[Jack Sparrow]

Kaka Ready To Renew Milan Contract


Milan superstar Kaka has put any doubts over his future to bed by declaring that he is ready to sign a new deal with the club.


The 25-year-old has continuously been linked with a move to Real Madrid for almost two years now and he raised eyebrows earlier today when he said that players would start to leave Italy if all the football violence among supporters didn’t stop. 

“For the moment Real Madrid is closed for me,” Kaka told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“If Milan want to keep me, then I am ready to renew my current deal. This way nobody can have any more doubts over my future.” 

Kaka also spoke about the imminent return of Ronaldo, as well as young sensation Alexandre Pato, who is eligible to play from January onwards. 

“Ronaldo will be a help for us, while Pato is raw and will certainly entertain. He could become our Lionel Messi, however I don’t want to put too much responsibility on him.”  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Finally Kaka spoke about Milan legend Marco Van Basten. The Dutchman has recently been likened to current Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for their similarity in style, but Kaka is perplexed by the comparison. 

“Ibra is a champion, however I cannot understand why he has been compared to Van Basten,” said Kaka. 

“They are two completely different attackers. Van Basten would never have unloaded the bomb that Ibra did in his last Champions League [against CSKA Moscow].” 

I didn't see this match. What does he mean when he says 'unloaded that bomb'?

I Have The Quality To Play With Milan - Oliveira

Milan-owned striker Ricardo Oliveira, currently on loan at Real Zaragoza where he has made a good start to the season, claims he still has what it takes to play with the Rossoneri.


The Brazilian striker's strong start in La Liga with Real Zaragoza, where he scored 5 goals in 12 appearences, is giving him renewed confidence after his nightmare season with the Rossoneri.

"Everything can happen, I still have three years on my contract with Milan," he said, "I'm convinced I have the technical qualities to play there.

"I want to do my job well here, take advantage of all chances I get to play and feel important again after the difficult year I went through."

Oliveira revealed that a big reason for his struggles at Milan was the kidnapping of his sister which occurred in October 2006: "The kidnapping, which came at a moment where I was doing well, really conditioned my performances.

"I did not have a clear head and this prevented me from giving my best. Without that problem, I'm not sure I wouldn't have played, despite the competition from champions like [Filippo] Inzaghi, [Alberto] Gilardino, and Ronaldo," he continued.

"I've won a lot in Brazil as well as in Europe, with the Selecao and Milan, even though I can't say I won the Champions League as a protagonist. But overall I can't complain."  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Maldini: World Club Cup Is My World Cup

Milan captain Paolo Maldini is desperate to win next month’s FIFA World Club Cup and describes it as his version of the World Cup.


The World Club Cup, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, is contested between the champion clubs from all of the continental confederations. 

Milan qualified courtesy of their 2-1 European Champions League final victory over Liverpool last May, and go into the tournament as the hot favourites. 

Maldini has won virtually every domestic, European and international club trophy on offer during a glittering 23-year career, however he sadly never won anything with the Italian national team and had already retired from the Azzurri when they won the World Cup last summer.

“I have no regrets about the World Cup in Germany as I had already been out of the reckoning for four years,” said the legend. “However the pain of defeat in 1990 and 1994 still burns inside of me. 

“Now I think only about Milan and the World Club Cup. It is a unique competition and I want to win it at all costs having lost the last three editions of it that I played in. 

“It is an opportunity that must not escape – it is the greatest club event out there.”

[Jack Sparrow]

Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has praised the older members of the Milan team, following yesterday’s win over Celtic.


The Rossoneri ensured top spot in Champions League Group D with a 1-0 win at San Siro.

The 34-year-old Filippo Inzaghi scored the winner to become the top scorer of all time in UEFA competition.

SuperPippo swept the ball home from close range after a cut-back from the 37-year-old Cafu, who was probably Milan’s best player on the night.

“I have been at this club for 21 years at international level and that time has taught me something – the veterans don’t feel the pressure,” explained Galliani.

“Cafu has played more games than Pele. The fact he hasn’t taken part in every match means he has been ready for the top level ties. Favalli is a professor, he really knows how to place a pass. I love these players.”

Galliani was pleased that Milan didn’t just settle for the point they needed to finish top.

“I am happy that we knocked back that cliché of Italian teams who quite happily play for a draw,” smiled the Vice-President.

“We created many scoring opportunities and won deservedly. It is a good thing that honours the sport. We did our duty and nobody can complain.”

I knew there was something about Favalinho. I'm sure he'll turn out to be a great coach. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

There's also an article on Inzaghi
Inzaghi Article

Once again, the comments at the bottom piss me off. You even have two 'milan fans' arguing over whether Sheva or Inzaghi is better!!! Geez...would you rather have your arms or your legs? For heaven's sake, you'd think people know a little more football, than to compare Pippo and Sheva. They've even thrown in RvN into it. Typical Madrid fans. They find one article on a player, and they'll come up with a comment saying how a player on their team is better. And then they'll wind up saying the Rossoneri fans are snobs. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Pot calling the kettle black I'd say!!

World Cup-winning former Italy national boss Marcello Lippi has re-iterated that he will return to management next season

The Viareggio-born tactician has been out of the game since stepping down as coach of Azzurri following last summer’s World Cup success in Germany.

Despite numerous offers to return to the bench, including an ambitious bid from Premiership minnows Birmingham City just a few weeks ago, Lippi has so far rejected all overtures.

A few days ago the 59-year-old declared that he would take charge of a team for the 2008/09 campaign.

“Next year I will return to the bench. That is 100 per cent,” Lippi stated.

The Paul Newman look-alike has now re-iterated this stance in an interview with
Primocanale.

“I want to get back to work,” Lippi confirmed. “I will only return at the start of a season because if you pick up a side half-way through it shows that they have problems.”

Lippi is one of the most successful coaches of the modern era having won five Italian championships during two spells at Juventus.

With the Bianconeri he also won a Champions League title, an Intercontinental Cup, a Coppa Italia, and a European Supercup.

He also finished as a runner-up in the Champions League on three occasions in 1997, 1998 and 2003, as well as losing a Uefa Cup final in 1995.

Which club would have him? Besides Madrid and Birmingham of course. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) If Inter don't win the CL this season, will they fire Mancini? And how many of us here prefer Lippi to Mourinho? Just asking. I know we'd all lie down in traffic for Carletto! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)


I saved funniest for last

Juventus are lining up a bid for unsettled Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, according to Tuttosport.

The Ukrainian star signed for the Blues last summer after a hugely successful seven-year spell with AC Milan.

However Shevchenko has badly failed to live up to the standard he set himself in Italy, and has been a pale shadow of the once great player.

He has scored just five league goals since arriving at the club, with only one of those coming this season.

Since Avram Grant took over as Chelsea manager, Shevchenko has barely featured, and many expect the 31-year-old to be transferred in January.

Tuttosport is claiming that Juventus want to take Sheva on a six-month loan deal in January, with the option of making the move permanent in the summer.

The Bianconeri still have a non-EU place available in their squad, and Chelsea would help pay the forward’s astronomical wages.

Shevchenko is still highly-rated in Italy and both Milan and Inter have also been linked with the player recently.

However Rossoneri Vice-President Adriano Galliani has now ruled his club out of the running by saying that their non-EU spot in the squad will be taken by Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato.

“We cannot take him, as we only have one place for a non-EU player and that will go to Alexandre Pato in January,” he said.

“He is the one who wanted to leave and we didn’t sell him willingly. He knew what it was like here, but when you change clubs it is all starting from scratch. Transfers are always dangerous.”

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Somewhere, an Israeli psychologist is shedding tears. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[misha]

^^^ (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Nope. I didn't wanted his move back in the first place. This is all BS rumors just like last year. And Tuttosport is dreaming (what would you expect from a Juve's tabloid).

“I have been at this club for 21 years at international level and that time has taught me something – the veterans don’t feel the pressure,” explained Galliani.

They don't 'feel' motivation in the league either. It works both ways.