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Mario Balotelli has one last blast at Manchester in his first AC Milan press conference

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One last blast: Mario moans about the food, the traffic and the weather in Manchester, but admits he will miss the best league in the world and the fans

By
David Kent

PUBLISHED:

19:37 GMT, 1 February 2013

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UPDATED:

19:48 GMT, 1 February 2013

Mario Balotelli couldn’t resist one last blast at life in Manchester as he became officially an AC Milan player last night.

The 22-year-old wild child who never settled at City thanked Roberto Mancini for all his support during two and a half turbulent seasons.

But he then insisted he had no regrets at ending his adventure in England.

Star man: Mario Balotelli (pictured) poses with the shirt of his new club

One last blast: Mario Balotelli (pictured) poses with the shirt of his new club, after having a go at the food, weather and traffic found in Manchester

Candid: Balotelli sits next AC Milan sporting director Adriano Galliani at the press conference

Candid: Balotelli sits next AC Milan sporting director Adriano Galliani at the press conference

He said: ‘I have no regrets about leaving. I have to say this all the City fans were so nice to me and supported me in the bad moments, and I would like to thank Roberto Mancini for all the support he gave me.

‘I will miss the Premier League which I think is the best in the world, and the crowds at games.

‘But I am not going to miss the food, the weather, and the traffic and everything else.’

Balotelli scores in his behind-closed-doors friendly with Serie D side Darfo Boario

Balotelli scores in a friendly with Serie D side Darfo Boario earlier this week…

...and tries a trick in training

…and tries a trick in training

Hordes of Milan fans descended on the San Siro to welcome his arrival at the club he supported.

Asked if it would be pressure to join the club, he said: ‘There is no weight on me to play for Milan, I am happy, I want to be part of the team, and I am here to win.

‘I am back here and it has always been my dream to play for Milan.

‘It is important for me to be here where I can be near to my friends and family.’

Balotelli is in line to make his debut at home to Udinese tomorrow night – due to be shown live in England on ESPN.

Mohawks: Balotelli M'Baye Niang (left) and Stephan El Shaarawy (right) pose with their almost-matching haircuts

Mohawks: Balotelli M'Baye Niang (left) and Stephan El Shaarawy (right) pose with their almost-matching haircuts

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

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

By
Peter Scott

PUBLISHED:

18:42 GMT, 19 January 2013

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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

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

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.'

QPR star Adel Taarabt claims his agent is in talks with AC Milan over possible move

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QPR star Taarabt says he is in talks with AC Milan… and could use move as stepping stone for Real or Barca

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UPDATED:

08:48 GMT, 25 December 2012

QPR playmaker Adel Taarabt claims he is in talks with AC Milan over a possible move to the San Siro.

The Moroccan star says his agent is in talks with Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani and that Milan could tempt him to turn down any potential advances from a top Premier League club or Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Taarabt played a key role for struggling QPR in their first Premier League win of the season against Fulham earlier this month when he scored both goals, and his performances have lead to speculation that he could leave the struggling club.

Heading to Italy Adel Taarabt claims his agent is talking to AC Milan

Heading to Italy Adel Taarabt claims his agent is talking to AC Milan

Taarabt told Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘I would only refuse offers from the big English clubs if Milan made me an offer.

‘My agent is in talks with Galliani, but it depends on what happens with Robinho and [reported AC Milan target Javier] Pastore.

Star performer: Taarabt has been in good form for struggling QPR

Star performer: Taarabt has been in good form for struggling QPR

‘Milan aren’t going through a glorious period now, and they’re no longer a part of the top clubs.

‘However, if I joined Milan then it would open up the doors for me to great clubs like Real Madrid and Barca.’

And Taarabt believe he could be a success with the Italian giants – just like his friend and former Tottenham team-mate Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Milan man: Taarabt says the success of Kevin Prince Boateng at Milan makes him believe he can do well there

Milan man: Taarabt says the success of Kevin Prince Boateng at Milan makes him believe he can do well there

Both players struggled to make an impact on the first team at White Hart Lane before being sold and Taarabt added: ‘My friend Boateng is also at Milan. When we were at Tottenham he was often in the stands, so I think that I have a chance too.’

Mario Balotelli wanted by AC Milan for 20m… but Roberto Mancini wants him to stay at Manchester City

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AC Milan plan 20m swoop for Mario… but City and Mancini are on a collision course if Balotelli returns to Italy

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UPDATED:

01:12 GMT, 23 December 2012

Italian giants AC Milan claim they are lining up a 20million bid to sign striker Mario Balotelli in next month’s transfer window — against the wishes of Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

Interim president Adriano Galliani has been ordered by Milan owner and Balotelli fan, Silvio Berlusconi, to take the former Inter Milan star back to San Siro and he plans to negotiate directly with City’s Abu Dhabi owners and the player’s agent, Mino Raiola.

That leaves Mancini out in the cold after he has repeatedly stated that he wants the troubled striker to stay in England.

Out and about: Mario Balotelli was spotted in a petrol station in Alderley Edge 20 minutes before Manchester City kicked off against Reading

Out and about: Mario Balotelli was spotted in a petrol station in Alderley Edge 20 minutes before Manchester City kicked off against Reading

Balotelli missed City’s 1-0 win over Reading and Mancini said: ‘Mario is ill. I don’t know where he is now. For one week he’s been ill. He came to the training ground yesterday because he wants to train but he can’t. But I can’t [shut] him in his house. It’s impossible.’

The final decision on Balotelli’s future could prove crucial to the long-term relationship between Mancini and his bosses, City owner Sheik Mansour and chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak.

The Italian manager wants to give Balotelli another chance to succeed at City after the player accepted a two-week fine worth 330,000 for his poor disciplinary record on the pitch last season.

Tempestuous relationship: Mario Balotelli storms off after being substituted by Roberto Mancini against Manchester United

Tempestuous relationship: Balotelli storms off after being substituted by Roberto Mancini against Manchester United

But City’s hierarchy feel the wayward 22-year-old is more trouble than he is worth following a series of indiscretions and are happy to encourage Milan’s interest.

For their part, the Italian club — who face Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League — are close to offloading Brazil strikers Robinho and Alexandre Pato in January to finance a 20m cash bid for Balotelli.

Robinho is wanted by former club Santos and Pato by world champion club side Corinthians.

Surplus to requirements: Robinho (left) and Alexandre Pato will be sold for AC Milan to acquire a transfer kitty for Balotelli

Up for grabs: Pato

Surplus to requirements: Robinho (left) and Alexandre Pato will be sold for AC Milan to acquire a transfer kitty for Balotelli

Milan are convinced they will land Balotelli, who is a national hero in Italy after top-scoring at Euro 2012 when his country unexpectedly reached the final.

A senior source at San Siro said: ‘Mancini will not be involved so it doesn’t matter what he thinks. The negotiations are going to take place between Abu Dhabi and Galliani, and they will include Balotelli’s agent who is very close to Galliani.’

But it would be a big call to overrule Mancini, who believes Balotelli can develop into one of the world’s best players and he said: ‘I’m his manager and if he deserves other chances he will have them.’

Keeping the faith: Mancini believes Balotelli can harness his potential to become one of the world's best

Keeping the faith: Mancini believes Balotelli can harness his potential to become one of the world's best

Having won the FA Cup and Premier League, Mancini should survive in the hot seat despite failing to reach the Champions League’s knockout stage.

However, there are tensions behind the scenes. Although Mancini is happy to have seen Brian Marwood lose control of transfers as technical director, he is aware that Marwood’s replacement, Txiki Begiristain, and new chief executive Ferran Soriano aim to overhaul training methods.

They want to prioritise signing the best 12-and 13-year-olds in Europe and coach them to play Barcelona-style football while the manager wants ready-made players so City can challenge in Europe immediately.

A compromise could be reached, with Begiristain now in South America trying to sign Paulinho from Corinthians. They also have ambitions of signing Neymar, of Santos.

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

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How Pirlo became Italy's most valuable renaissance figure…

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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

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

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

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

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ReJUVEnated: Pirlo's Italian renaissance down to Turin switch

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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.

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 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

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

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

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.’

AC Milan reject PSG Thiago Silva bid

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Milan reject 37.5m bid from PSG for superstar defender Thiago Silva

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UPDATED:

09:07 GMT, 15 June 2012

AC Milan have turned down an offer of nearly 46million euros (37.5m) from Paris St Germain for coveted defender Thiago Silva.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has been locked in talks this week with PSG executives regarding the possible sale of the Brazil international to the Ligue 1 side.

However, club owner Silvio Berlusconi confirmed that Milan have rebuffed an 'extraordinary' offer from the French club and insisted Silva will remain at the San Siro next season.

No dice: Thiago Silva looks like he will be kept at Milan

No dice: Thiago Silva looks like he will be kept at Milan

'We have not changed our mind,' Berlusconi said to SportItalia. 'We had no intention of selling the player but we had received an extraordinary offer from PSG.

'We have always been clear and PSG should not feel let down.

'We told them from the start that we would take a decision once we had looked at the offer and seen what is out there in the market in terms of finding a possible replacement.

'They made us a very interesting offer, close to 46million euros.

'We considered the possibility (to sell) and we looked at the central defenders that would replace Thiago Silva but we haven't found an adequate player.

'The old heart of Silvio Berlusconi has allowed us to reject this offer.'

Silva joined AC Milan from Fluminense in December 2008 in a deal worth under 10million euros.

Best: AC Milan say Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) is the best striker around

Best: AC Milan say Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) is the best striker around

He is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2016.

Silva's agent Paolo Tonietto said yesterday that if the 27-year-old was to remain with the Italian club then he would expect Milan to offer him a new contract.

The South American reportedly gets four million euros per season, five million euros less than the club's highest-paid player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Milan are ready to placate him.

'Thiago Silva is a great man and we can find an easy solution,” Berlusconi said. 'We hope to have the best defence next season.'

Berlusconi also brushed aside reports that Ibrahimovic will move away from the San Siro this summer.

Ibrahimovic was linked with a move to PSG and Manchester City this summer.

'Regarding Ibra (Ibrahimovic), he will also remain because he is the best in his position,' Berlusconi said.

Roberto Mancini denies Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez AC Milan link

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Man City boss Mancini denies trying to offload Balotelli and Tevez to AC Milan

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UPDATED:

07:43 GMT, 23 May 2012

Manchester City have distanced themselves from reports in Italy of a swap deal involving Carlos Tevez or Mario Balotelli and AC Milan defender Thiago Silva.

These were sparked by a meeting between Mancini and Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani at the Italian club's headquarters on Monday.

Carlos Tevez

Mario Balotelli

All smiles: Tevez and Balotelli have been linked with a move to AC Milan

But it is believed the Barclays Premier League champions have little interest in Silva.

'It lasted 10 minutes and I certainly didn't make an offer for Thiago Silva,' said Mancini. 'Even less did I offer Balotelli or Tevez to Milan.'

Not interested: City have denied making a move for AC Milan star Silva

Not interested: City have denied making a move for AC Milan star Silva

Meanwhile, City have admitted defeat in their attempt to resurrect Owen Hargreaves' career after he was released at the end of a one-year contract after playing only 13 minutes of Premier League football.

In total, the injury-plagued former Manchester United and England midfielder made four appearances – just over two-and-a-half hours of action – following City's surprise move to sign him as a free agent last summer.

It was an improvement on Hargreaves' record in his last three years at Old Trafford that saw him play only six minutes of first-team football due to chronic knee problems.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has nothing to prove as AC Milan face Barcelona

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

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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

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

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

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

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.

Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano could reunited at AC Milan

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Together again Milan in summer plot to reunite pals Tevez and Mascherano

AC Milan are plotting to reunite Carlos Tevez with Javier Mascherano at the San Siro this summer.

Adriano Galliano, chief executive of the Serie A champions, is believed to have used his trip to London this week to find out if a summer move for Tevez was still on the cards.

Freinds reunited: AC Milan are keen to sign Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez

Freinds reunited: AC Milan are keen to sign Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez

While Milan looked blunt and vulnerable in their 3-0 Champions League defeat by Arsenal, Tevez made his second appearance in a Manchester City shirt since returning to the club for the reserves against Bolton.

Galliani pushed hard to sign Tevez in January until Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi pulled the plug on Alexandre Pato’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, which would have funded the deal with City.

With PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti confirming he will make another move for Pato in the summer, Berlusconi is dreaming of signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal.

Return: Tevez was in action for Manchester City reserves earlier this week

Held up: Mascherano played in Barcelona's thrashing over Bayer Leverkusen

In action: Tevez played for City's reserves on Tuesday as Mascherano (R) helped Barcelona destroy Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday

However, as competition is fierce for the Holland striker, 28-year-old Tevez is seen as a more realistic target.

Galliani is keen to build a close relationship with the Argentine’s adviser, Kia Joorabchian, and has also shown an interest in Mascherano.

Although Milan progressed to the Champions League quarter-final thanks to a 4-0 first leg win against Arsenal, the return match caused alarm within the San Siro hierarchy.

Double act: Tevez and Mascherano were paired up at West Ham in 2006

Double act: Tevez and Mascherano were paired up at West Ham in 2006

Tough-tackling midfielder Mascherano, 27, has failed to hold down a regular place since leaving Liverpool for Barcelona and is likely to consider a move at the end of the season.

Joorabchian was behind Tevez and Joorabchian joining Corinthians in 2004 and West Ham two years later.