to this club to go to the World Cup. I chose Milan for many reasons, because I like this club's philosophy and I arrived here without any pretenses. It's great to be here, even just to help the group win, even without being guaranteed a place in the team, this is Milan!"

Do you think you are ready to face Genoa already?
"It would certainly be nice, but as I've said I don't know if I'll be a first choice. I have to work on my athletic condition even though I'm already doing well. I am making myself available. Leonardo will know how and when to use me and I'm fine with that. I've already scored against Genoa and I'd like to repeat myself, I remember that goal with a lot of emotion. My job is to be useful to this team, even if only for five minutes."

What do you hope for the new year?
"My first hope is to win the Scudetto. Then I hope for health and serenity with my whole family, with whom I will celebrate New Year's in London."

Did you hear Fabio Capello's nice words for you?
"They pleased me very much! Even though I know I have no guarantee of a place at the World Cup I thank him. I'll do what I can to work hard, to help Milan win, then we'll see."

Milan against Manchester. Will you be happy regardless of the result?
"We want to go through in the cup! It will be a great emotion to face Manchester, but I'll do it with Milan's shirt, with the desire to win and go through."

Have you never worried about what your team mates might think about the fact you are coming here for just six months?
"I asked myself that only the first time. I met an exceptional group and I immediately understood that at Milan there is no jealousy. Everyone welcomed me well, they did all they could to make me feel at home. At Milan there is a common objective, which is to win, all the players do what they can to help each other, to make this team win!"

The year that has just passed was a positive one only towards the end for Marco Borriello. And now that 2010 arrived, the attacker is asking to feel fine and to be a protagonist. He has clear ideas which, exclusively for Milan Channel, revealed. These are his declarations: “First of all my wishes for a good year to everyone. 2009 started out badly for me and finished with some good performances, together with which arrived my first goals. As a team we have reached important objectives: we have passed the round of the Champions League and we have reached the second place in the league. I would say a good final part of the year from which to restart. “My nicest goal and best performance of 2009? The nicest goal I think it was the second goal at home against Parma: for an attacker to score an scissor kick in front of his own fans at San Siro is a dream. The match which I feel most mine was that against Cagliari, because we took home the win and I obtained a penalty, made an assist and scored a goal. It was a complete game. For the rest, I think that I played too little due to injuries, practically just two months, about 10 games. I hope that in this 2010 I play 5-6 months in a row and prove my worth. We start off from Genoa. From my experience with the Rossoblu I have very beautiful memories in my heart. The Genoa one was the most important season of my career. Surely I will meet a bit of emotion, but now two years have gone by. Now I defend the Rossoneri colours and I hope to bring home a win for my team. “The difference between our trident and the one of Gasperini? From an individual level in attack, without taking anything away from Genoa, we have players on the wings with an incredible talent. Maybe they have the team-play more than us: as a group they are more oiled because they play together and with the same coach for a long time. We are learning to move also from the team level and you will soon see a solid and aggressive side who knows how to defend and attack. “When you play with incredible talents, like Pato and Ronaldinho, you must follow their minds and their talent, you must also put in the intuition. In these games the things with them went very well For me to play with such champions is a great honour and I hope to play for a long time with them. I thank Seedorf and Ronaldinho for the nice words which they used towards and I thank them for highlighting my work. They also spoke about the national team: I dream of playing with the Azzurri’s shirt, but I don’t want to get my hopes too high. I think about giving my best until May. If then I obtain something, it will be all gained. If instead it will not be like this, I will go on holiday and I will side with Italy. “As objectives I want to win something important from the squad level. From the personal level I want to be protagonist in the win. I was part in the past of important wins in the Champions League or in the league, but even though I was in the group, I never felt that those wins were mine. I hope that this year I obtain some success and to be a protagonist.”

Milan vs Marseille, 1-1

The match between Milan and Marseille finished 1-1. The Rossoneri couldn't take advantage of the many chances in the second half, but they were also lucky as the French side hit the woodwork twice. The goals were scored by Borriello (10') and Lucho Gonzales (16').
MILAN: Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Ronaldinho, Borriello, Pato.
OLYMPIQUE MARSIGLIA: Mandanda; Bonnart, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; Cissè, Cheyrou; Abriel, Lucho Gonzalez, Niang; Brandao.

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.

Milan 2 - Parma 0

At San Siro it finished Milan-Parma 2-0, in the second anticipated match of the 11th matchday of Serie A. The goals were both scored by Marco Borriello, in the 12th and 93rd minutes.

MILAN: Dida; Oddo, Thiago Silva, Kaladze, Antonini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Ronaldinho, Pato, Borriello.
PARMA: Mirante; Dellafiore, Panucci, Lucarelli; Zaccardo, Lunardini; Morrone, Dzemaili, Galloppa; Bojinov, Paloschi.

Marco Borriello netted both goals as AC Milan moved up to fourth in Serie A with victory over Parma at the San Siro tonight.

Borriello was the Rossoneri's hero in a lacklustre clash between two sides who showed more tiredness than lucidity in their third game in six days.

Borriello opened the scoring in the 12th minute and added the winner in stoppage time to give Milan the best possible result in preparation for the visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Milan perhaps had an eye on that clash but that did not tempt coach Leonardo into making any unnecessary changes to his team.

The in-form Ronaldinho kept his place in attack, where Borriello replaced Filippo Inzaghi with Luca Antonini in for the suspended Ignazio Abate.

Parma lined up with Paloschi, who is half-owned by Milan, leading their attack alongside Valeri Bojinov.

And Paloschi had the first chance of the game in the 10th minute with a fine dipping shot from 25 yards that needed a fingertip save from Dida to divert onto the crossbar.

Milan went ahead from their first attack of the game two minutes later, with Ronaldinho given the freedom to cover 50 yards before threading the ball, via a deflection, into the path of Borriello, who placed his shot between the legs of Antonio Mirante.

Parma still looked dangerous, with Bojinov forcing a fine save out of Dida to keep the Rossoneri ahead in the 23rd minute.

Pato should have doubled Milan's lead after half an hour but he lacked the conviction to reach Massimo Oddo's cross from eight yards out and his tame header went wide of the far post.

Daniele Galloppa should have done better at the other end when he was found himself free in the penalty area but his shot was weak and straight at Dida.

It seemed like nobody was really determined to score as Borriello allowed the next chance to go begging when he just stood pondering his options rather than shooting with only Mirante to beat after he was found by Ronaldinho.

Milan should have had a penalty in the 69th minute when Pato slipped the ball between two Parma defenders and was tripped by Francesco Lunardini as he tried to follow the ball through but the referee waved play on.

That decision almost proved costly for Milan, who saw Paloschi break through at the other end and volley just wide.

But Parma simply did not have the ideas or the strength to make a game of it in a tedious second half in which Milan looked to conserve energy for their midweek Champions League game and Parma showed they are not used to having to play three games in a week.

Thiago Silva almost wrapped up the win three minutes from time when he headed against the crossbar from point-blank range.

Borriello did seal the win in stoppage time with a scissor-kick goal from another Ronaldinho assist.

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