No Milan move for Balotelli or Beckham as Rossoneri eye Kaka return

Posted on January 19, 2013 by adminsports

By
Peter Scott

PUBLISHED:

18:42 GMT, 19 January 2013

UPDATED:

18:42 GMT, 19 January 2013

AC Milan coach Massmiliano Allegri has insisted his club are not interested in signing Manchester City
striker Mario Balotelli or free agent David Beckham.

The Rossoneri have been heavily linked with Manchester City striker Balotelli, who came to prominence at Milan rivals Inter.

His fractious relationship with Blues boss Roberto Mancini has led to speculation that he will return to Italy.

Fractious: Mario Balotelli (right) has not always enjoyed a good relationship with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini

Beckham meanwhile, is without a club after leaving LA Galaxy, and enjoyed a successful loan spell with Milan in 2009.

But Allegri insisted there will be no move for either player.

'[We are] only negotiating for Kaka, so there will be no Mario Balotelli or David Beckham,' he said.

'There are talks in progress for Kaka, an important negotiation process if this great return should occur. I agree with the club and Adriano Galliani on everything, so there has never been my position opposed to that of the club. There is an exchange of ideas, certainly, but it's not true that I don't want Kaka.

Heady days: David Beckham and Kaka (right) when both played for AC Milan

'Beckham I know Beckham, he is a great guy and a player of real class. However, you can't wipe out his birth certificate and Milan have chosen to focus on youth hopefully with support from an important champion like Kaka.

'Balotelli We are only negotiating for Kaka. In attack we have Giampaolo Pazzini, Bojan Krkic and M'Baye Niang, while we also have experienced players who bring a sense of security.'

Champions League – your guide to the knockout stages

Posted on December 6, 2012 by adminsports

Sportsmail's complete guide to the 16 teams through to the Champions League knockout stages

UPDATED:

10:07 GMT, 6 December 2012

Chelsea became the first holders to fail to make the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

But 16 teams did make it through to the next round, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Celtic.

Eight of the 16 teams in the draw – those that won their group – are seeded, with the eight runners-up unseeded.

The runners-up are drawn first and play the first-leg matches at home.

They cannot be paired with either the winners from their section or clubs from the same county.

The draw will take place on December 20 at 10.30am in Nyon. The two leg ties in the last 16 will take place between February 12 and March 13.

Group winners: Robin van Persie and Manchester United could face Celtic

GROUP WINNERS

Paris St Germain
Schalke
Malaga
Borussia Dortmund
Juventus
Bayern Munich
Barcelona
Manchester United

GROUP RUNNERS-UP

Porto
Arsenal
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Valencia
Shakhtar Donetsk
Galatasaray
Celtic

Manchester United could face a battle of Britain tie with Scottish champions Celtic or one of five other sides:

PORTO

Coach: Vitor Pereira.
Star man: Jackson Martinez.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winner 1987, 2004.
Chances: Have shown they can go all the way before, but it seems unlikely they will trouble the major sides this time.
Did you know Pereira was previously assistant boss at Porto under Andre Villas-Boas, who led the team to a treble of the Portuguese league and cup and Europa League in 2011.

Real threat: Ronaldo is Real Madrid's talisman

AC MILAN

Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Star man: Stephan El Shaarawy.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007.
Chances: Struggling this term domestically and in Europe, they are not the force of old – although their pedigree in this competition means they should not be entirely written off.
Did you know The club was founded as a football and cricket outfit by English expatriates in 1899.

REAL MADRID

Coach: Jose Mourinho.
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002.
Chances: Over a decade on from Real's last Champions League triumph, it would appear boss Mourinho is determined to clinch the crown for the club this season and they are widely regarded as joint favourites alongside Barcelona.
Did you know Real appeared in eight of the first 11 European Cup finals.

Milan's main man: Stephan El Shaarawy poses a threat for the Italians

SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Coach: Mircea Lucescu.
Star man: Luiz Adriano.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Quarter-final 2011.
Chances: Another side to have really grabbed people's attention in the group stage, and one few teams will want to face in the knockout rounds.
Did you know Lucescu guided Shakhtar to the UEFA Cup title in 2009 – the final year before the tournament was rebranded as the Europa League.

VALENCIA

Coach: Ernesto Valverde.
Star man: Roberto Soldado.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Runner-up 2000, 2001.
Chances: Do not appear equipped for a really extended run in the competition this season.
Did you know Valencia recorded their biggest Champions League win last season by beating Genk 7-0.

CELTIC

Coach: Neil Lennon.
Star man: Victor Wanyama.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1967.
Chances: Given little hope after being grouped with Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow but reached knockout stage for first time since 2007/08 season. Anything else would be a bonus for the Scottish champions.
Did you know The club was founded in 1887 with the stated purpose of alleviating poverty in Glasgow's East End parishes.

Arsenal finished as runners-up in their group to Schalke 04, so will face one of these group winners:

PARIS ST GERMAIN

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
Star man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Semi-final 1995.
Chances: Mega-rich PSG have ambitions to win the Champions League this term and if striker Ibrahimovic can continue his superb form, it might just happen.
Did you know Paris St Germain were only formed in 1970, as a merger between Paris FC and Stade St Germain.

I am Zlatan: Ibrahimovic made a big money move to PSG in the summer

MALAGA

Coach: Manuel Pellegrini.
Star man: Javier Saviola.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: First time in competition.
Chances: Impressive so far in their debut Champions League season, although inexperience may count against them in the knockout rounds.
Did you know Pellegrini took Villarreal to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2006, but during his brief period as boss at Real Madrid, could only get Los Blancos to the last 16.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Coach: Jurgen Klopp.
Star man: Robert Lewandowski.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1997.
Chances: Have very much caught the eye in the group stage and are being tipped as dark horses for the title.
Did you know Dortmund, under Klopp, have won the Bundesliga for the past two seasons, securing a domestic double in 2011-12 by adding the DFB-Pokal.

Poles apart: Robert Lewandowski Dortmund's prolific striker

BAYERN MUNICH

Coach: Jupp Heynckes
Star man: Franck Ribery.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001.
Chances: Last season's beaten finalists are looking to make amends and have been effective so far.
Did you know Bayern lost the 2011-12 Champions League final despite it being played at their home ground, being defeated on penalties by Chelsea at the Allianz Arena following a 1-1 draw.

BARCELONA

Coach: Tito Vilanova.
Star man: Lionel Messi.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1992, 2006, 2009, 2011.
Chances: There has been little so far to suggest that Vilanova, appointed as Barca boss over the summer, cannot emulate his predecessor Pep Guardiola this term by winning the competition.
Did you know Prior to their 2006 Champions League triumph, Barcelona had not featured in a European Cup final since 1994.

JUVENTUS

Coach: Antonio Conte.
Star man: Arturo Vidal.
Previous best in CL/European Cup: Winners 1985, 1996.
Chances: Serie A champions snuck into last 16 by winning final group game and will be expected to step it up when European competition resumes in February.
Did you know Juve's original strip was pink, back in 1897. They adopted their new colours six years later when Turin-based Englishman John Savage acquired a set of black and white vertical striped shirts from a Notts County-supporting friend.

AC Milan deny Pep Guardiola talks

Posted on November 7, 2012 by adminsports

Milan deny holding talks with Guardiola team as pressure increases on boss Allegri

UPDATED:

14:23 GMT, 7 November 2012

AC Milan have denied that Pep Guardiola is set to end his self-imposed break from football to replace their under-fire manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The former Barcelona boss is taking a year's sabbatical but Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Tuesday that Guardiola's brother, Pere, and former Barcelona assistant coach Manuel Estiarte were seen with Milan chief Adriano Galliani.

Milan have endured their worst ever start to a Serie A season and could only manage a draw with Malaga in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Reeling: AC Milan have suffered their worst start to a Serie A season

Under pressure: Massimiliano Allegri (right)

The Spanish team have now qualified for the knockout phase of the competition, while Allegri was left hoping his side can join them by holding off Anderlecht and Zenit St Petersburg.

Allegri, however, may not survive long enough to find out, with his position coming under increasing scrutiny. But Milan have moved to deny the meeting with Guardiola's representatives took place.

'AC Milan deny recently released media stories of a meeting between club officials, in particular club CEO Adriano Galliani, and Mr. Guardiola or his agent,' a statement on the club’s official website read.

Big catch: Barcelona hero Pep Guardiola is on a year's break from football

It was also reported in Italy that Guardiola's pals watched the match against Malaga from the stands in the San Siro.

Asked after the match about Guardiola, Allegri told Mediaset: 'The presence of Guardiola's entourage in the stands doesn't bother me.

'I've heard a million names being bandied about, I'm a bit bored of this story, also because it's up to the club to deal with this situation.

'Our problems lie elsewhere: moving back up the table and making up ground in the Champions League. These are my objectives and as long as I'm in this post I have to do the best I can.'

Nigel de Jong joins AC Milan from Manchester City

Posted on August 31, 2012 by adminsports

De Jong waves farewell to City as Dutchman joins Italian giants AC Milan

UPDATED:

10:09 GMT, 31 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Nigel de Jong looks set to be the biggest name using the revolving door at Manchester City after the combative midfielder completed his move to Serie A side AC Milan.

The departure of De Jong is not a surprise. The 27-year-old Holland international is in the final year of his contract and has been linked with other clubs throughout the summer.

Mancini said: 'I am sorry because Nigel was an important player for us but if he is happy, I am happy for him.

'I am sure he will do really well in the Italian championship.'

End of the road: Nigel de Jong is waving farewell to Manchester City as he nears a move to AC Milan

De Jong admitted he can't wait to test himself against Inter Milan – a club who were keen to sign him.

He said: ‘Milan will be competitive — both in Italy and in Europe. It is a fascinating club with a great history.

'After having experienced the Manchester derby, I will now get to experience the Milan derby.’

On Thursday night he arrived in Milan to have dinner with the CEO Adriano Galliani and coach Massimiliano Allegri before sealing his switch.

'De Jong is on his way to Milan,' said the official Milan TV channel on Thursday night.

'The medical will be performed tomorrow [Friday].'

The switch ends the Dutchman's three-year stint at City and comes at a time when they are gearing up for a mouth-watering Champions League encounter with Real Madrid following Thursday's group stage draw.

Italian job: De Jong played his last game for City at Anfield before moving on to the San Siro

Their meeting with the Spanish giants in the Bernabeu on September 18 will represent one of the biggest European nights in their entire history, while the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and company at the Etihad Stadium on November 21 is a guaranteed sell-out.

More pertinently, City, who entertain Swansea on Saturday evening, have also been linked with big-money deals for Theo Walcott and Maicon, although the England winger looks set to stay at Arsenal.

Euro 2012: How Pirlo became Italy"s most valuable player

Posted on June 30, 2012 by adminsports

How Pirlo became Italy's most valuable renaissance figure…

UPDATED:

21:40 GMT, 29 June 2012

He has been the stand-out performer so far, too good for England and even for Germany, but Andrea Pirlo did not dare give Euro 2012 so much as a passing thought a year ago.

Disillusioned by an injury-disrupted campaign at AC Milan, and sensing he was no longer wanted by coach Massimiliano Allegri or influential chief executive Adriano Galliani, he was more concerned about salvaging his club career than adding to his 80 Italy caps.

As he looked for a new challenge, then 32 and with his best days apparently behind him, takers seemed few and far between. Up the road in Turin, though, Giuseppe Marotta had a hunch.

The artist: Pirlo has orchestrated Italy's march to the final

Euro 2012 email button

'We had put together a good young team and appointed Antonio Conte as coach, but we still needed something extra,' said Juventus's chief executive.

'We wanted a player with a strong personality, who had won titles and could teach younger players how to do the same and also how to react when things went against them. I just had a feeling Pirlo could be the man.'

Marotta backed his judgment with a contract worth 2.5million a year over three seasons, and the rest is history.

Star man: Pirlo topped the Serie A assists table last season

Pirlo topped the Serie A assists table, with 13, as Juve secured their first title in nine years. Marginalised at Milan 12 months earlier, he walked into the Italian team of the year last month and is now set to crown a stunning renaissance by pitting his wits against Spain's midfield in tomorrow's final.

It is a remarkable achievement for a 33-year-old, but he knows where the spark came from.

Next step: Pirlo's unsure whether to go into coaching

'What happened with Milan last year wasn't just their mistake,' he said. 'It was down to me as well, because I had reached the stage where I needed a new motivation, something to refresh my career. Juventus was perfect.

'Here was a young team, set up to recapture past glories at a club with a fantastic tradition. It was the ideal incentive to go into training each day and work at putting the plan into action. It gave me back my desire to find my best form again.'

Conte said: 'He has been the ultimate professional from day one. He is in a class of his own, and the difference between his type and players who are merely good is their attitude.

'He is not just a great player but a deep thinker about the game. He doesn't say much in the dressing room, but when he speaks, the others listen. He has that aura about him.'

Coaching sounds an obvious next step, but Pirlo is unsure.

'I'm not too enamoured with all the pressure that goes with it,' he said.

'My father runs a couple of steel factories in Brescia, so maybe I'll go into his business. 'Maybe, when I hang up my boots, I will leave football altogether.'

Euro 2012: Italy"s Andrea Pirlo puts form down to Juventus move

Posted on June 28, 2012 by adminsports

ReJUVEnated: Pirlo's Italian renaissance down to Turin switch

UPDATED:

09:29 GMT, 28 June 2012

He has been on top of his game throughout, never more so than against England, but Andrea Pirlo did not dare give the European Championships so much as a passing thought 12 months ago.

As he looked round for a new challenge, at just turned 32 and with his best days apparently behind him, takers seemed few and far between. Up the road in Turin, though, Giuseppe Marotta had a hunch.

Raring to go: Andrea Pirlo (right) will attempt to fire Italy into the final

Euro 2012 email button

‘We had put together a good young team and appointed Antonio Conte as coach, but we still needed something extra,’ said Juventus’ chief executive. ‘We wanted a player with a strong personality for the dressing room. Someone who had won many titles and could teach our younger players how to do the same and also how to react when things went against them. Who better than Andrea Pirlo’

Marotta backed his judgement with a contract offer worth three million euros a year over three seasons, and the rest, as opposed to Pirlo’s playing days, is history.

After scoring only once and contributing to just three other goals, in his farewell season at the San Siro, he topped the Serie A assists table, with 13, as Juve secured their first Scudetto in nine years. Marginalised at Milan 12 months earlier, he walked into the Serie A team of the year, just as he did the Italy starting line-up for a Euro ’12 campaign that reaches the semi-final stage against Germany on Thursday night.

Main man: Pirlo (right) controlled the midfield against England last Sunday

Should he replicate the form that kept England on the back foot, in Sunday’s one-sided quarter-final, an already decorated career could be heading for one last highlight. It would be some achievement for a 33-year old, but he knows where the spark came from.

‘What happened with Milan last year wasn’t just their mistake,’ he said. ‘It was down to me as well, because I reached the stage where I felt I needed a new motivation. I needed something to refresh my career, and Juventus was perfect.

‘Here was a young team, set up to recapture past glories at a club with a fantastic tradition. It was the ideal incentive to go into training each day and work at putting the plan into action. You could see it taking shape, and it gave me back my desire to find my best form again.’

If there were doubts in some quarters about the wisdom of a three-year contract for a 30-something Milan cast-off, Conte had none.

Reborn: Pirlo at Juventus

‘He has been the ultimate professional from day one,’ said the Juve coach. ‘He is in a class of his own, and the difference between his type and players who are merely good is their attitude.

‘Before he’d even played his first game, he came to see me and spoke at great length about how I intended using him. He wanted to know what I expected from him, where he would be operating on the pitch and how the team would be set up. It became quite technical at times, but he understood everything I said.

‘In my experience, there are very few players who can so easily grasp every detail of your tactical concept. Pirlo wants to know everything, and he even corrects me sometimes. When I tell him how we are going to do something, he will occasionally say: “No, why don’t we do it this way” Often, his proposal makes sense, and I take it on board, but if I disagree, he accepts that I have the final say.

‘He is not just a great player but a deep thinker about the game. He doesn’t say much in the dressing room, but when he speaks, the others listen. He has that aura about him.’

Coaching sounds an obvious next step, but Pirlo is unsure. ‘I’m not too enamoured with all the pressure that goes with it,’ he said. ‘My father runs a couple of steel factories in Brescia, so maybe I’ll go into his business. Maybe, when I hang up my boots, I will leave football altogether.’

Clarence Seedorf says farewell to AC Milan after a trophy-laden decade at the San Siro

Posted on June 22, 2012 by adminsports

Seedorf says farewell to AC Milan after a trophy-laden 10 seasons with the Rossoneri

UPDATED:

18:29 GMT, 21 June 2012

AC Milan have agreed to sign Chievo defender Francesco Acerbi and Genoa's Guinea midfielder Kevin Constant, but Clarence Seedorf is leaving after 10 years with the Rossoneri.

Milan, who lost their Italian league title to Juventus in May, are swelling their ranks having let several of the old guard leave the San Siro, including Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi, Gianluca Zambrotta and Mark van Bommel.

Fond farewell: Seedorf

Seedorf, who won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 with Milan to notch up four winners' medals in total, joined the band of departures – but did not reveal where he is going amid reports he will join Brazil's Botafogo.

Superb servant: Seedorf

'I am leaving after 10 fantastic years – they were intense years, so many seasons passed by so quickly like everything that's great in life, the 36-year-old Dutchman told a news conference.

'I thank everyone, truly everyone. What emotion. I will let you know soon about my future. I am taking my time. I have lots of offers.'

It is understood that Seedorf wants to play on for another two seasons elsewhere before returning to Milan as part of the staff.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have drafted in Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo and Nancy's Bakaye Traor for next term but with Mathieu Flamini set to be released, another midfielder should arrive before the season's opener in August.

Milan also said in a statement that the midfielder Sulley Muntari has had surgery on knee ligament damage and is expected to be fit in five or six months.

Fabio Capello linked with AC Milan director of football role

Posted on April 24, 2012 by adminsports

Going home! Capello lined up for director of football role at AC Milan

UPDATED:

08:59 GMT, 24 April 2012

Fabio Capello could be set for a shock return to AC Milan.

San Siro president Silvio Berlusconi wants the former England boss in a specially created director-of-football role, according to Milan newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

Capello said recently that his next job would not be in his native Italy, but the 65-year-old has yet to find a challenge to tempt him back into the game.

Looking for work: Fabio Capello, pictured in Milan last week, is being linked with a return to his former club as director of football

He has reportedly turned down approaches from China, the Middle East, Russia and also from within the Barclays Premier League, and a change of direction at a club where he is loved could prove attractive.

Capello, who walked out on England in February over the John Terry captaincy row, was at the San Siro with his family for Milan’s 1-1 draw with Bologna on Saturday.

The former Italy midfielder was sitting close to Milan chief executive Adriano Galliano and Berlusconi’s daughter Barbara, who is also on the Milan board.

Happy memories: Capello (left) enjoyed success as player and manager of Milan

Under the plan, Galliano would remain as head of the technical staff, but Capello would take a new role as a bridge between Galliano and the head coach.

Massimiliano Allegri’s position is in doubt, as Juventus look set to grab the Serie A crown from Milan, but the young boss still has admirers in the boardroom and may benefit from working with such an experienced figure as Capello.

If Milan end the season badly, they could turn to Italy boss Cesare Prandelli or Zenit St Petersburg’s Luciano Spalletti to take over.

Arsene Wenger must buy big, says Massimiliano Allegri

Posted on March 5, 2012 by adminsports

Wenger must buy big names! Milan boss Allegri points to Arsenal's lack of leaders

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has told Arsene Wenger to forget about halting Arsenal's trophy drought unless he buys big names.

Allegri is set to end the Gunners' Champions League hopes as his Italian giants arrive at the Emirates this week with a 4-0 lead from the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Hands up: Robin van Persie jokes with his team-mates ahead of Arsenal's second leg last 16 Champions League tie against AC Milan

Wenger last tasted success in the 2005 FA Cup and Allegri said: 'For me it's impossible to win the title or Champions League without signing big players. You will never do it without big players.

Hey Arsenal, splash the cash: Massimiliano Allegri's words of advice

'That goes for Arsenal, Milan or any big club. You must buy big.'

Allegri won the Serie A title last year, Milan's first since 2004, and sit at the top of the table after Saturday's 4-0 win at Palermo.

He added: 'I have a strong team but in that I have three big players, bringing experience, character, technical ability and leadership.

London calling: Robinho leads the way as Milan shape-up for their visit to the Emirates

'You need leaders. For me in every team there are two leaders. One technical and tactical leader and one with character.

Target: Cologne striker Lukas Podolski (left) is on Arsenal's radar

'In Milan our technical leader is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In terms of character, until last year, it was Rino Gattuso. Now Mark Van Bommel or Thiago Silva.'

Robin van Persie is Arsenal's main man but question marks hang over the Holland striker's future. He has watched the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave the club in the past couple of seasons.

Hard to handle: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) was too good for Arsenal in the San Siro

Time to dig deep: Arsene Wenger (right) should splash out, says Allegri

Germany internationals Lukas Podolski and Mario Goetze have been linked with moves to north London.

Allegri said: 'It's not fair to criticise Wenger so much and it is not right, because every year Arsenal sell one big player or two big players and the team still manage to play well and finish in the top four.

'But it's also true that if they want to win trophies they have to keep their best players. And make two or three big signings. If somebody told me this summer we have to sell Zlatan and Kevin Prince Boateng I would say no. No. Noooo…'

Dutch of class: Robin van Persie has led by example for Arsenal this season

Arsenal can beat AC Milan and win Champions League – Arsene Wenger

Posted on February 15, 2012 by adminsports

I won't waste my time! Arsenal CAN beat Milan and conquer Europe, insists Wenger

Arsene Wenger has said he would not waste his time if he did not believe Arsenal can beat AC Milan and go on to win the Champions League.

The Rossoneri currently lead Juventus at the top of Serie A, with Massimiliano Allegri's men looking to make up for last season's defeat at the same stage of the competition to Tottenham by dumping the Gunners out of Europe.

Arsenal go into Wednesday's first leg of their last 16 tie on the back of successive Barclays Premier League wins which have propelled them back up into the top four.

Confident mood: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger speaks during a press conference at the San Siro

Wenger, whose side recorded a famous 2-0 win on their last visit to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza against the then holders four seasons ago, maintains the Gunners mean business.

'If I would think we have no chance to win the game I would stay at home. I don't like to waste my time,' the Arsenal manager declared. 'I believe what makes football interesting is that you can win everywhere.

'We have shown we can win everywhere and I have full confidence in this team that we can do it.

All smiles: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoys a laugh in training on Tuesday

'We will try to play our game. Milan are a good side. We think we are a good side. We will attack, they certainly will as well. So it should be a good game.'

Wenger accepts Arsenal are in a defining period of their campaign, with an FA Cup fifth round tie at Sunderland following on Sunday.

He continued: 'We are concentrated on every game we play. We do not choose the games.

Dangerman: AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on during a training session at Milanello

'We are Arsenal Football Club and we just try to win the next game. Is it FA Cup, Champions League or Championship I believe it is important we are strong everywhere.'

Wenger is expected to field an attacking side tomorrow, which will probably include livewire England Under 21 international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Gunners, boss, though, expressed concern over the playing surface, Milan not immune to the Arctic conditions which have swept across Europe.

Wenger said: 'I am a bit worried about the quality of the pitch. It doesn't look exceptional. Hopefully tomorrow it will be better.

Game for a laugh: Aaron Ramsey and Thierry Henry look relaxed in training ahead of the Gunners' trip to Milan

'It has been relaid down the flanks very recently and you know what it is like when you have just laid a pitch like that. It takes time to settle and become flat. At the moment, it isn't.'

Arsenal will have to shackle the threat of experienced Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is serving a domestic ban for a red card against Napoli.

The 30-year-old netted a brace against the Gunners at Emirates Stadium when he played for Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final two seasons ago.

Eye on the ball: Robin van Persie (right) warms up at London Colney

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen will again look to shackle the 6ft 3in frontman, whom he went up against at close quarters as a youngster when at Ajax.

'When I was playing regularly, he had left already, but I had a lot of sessions with him when I was a young player,' said the 26-year-old Belgian international.

'I know his qualities, like everybody does. He is a strong and technical player, one of their main players, it is up to us as defenders to keep him quiet tomorrow.'

Training: Kevin Prince Boateng

Warm up: Pato (front) and Maxi Lopez

Warm up: Training: Milan's Kevin Prince Boateng (left), Pato (right front) and Maxi Lopez (right, rear)

Wenger, meanwhile, revealed he was hopeful over Jack Wilshere's recovery as the England midfielder battles to be fully fit from a niggling ankle problem which has sidelined him all season.

'His scan was good but patience will be needed as we have to be cautious with him,' the Arsenal manager said. 'His stress fracture is going well, as quickly as it can heal, but nature has its paces as we have to respect that.

'We have to be cautious with him and not rush him back this time.

'Wenger added: 'I know you want him for England, but I hope he can play a couple of games for us before the end of the season.'

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Tag Archives: allegri

No Milan move for Balotelli or Beckham as Rossoneri eye Kaka return

AC Milan deny Pep Guardiola talks

Euro 2012: How Pirlo became Italy"s most valuable player

Euro 2012: Italy"s Andrea Pirlo puts form down to Juventus move

Clarence Seedorf says farewell to AC Milan after a trophy-laden decade at the San Siro

Fabio Capello linked with AC Milan director of football role

Arsene Wenger must buy big, says Massimiliano Allegri

Arsenal can beat AC Milan and win Champions League – Arsene Wenger