San Siro to have artificial pitch installed

Posted on April 20, 2012 by adminsports

San Siro set to have artificial pitch installed following Wenger and Guardiola complaints

UPDATED:

10:21 GMT, 20 April 2012

The San Siro looks likely to have an artificial pitch installed in time for the start of next season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola have both complained about the state of the pitch this season when facing AC Milan in the Champions League.

Rant: Wenger was furious after Arsenal's 4-0 defeat at the San Siro

Matt Fortune

Wenger said after Arsenal's 4-0 defeat in March: ‘I didn’t know it was possible. The pitch we played on was 10 times worse than it was on Tuesday.

'I complained to the official at UEFA but he just looks at you and says, ‘‘Oh, thank you very much, I have a dinner tonight’’.’

Guardiola's complaint was less frantic than Wenger's, probably given the fact his side drew 0-0 against Milan.

'In the end we adapt to everything… but it's clear that this was a problem for the spectacle,' he said earlier this month.

Complaint: Barca registered their feelings with UEFA

Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that work on a hybrid pitch combining synthetic and natural layers will begin in June.

Following the Barca game Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani expressed his desire to see a new pitch laid, but stressed that an agreement needed to be reached with rivals Inter Milan, who share the stadium.

The pitch has been in poor shape for years, ever since a partial roof was installed at the stadium for the 1990 World Cup, reducing exposure to sun.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has nothing to prove as AC Milan face Barcelona

Posted on March 28, 2012 by adminsports

Ibrahimovic insists he has nothing to prove as he faces former club Barcelona

UPDATED:

17:33 GMT, 27 March 2012

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes he has nothing to prove when AC Milan host defending champions Barcelona on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Ibrahimovic spent an unhappy season at Barcelona before heading to Milan after falling out with coach Pep Guardiola and several of his team-mates. But on Saturday, he scored his 29th goal of the season in Milan's 2-1 win over Roma.

'We have had so many champions, this one seems to me to be one of the best,' Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said.

Sure: Zlatan Ibrahimovic firmly believes he has nothing to prove to Barcelona

'It will be a great match. Milan has been used to these kind of matches for so many years and I'm happy when Milan fights. Last year we were in battle with Inter, this year with Juventus: the opponent changes, but we are always there. 'At the end you lose, you win, you draw, but what's important is to keep the club at the top.'

In the Champions League, Ibrahimovic has scored five goals in six games. Messi, however, scored that many goals in his last Champions League game, a 7-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

'He is the best in the world,' Ibrahimovic said. 'Messi grows better every year and he's beating record after record. I hope he goes on a long time like this, I enjoy watching him play football.

'Am I as strong as him It's not up to me to say, I'm doing well here and what's most important is that Milan wins.

'I don't have anything to prove, what others say is only their opinion. Will I greet Guardiola I don't know, the past is the past, I don't think this is important for either of us.'

Praise: Ibrahimovic told of his respect for Lionel Messi

Barcelona, who have won the competition twice in the past three years, is favorite to go through, although they face a stern test against Milan, the Italian league leader and seven-time European champion.

'The whole team has to have a perfect game, including me,' Ibrahimovic added. 'We are playing against the strongest team but we have nothing to lose.

'We have prepared well for this and I hope we can translate that onto the pitch. We are the only Italian side in Europe and we hope to remain so even after these two games.

'Without my team-mates it's impossible to do what I do. We're a team, at the moment I'm scoring a lot of goals, but those are phases.

'Without the team it is impossible. You lose and you win together. We are a group, we are Milan.'

Milan was hit by a late blow when defender Thiago Silva limped out of Saturday's win. The Brazilian will miss both legs of the quarter-final.

The two clubs have already met in the Champions League this season, in the group stage, with Milan drawing 2-2 at the Camp Nou – thanks to a late equaliser from Thiago Silva – and losing 3-2 at home when both teams had already qualified for the knockout stages.

One better: Will AC Milan be able to improve on their group showings against Barcelona

Out: Alexandro Pato is one of a few missing Milan players

'We matched them,' Galliani said. 'All in all we drew 4-4, and then there was the dubious penalty for Barcelona.

'We're not very lucky in the draws, but neither is Barca.'

Milan should welcome back Maxi Lopez and Robinho after the pair missed the weekend's match with injury. However, fellow strikers Antonio Cassano, Filippo Inzaghi and Alexandre Pato are still out.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes feels that will have little impact on the outcome.

'It's a good moment (to play them) but they are always a dangerous team,' Valdes said.

'We saw it in the group phase and they are in good form now. They have some injuries but historically they have always been there in Europe and they have enough important players to replace the injured.

'When you've already met in the group phase it can complicate things, like what happened the year we faced Inter Milan.

'Let's hope the story changes this time and that the match-up comes out in our favour. Despite their injury problems, Milan is a great team with players who are very motivated at this moment.'

Barcelona have injury problems of their own. Adriano is sidelined and, although Ibrahim Afellay will travel to Milan, the Dutch midfielder has been out for most of the last six months after having knee surgery.

Gennaro Gattuso offers to stay at AC Milan for free as star battles to save career

Posted on February 20, 2012 by adminsports

Gattuso offers to stay at Milan for free as hardman midfielder battles to save career

Gennaro Gattuso has offered to play for free in a bid to stay at AC Milan despite battling to overcome a career threatening eye injury.

The 2006 World Cup winning Italy midfielder has not played competitively since last September after he suffered a nasty collision with team-mate Alessandro Nesta on the opening day of the season.

Gattuso, the former Rangers star who infamously clashed with Tottenham coach Joe Jordan at the San Siro last year in an ugly touchline spat, was diagnosed with myasthenia – an autoimmune neuromuscular disease last month.

Plea: Injured Gennaro Gattuso has offered to play for free in a bid to stay at AC Milan

The 34-year-old, who did play during Milan's winter break in Dubai against Paris St Germain, has been battling to make a comeback to first-team action and hopes to step up his recovery bid this month in training.

And with his contract coming to an end this summer, Gattuso has pleaded with the Serie A club's vice-president Adriano Galliani to allow him to stay without pay.

'I'm ready to play for free,' he said, speaking to the Milan Channel.

'I live for football. At the age of 34, I have never thought about stopping.

'I'm doing a little better and I hope to start doing physical work again in within a week.

Comeback: Gattuso played in January in a friendly but has not starred for Milan in a competitive fixture since last September

'Right now, I miss football. If it were up to me, I'd return to the field immediately. But I will wait to see what the doctors say.

'My condition is strange and difficult to beat. But those that know me know that I live for football.

Matt Fortune

'I've told Adriano Galliani that it's not a matter of money. I want to return to doing what I love.'

Milan, meanwhile, are expected to welcome back Silvio Berlusconi as their president in April.

The 75-year-old had to step down after becoming Italy's Prime Minister in 2008 – a role he resigned from last November in the wake of the country's debt crisis.

AC Milan pull out of Carlos Tevez deal

Posted on January 28, 2012 by adminsports

AC Milan pull out of deal for Tevez after signing Lopez leaving striker stuck at City

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has confirmed the club have ended their interest in signing Carlos Tevez during the current transfer window.

Milan had been in negotiations with Manchester City throughout January over a move for the Argentinian with the Barclays Premier League club insistent any deal would be permanent, ruling out a loan.

Galliani had said earlier this week that should they fail to acquire Tevez they would instead sign Maxi Lopez and earlier today they registered the former Catania striker's signing with the Italian league.

Stuck: Carlos Tevez will be lumbered at Manchester City until the summer

Galliani then confirmed that the Serie A champions would not be signing Tevez.

He told Milan Channel they had set a deadline of 1900 local time for a final decision and said: 'At 1830 I was convinced we were very close to sealing the Tevez deal.

'I did my best, it was a day where I had my heart in my mouth, but no more could be done.

'We had everything set for Tevez to come, but the situation changed.'
However, Galliani admitted it did not spell an end to Milan's interest in Tevez, who has been in his native Argentina without the club's permission since November having not played for them since September.

Never again: Despite remaining at the Etihad, Tevez will surely not appear in a City shirt again

He added: 'Who knows with Carlitos – there is only a few months (until the summer transfer window )and that's it.

'I'm happy with how we are left with City, we have a very good relationship.

'Today was still very important because we have solved some misunderstandings of recent days with City, relations are much improved.

'But, patience, life goes on. The market will reopen in four months, we'll see.'

Talks: Tevez's agent Kia Joorbachian

Milan's city rivals Inter as well as French side Paris St Germain had also been linked but withdrew their interest and for Tevez it would appear he has no way out of the Etihad Stadium this month with the transfer window drawing to a close

That fact was underlined by Tevez's
advisor Kia Joorabchian, when he said in an interview with talkSPORT
that his client could remain at City until the next transfer window.

'We've been in negotiations with three big clubs,' said Joorabchian.

Rift: Tevez, left, and Roberto Mancini

'I don't think anyone has reached the numbers City were hoping for.

'At the moment it looks like Carlos will remain at City until this summer.'

Galliani however welcomed Lopez to the San Siro after the Argentinian arrived on loan from Catania.

He said: 'With Maxi I kept my word:
we had a deadline of 7pm today, and since we had not reached an
agreement with City we have filed Lopez's signing with the league.

'He is a very important player.

'We can use him in the Champions League.'

Milan man: Maxi Lopez has signed for AC Milan

Carlos Tevez feud has cost him 9.3m

Posted on January 25, 2012 by adminsports

Tevez's 9.3m feud! City reveal cost to rebel striker since his Champions League snub

Carlos Tevez's bitter fall-out with Manchester City has cost the rebel striker a staggering 9.3million in fines and lost bonuses.

On the day Mario Balotelli’s agent warned the Italian could be forced to quit English football unless he ‘gets more protection’, City told Tevez he will not be allowed to engineer a cut-price move to AC Milan.

They confirmed the huge personal cost of Tevez’s battle of wills with the club that stretches back to the Argentine’s transfer demand in December 2010.

Getting in the swing: Carlos Tevez has spent the last few months away from Manchester City's training base, enjoying plenty of sunshine and golf

Tevez forfeited 6m in loyalty
bonuses after that, and was then hit with a 400,000 fine for refusing
to warm up against Bayern Munich, another 1.2m for gross misconduct
when he returned to Argentina without permission last November, and
1.7m in lost earnings since the club stopped paying his
198,000-a-week wages.

Tevez, absent from the club for two
months, has five days to appeal his gross misconduct charge, which would
be heard by an independent Premier League panel.

The 27-year-old remains in Buenos
Aires and risks being left in limbo if no club meet City’s valuation
before the end of the transfer window.

There have been talks with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain — who
ended their interest yesterday — but City are adamant they will not let
Tevez and his advisors put together a 20m deal with AC Milan
vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi last night,
chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: ‘Mr Galliani and his advisers have
developed a misplaced sense of confidence from their premature
discussions with Carlos and his advisers. If they want to be a
consideration in this transfer window they would do better to stop
congratulating one another and begin to look at how they would meet our
terms.’

Having accepted a 40m deal with Brazilian club Corinthians last summer, the Premier League leaders want 29m for Tevez.

Flashpoint: Tevez refused to warm up during a Champions League match in Munich

And Al Mubarak added: ‘Carlos remains
a player with contractual obligations to Manchester City for the next
two-and-a-half seasons. Unless we receive an offer that we deem
appropriate, the terms of his contract will be enforced.

‘Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain
approached discussions with us in good faith and it is always a
positive experience to deal with people with a professional approach. As
things stand, AC Milan isn’t an option for Carlos Tevez.’

Meanwhile, Balotelli’s agent Mino
Raiola claimed that the controversial striker could look for a move if
he believes he is being persecuted by Premier League officials.

Raiola accused referee Howard Webb of
acting like a ‘coward’ over Balotelli’s alleged stamp on Tottenham
midfielder Scott Parker.

Lonely experience: On occasions he was at home, Tevez trained on his own

/01/24/article-2091227-11686E11000005DC-202_468x336.jpg” width=”468″ height=”336″ alt=”Stamp it out: Mario Balotelli's clash with Scott Parker has cost the City striker four gamesStamp it out: Mario Balotelli's clash with Scott Parker has cost the City striker four games” class=”blkBorder” />

Stamp it out: Mario Balotelli's clash with Scott Parker has cost the City striker four games

If a referee says he saw everything
from one metre away and then he declares he didn’t see anything only
after the Press and Redknapp pushed him, he’s a coward. If he did not
change his mind the TV proof would not be accepted. I’m really mad with
the FA. They should send this referee to an optician.

‘Can somebody explain to me what Mr
Webb was looking at I don’t know if he saw a mouse on the field.
Frankly, we don’t believe that he didn’t see it.

‘Afterwards, Mr Webb went to Mario
and said there was nothing wrong. Why did he say in his report that he
didn’t see it to leave space for other people to judge Mario feels very
uncomfortable with this matter.’

Raiola confirmed that Balotelli wants
to contest the charge but admitted the threat of the FA increasing the
ban to five games would probably deter the club.

City coach David Platt had indicated
as much earlier in the day when he appeared at a press conference in
place of manager Roberto Mancini.

‘It’s my opinion that Howard saw the incident,’ said Platt. ‘But if we were to appeal, I don’t think we would win that appeal.’

Carlos Tevez: AC Milan still want Manchester City striker

Posted on January 23, 2012 by adminsports

We still want Tevez! Milan still keen on City exile but have Lopez on standby

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has not given up hope of signing Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez but have Catania striker Maxi Lopez on standby in case the move breaks down.

Italian job: AC Milan still want Carlos Tevez

The Rossoneri pulled out of negotiations with City earlier this month to acquire the Argentina forward but have now confirmed they are back in the race to sign the 27-year-old.

'Tevez wants Milan We also want Tevez,' Galliani said.

'We shall see, there are still seven days left until the end of the transfer window.'

However, Milan face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan to land Tevez, who has stated his preference to join the Rossoneri.

Galliani insisted that should Milan fail to acquire Tevez, the Rossoneri would sign Fulham target Lopez from Catania.

'If Tevez does not arrive, then Maxi Lopez will join us,' Galliani said.

'Either one or the other, certainly not the two of them.'

Reports in Italy claimed Lopez has travelled to Milan to complete his transfer to the San Siro outfit.

However, Galliani said: 'I think he (Lopez) is already in Milan but we will now see what happens.

Standby: Milan are also keen on ex-Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez, who plays for Catania

'His medical We must be calm, we need to wait a few more days. Maxi Lopez is a player that interests us a lot and it's likely that he will arrive.

'The situation is very simple, we have an agreement with Catania and with the player.'

Inter Milan to speak to Carlos Tevez

Posted on January 13, 2012 by adminsports

We're back Inter you! Milan's city rivals to discuss Tevez deal next week after AC pull out

Inter Milan are ready to reopen talks with Manchester City over Carlos Tevez after rivals AC Milan pulled out of negotiations for the Argentinian striker.

Earlier this week, Inter president Massimo Moratti conceded defeat to Milan in the fight for Tevez, but that was before Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani on Thursday withdrew from talks with the Barclays Premier League club in the wake of Alexandre Pato's refusal to join Paris St Germain.

life's a beach: Carlos Tevez is almost certain to leave Manchester City this month

With Tevez's future once again up in the air, Moratti is ready to make another move next week.

Ahead of this weekend's Milan derby, Moratti told the club's website: 'We and City know all about Tevez's situation but we have decided to postpone talks until next week as right now my thoughts are on Sunday's game.

'There has certainly been contact (with City). We are in talks with clubs all around the world, including City.'

Reports in Italy claim Inter are prepared to offer 25million euros (20.75million) for Tevez, who has not featured for City since falling out with manager Roberto Mancini in September.

Carlos Tevez is AC Milan"s only target, says Adriano Galliani

Posted on December 30, 2011 by adminsports

We only want Tevez! Milan halts Lopez talks to secure misfit Man City striker

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has announced Carlos Tevez is the club”s sole target in the January transfer window.

The Serie A giants are focused on bringing Manchester City”s misfit striker to the San Siro in the coming weeks and have ended all interest in other players.

Tevez is currently in his native Argentina having flown home without City”s permission last month.

Home on the range: Tevez hasn

Home on the range: Tevez hasn”t been back to City and is spending plenty of time on the golf course

His representatives have been speaking to officials at Milan about a possible move, but a sticking point has been the terms of the deal, with Milan wanting Tevez on loan initially and City keen to sell the player immediately.

Galliani has already had to pull out on a deal with Catania to sign Maxi Lopez, but remains remains hopeful the Tevez deal can still go through.

“We gave up on the deal (for Lopez),” Galliani told Milan Channel. “Catania and the player behaved well but we cannot keep other teams and players on standby while we wait for Tevez.”

“I believe and hope that Carlos arrives,” he stated. “We have dropped all other leads to bring someone who is one of the best in the world.

“He continues to say that he wants only AC Milan and I am fully concentrated on this deal. The fans can rest assured that if they do not the get the result they want it will not be for a lack of effort.”

Flashpoint: The Argentina international

Flashpoint: The Argentina international”s relationship with City broke down during the game with Bayern last September

And Gailliani has moved to end the speculation surrounding Milan striker Pato with a move to PSG, after a reported falling-out with Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.

He said: “I have not heard from (PSG sporting director) Leonardo, nor Pato,” he claimed. “There are no negotiations.

“Pato is a Milan player and the truth is only that. In these days when the championship is stopped, the newspapers do not know what to write.”

Brazilian striker Adriano "accidentally shoots" woman in his car

Posted on December 25, 2011 by adminsports

Wayward Brazilian striker Adriano “accidentally shoots” woman in his car

Brazilian striker Adriano shot a woman inside his car while fooling around with his bodyguard”s gun, according to police.

The victim, named locally as Adriene Pinto, aged 20, was wounded in her left hand and required surgery.

Adriano has had a chequered career

Bad boy: Adriano has had a chequered career

A police officer said the incident happened in the early hours of Saturday mornining after Adriano, aged 29, four women and his bodyguard left a nightclub in the Barra da Tijuca district to the west of Rio de Janeiro.

The UOL Internet news portal said Adriene Pintotold police that Adriano, now playing for national champions Corinthians, accidentally fired his bodyguard”s gun when hewas fooling around with it inside the car.

No one else was hurt.

Adriano scored 27 goals in 48 games for Brazil and played for Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Parma but recently his career has been blighted by problems with his weight and alcohol.

Carlos Tevez closer to AC Milan move

Posted on December 20, 2011 by adminsports

Tevez moves closer to Milan move as Galliani prepares to meet City officials

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani expects to meet Manchester City officials on Thursday to discuss the possible transfer of Carlos Tevez.

Striker Tevez is currently in his native Argentina having flown home without City”s permission last month.

Here come the girls: Man City striker Tevez is AWOL in Argentina

Galliani said, according to Italian Eurosport: “On Thursday we have an appointment with Manchester City for Tevez but it will probably not be the decisive one to conclude negotiations.”

Galliani told Radio 1 Rai: “We”re not going to take him outright: we”re offering a free loan with the right to buy in June.

Long time ago: Tevez hasn

Long time ago: Tevez hasn”t trained with Manchester City for weeks

“The player wants to come to us and not PSG (Paris St Germain) and we hope City accept the offer.”

Galliani also said signing Maxi Lopez, currently at Catania, was a “standby” option if Milan are unable to agree terms with City for Tevez.

Catania are expecting Lopez to leave during the January transfer window, with general manager Pietro Lo Monaco saying the club had received several offers for the Argentinian forward.

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