Saturday, January 31, 2009
Pirlo: Milan Must, And Will, Defeat Lazio
Milan were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at the San Siro by Genoa just days ago, due to a late strike by Diego Milito that cancelled out David Beckham’s stunning first-half free kick.
The draw meant that the Rossoneri did not take full advantage of Juventus’ 2-1 slip up away to Udinese, and it also resulted in them falling even further behind their cross-town rivals and the current league leaders, Inter.
Consequently, the outcome of their match at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio this weekend could prove absolutely crucial to their title ambitions, something that Andrea Pirlo stressed in a recent interview.
“Lazio are struggling at present, and so we must take advantage of this and build on our performances in recent times,” Pirlo told the Milan Channel.
“We are going to win against Lazio, because it’s what we need to do,” he added.
“If we are to draw like the other night, then we will lose more points, and that is not what we want, as we could drop further down the standings.
“The season is very long, and there is still time, however we must make our move now.”
With Inter and Juventus facing relatively straightforward home matches against Torino and Cagliari respectively, the Rossoneri must ensure that they claim all three points in the Italian capital this weekend.
Paolo Maldini Is The ‘Most Loved Player In Serie A’
La Gazzetta dello Sport asked 100 top flight players to name the man who most inspired them to pursue a career in football.
Milan skipper Paolo Maldini got the majority of the votes in front of former Napoli hero Diego Maradona and ex-Juventus and Italy ace Roberto Baggio.
Maldini has become a cult figure in the peninsula after playing over 600 games with the Diavoli in an outstanding career which is expected to come to an end this year.
The legendary left-back’s trophy cabinet boasts almost every major piece of silverware in world football, but he painfully missed out on World Cup glory and retired from international football after the doomed adventure at the 2002 event in Japan and South Korea.
That is why Goal.com is currently leading a campaign to persuade Italy boss Marcello Lippi to hand him a swansong on the international stage when Italy and Brazil will square off at the Emirates Stadium on February 10.
Milan Striker Marco Borriello Out For Two Months - Report
Milan striker Marco Borriello's injury curse shows no sign of fading, as he could be ruled out for two months. His muscular problem, it seems, has returned to plague him.
The Italian underwent another examination with the club's doctor and the results show that the flexor muscle in his right leg is still some way from being healed, leading to speculation that he will be out of action until April at the earliest.
Milan have yet to give further news on the injury and it is believed that Carlo Ancelotti is not happy with losing another player. Reports suggest that Borriello is unlikely to be included in the UEFA Cup list, which could be detrimental to the Rossoneri's chances of success in Europe this season. Overall, there will be a shortage of strikers at San Siro.
Borriello has been plagued by injury all season. He ruled out of most of the club's pre-season schedule after needing an operation to his meniscus. He returned for the club to face Lecce, but he fell victim to another injury during that encounter.
This latest blow is likely to keep him out for longer than expected. The striker could be back in April, but it may be too little, too late for the Milan giants.
Meanwhile, Milan clash with Lazio on Sunday night in the Stadio Olimpico. Alexandre Pato is likely to start up front. There may also be a starting role for Ronaldinho, as David Beckham is doubtful.
The Italian underwent another examination with the club's doctor and the results show that the flexor muscle in his right leg is still some way from being healed, leading to speculation that he will be out of action until April at the earliest.
Milan have yet to give further news on the injury and it is believed that Carlo Ancelotti is not happy with losing another player. Reports suggest that Borriello is unlikely to be included in the UEFA Cup list, which could be detrimental to the Rossoneri's chances of success in Europe this season. Overall, there will be a shortage of strikers at San Siro.
Borriello has been plagued by injury all season. He ruled out of most of the club's pre-season schedule after needing an operation to his meniscus. He returned for the club to face Lecce, but he fell victim to another injury during that encounter.
This latest blow is likely to keep him out for longer than expected. The striker could be back in April, but it may be too little, too late for the Milan giants.
Meanwhile, Milan clash with Lazio on Sunday night in the Stadio Olimpico. Alexandre Pato is likely to start up front. There may also be a starting role for Ronaldinho, as David Beckham is doubtful.
Galliani: Beckham's AC Milan Stay Depends On LA Galaxy
Milan vice president Adriano Galliani insists David Beckham's chances of extending his loan spell at the club all depend on Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Rossoneri have not hidden the fact that they want to keep the English midfielder for as long as possible. However, they are keen not to let this affect the good relationship they enjoy with the Major League Soccer side.
Galliani is delighted with Beckham's progress and he wants him to stay, but he admits Galaxy will have the final say in the affair, not Milan.
"I am happy for Beckham because we have the proof that we wanted a footballer and nothing else when we became interested in him," Galliani told Il Corriere Dello Sport.
"He is a great player and he has humility too.
"Will he stay? At the moment it cannot happen...unless. It depends on those [Galaxy] who hold the rights to his contract."
Reports in England have suggested Milan were prepared to offer the American side €6 million to keep the Englishman on a permanent basis.
Galliani's words echo coach Carlo Ancelotti's comments after the Genoa match on Wednesday night.
The former Juventus coach revealed it would be down to Beckham and the Galaxy in order to resolve the situation.
The Rossoneri have not hidden the fact that they want to keep the English midfielder for as long as possible. However, they are keen not to let this affect the good relationship they enjoy with the Major League Soccer side.
Galliani is delighted with Beckham's progress and he wants him to stay, but he admits Galaxy will have the final say in the affair, not Milan.
"I am happy for Beckham because we have the proof that we wanted a footballer and nothing else when we became interested in him," Galliani told Il Corriere Dello Sport.
"He is a great player and he has humility too.
"Will he stay? At the moment it cannot happen...unless. It depends on those [Galaxy] who hold the rights to his contract."
Reports in England have suggested Milan were prepared to offer the American side €6 million to keep the Englishman on a permanent basis.
Galliani's words echo coach Carlo Ancelotti's comments after the Genoa match on Wednesday night.
The former Juventus coach revealed it would be down to Beckham and the Galaxy in order to resolve the situation.
MILAN WILL MEET DAVID BECKHAM`S AGENT REVEALS GALLIANI
Before tonight's match against Genoa, Milan vice president Adriano Galliani gave an interview to SKY Sport in which he talked mainly about the possibility of keeping David Beckham instead of letting him return to Los Angeles Galaxy in March, as was agreed in the loan deal.
"There is a very good feeling between the player and the club, but there are some problems you'll also be aware of. Let's see what can be done," he said.
"We honour our agreements, on March 9 he has to return to Los Angeles, but there is some time to go before that, and who knows, maybe the miracle will happen and the dream will come true.
"His agent is in Milan, he will talk with David after the match [against Genoa], and we will meet him in the next few days."
Asked if he would be willing to sell Ronaldinho to get the funds needed to keep Becks at the club, Galliani said: "Well, we might sell Kaká... no, I'm just joking. Ronaldinho is a very important player for us, at the start of the season he did well and he will continue to do well. If Beckham stays it will strengthen us even more."
On the recovery of defender Alessandro Nesta, he added: "I talked with [Gennaro] Gattuso in the dressing room and he told me he saw Nesta train well, and that he could recover quickly, but I can't answer because this is a medical problem, not a technical one. Nesta hasn't told me anything, but Gattuso has told me he's doing very well."
"There is a very good feeling between the player and the club, but there are some problems you'll also be aware of. Let's see what can be done," he said.
"We honour our agreements, on March 9 he has to return to Los Angeles, but there is some time to go before that, and who knows, maybe the miracle will happen and the dream will come true.
"His agent is in Milan, he will talk with David after the match [against Genoa], and we will meet him in the next few days."
Asked if he would be willing to sell Ronaldinho to get the funds needed to keep Becks at the club, Galliani said: "Well, we might sell Kaká... no, I'm just joking. Ronaldinho is a very important player for us, at the start of the season he did well and he will continue to do well. If Beckham stays it will strengthen us even more."
On the recovery of defender Alessandro Nesta, he added: "I talked with [Gennaro] Gattuso in the dressing room and he told me he saw Nesta train well, and that he could recover quickly, but I can't answer because this is a medical problem, not a technical one. Nesta hasn't told me anything, but Gattuso has told me he's doing very well."
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