[Tennie]

I'm sure our resident Croats and fans of the Croatian NT will know more details, but Napoli lost a friendly today to Hajduk Split. Result was 1-0 for the hosts and I think the Hajduk keeper saved a penalty.

Also in friendly news, the Zebras beat up on Serie C side Mezzocorona by a score of 7-1. Amauri scored 5 of the 7.

[Rossoneri7]

Serie A is shaping up to have a real interesting season.

There will be a real tussle up top; Milan, Fiorentina, Juventus, inter and Roma.

While it wont be just interesting up top, there will be a lot going on, down the ladder for a UEFA cup position; Napoli, Genoa, Sampdoria, Udinese, Atalanta and Palermo. The interesting thing here is that two historic teams in Serie A history, Genoa and Napoli finishing 10th and 8th respectively just fresh out of Serie B.



As for my predictions ... And considering there will be someone big coming in .. Milan will be champions with a significant points difference trailed by all of inter, Juventus and Fiorentina. I don't think Roma will finish in the top four this time around.

[Zed.D]

^^

Unfortunately Milan has not been a Serie A winning team in the past decade. 1 title in 9 seasons tells it all. Carlo, above all, is not a league coach like Capello. that's more than proven for me. in Parma, Juve, and Milan... he's almost always been the second best. but his record in Europe, we all know, is great.

[Rossoneri7]

Ancelotti: "Today Milan, in two years time I want the Nationale!"


(IMG:http://site.acmilanclub.com/newsimages/10002/8213_big.jpg)


One of the most sought after coaches in Europe today, Carlo Ancelotti, gave an interview to 'La Stampa' newspaper. He talked about the rossoneri and about his hope and desire for the future to coach the Italian National Team.



Q. Ancelotti, Milan will go back to training on Wednesday: after a lot of beautiful promises, from Ronaldinho to Adebayor, until now you haven't bought a lot.

Carlo: "If a club brings in a 24 year old Flamini, a national team player Zambrotta, the third top scorer of Serie A Borriello, you would say that it had done something. But as it seems, Milan never does enough for you."


Q. The fans are very disappointed.

Carlo: "They are awaiting a big surprise after a not so great season. But we have to also keep an eye on the budget. Prices have shot up dramatically. When you have the rights to broadcast, and when the stadiums are privately owned, and when the mercato gets over these crazy price hikes, then you will get a good mercato, and if not then there wont be much movement in the mercato."


Q. Within a week, do you expect having Ronaldinho in Milan ?

Carlo: "If the price is right, since we have been on his trail for months."


Q. But in the night of the elections, it seemed as if he was already yours, was that a trap ?

Carlo: "Berlusconi clearly is above all this, that is for sure. Now we have to see if we can close the deal, and on which grounds."


Q. If you don't get a good forward, will you take the chance with the same front line as last season ?

Carlo: "We will have Pato from the start till the end, unlike last season where I only had two strikers from the start till December. And Inzaghi wasn't in his usual shape."


Q. Gilardino, would you consider him as a flop ?

Carlo: "Yes, a little bit. There was something negative going on, as he wasn't playing to his full potential. He could have done more!"


Q. Where did he go wrong ?

Carlo: "Technically he can't do well when he is paired up with another striker, and he needs to be the focus point of the attacking unit as a whole, and it is an impossibility for that to happen in Milan with players as versatile as Kaka' and Seedorf. Prandelli on the other hand will be able to get the most out of him by playing him the way he likes. I can also add that he was suffering from a lot of hatred in the San Siro. He is a sensitive lad: which is not something to look down upon, on the contrary it is a complement for someone to have such characteristics, but considering the experience he had he needs to learn how to be stronger a bit."


Q. With 26 years, can he possibly have gained the experience ?

Carlo: "In other countries, young players without experience seem to be doing fine. But the problem with our Italian football is that the new talents, when they first start to show up, they get a lot of pressure in return and they suffer. Take Paloschi as an example: He is very good, but to maintain a consistent level he needs a lot of time."


Q. He still would need for time, and his coach's courage.

Carlo: "The only courage I will have with the young players, will be when I pull out Pato. He is unreal!"


Q. Berlusconi, does he talk to you when Milan isn't doing so well ?

Carlo: "Galliani follows everything, while the boss I only talk to him a little."


Q. Seriouslly speaking Ancelotti: doesn't he give orders to anyone ?

Carlo: "Orders ?! No, I have never dealt with something of the sorts."


Q. If things don't go well with Lippi with the Nationale, after 7 years with Milan hasn't the time come ?

Carlo: "Maybe, but Milan is more of a home than a club, and one solid family, always when faced with difficulties I feel the love and the great respect which binds us. I have not gotten tiered nor am I bored. The motivation here isn't little, on the contrary they are very much evident, and we will prove that we are the team that never bows down!"


Q. How close were you in to Chelsea ?

Carlo: "Maybe I wanted that, but when Milan assured me that my place is safe I didn't even think twice."


Q. And the meeting with Abramovic in Paris, was Spaletti also there ?

Carlo: "Fabrication."


Q. It isn't right for you to lie, especially considering you are 50.

Carlo: "(laughs) I am trying to get close to this target but I am not suffering from my age. In my opinion age takes its natural trait and that is enough."


Q. In 2000, you said you would consider retiring soon.

Carlo: "That is true, but football still thrills me. The EURO tournament was filled with tension, motivation, and inspiration. I didn't get private tickets, but I followed the games like any fan would, even the Checz game: it was a beautiful experience, I witnessed passion and thrills."


Q. Are you aware that Aragonis at 70, went to train in Istanbul ?

Carlo: "I think that the money is there. That is also a factor for me, but the situation is different: I can coach Milan for less than I currently am paid. But I would have to say then and there, that I wouldn't be that interesting for them."


Q. And above that, what Mourinho gets from inter ..

Carlo: "Mourinho has the personality and the charisma. But I am not sure if the interistas will enjoy his style of play, which is always a more of a hands on approach than an entertaining display. But from my perspective, I don't think he can top anything Mancini did, maybe in Europe .."


Q. Were you surprised when you heard about Mancini ?

Carlo: "I was surprised, only from the way he was treated: there wasn't any contact between us, in Milan it is very difficult for such a treatment to occur."


Q. inter will change it's way of play ?

Carlo: "They don't have a true midfield general, except for cambiasso who most of the time isn't in the higher part of the pitch. He plays with his physical build and I expect him to continue playing that way. And I don't consider him weak, but he could suffer  with the toughest and fiercest teams."


Q. And in other team, you also have Juve ?

Carlo: "I liked Amauri a lot. The main focus here is if Juve get Xabi Alonso or not: there are no two midfield generals better than him, he can take the game play one level up. But Ranieri wont be able to enjoy white weeks (white weeks ?! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) ) after that."


Q. Without the Champions League, what will change ?

Carlo: "It wont be the way we play, we remain faithful with the way we play. There will be little changes with preparation, but we wont be like those who will show so much attention to the Champions and then look the other way once they are out. It hurts me a lot that we wont be in the Champions League, but on the other hand we are faced with a tournament which we have not won in the history of this club and we want to achieve that this year. The final will be in Istanbul: There isn't a saying that says going back to the same place makes you better, but I want to get some images out of my head!"


Q. If I told the people after two years you will coach the Nationale, will they call me mad ?

Carlo: "I wont exclude that, if Lippi was no longer coach. I think that the time has finally come for me to take the reigns of the Nationale, because I have gained a lot of experience: It would please me a lot to take the Nationale before such an important tournament. Even in Africa, why not ? It would be a beautiful thing, with our young players taking the field."

La Stampa

[acid911]

Holy whiz! Gee, R7 you got yourself a new battery or something? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) You're on fire, lately, first with the Kaka interview and now this! Considering most of the media is fixed on the transfer market, it's quite refreshing to read interviews and insights such as these. Having said that, this one too is a very good interview. Ancelotti raised some very good points, though he's his usual diplomatic self. Liked his quib about Instabul a lot.

And before I forget, thanks for the great work. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[Habitant]

Serie A is shaping up to have a real interesting season.

There will be a real tussle up top; Milan, Fiorentina, Juventus, inter and Roma.

While it wont be just interesting up top, there will be a lot going on, down the ladder for a UEFA cup position; Napoli, Genoa, Sampdoria, Udinese, Atalanta and Palermo. The interesting thing here is that two historic teams in Serie A history, Genoa and Napoli finishing 10th and 8th respectively just fresh out of Serie B.
As for my predictions ... And considering there will be someone big coming in .. Milan will be champions with a significant points difference trailed by all of inter, Juventus and Fiorentina. I don't think Roma will finish in the top four this time around.

so i'm assuming your assertion is based on pure fantasy? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[acid911]

so i'm assuming your assertion is based on pure fantasy?

Or maybe undying love for the club? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Either way, we can do that only if we sign some players of the caliber of R10, Bezama, Gomez, or Drogba. The base is still there (Kaka, Pirlo, Nesta, Zamborghini, and of course Paolo), we've just got to build on it by injecting some new players. Lots of new players, now that I think of it.

Can't see us at the top, otherwise. Seriously. 3-4 at max with the current squad.

[Habitant]

Or maybe undying love for the club? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Either way, we can do that only if we sign some players of the caliber of R10, Bezama, Gomez, or Drogba. The base is still there (Kaka, Pirlo, Nesta, Zamborghini, and of course Paolo), we've just got to build on it by injecting some new players. Lots of new players, now that I think of it.

Can't see us at the top, otherwise. Seriously. 3-4 at max with the current squad.

yep but if you let it get in the way that much ur opinion means *****.

you can never just look at a squad on paper and evaluate them that way, because the same can easily be said about inter. they just added mancini who will fit in well there and their system.

the current squad has shown it's run out of juice, add zambrotta and a couple of other plugs and suddenly we make up the 21 pt gap plus more, come on very credible (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Naughty term removed.

This post has been edited by Habitant: Jul 12 2008, 12:48 AM

[acid911]

yep but if you let it get in the way that much ur opinion means sh7t€.

you can never just look at a squad on paper and evaluate them that way, because the same can easily be said about inter. they just added mancini who will fit in well there and their system.

the current squad has shown it's run out of juice, add zambrotta and a couple of other plugs and suddenly we make up the 21 pt game plus more, come on very credible

You are right, we'll need more than plain band aids, to make it back up to the top. It will take more than one season, and it will take someone with infinitely more brain cells than Galliani has between his ears. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) In simpler words, it will be a gradual process - one that takes both time, energy, planning and most of all money.

Then again, we can't use last year's result as a basis for analysis. The last 2-3 seasons have been absolute shtick, some with things beyond the management's control. Had we had Ronaldo fit and firing for the whole season last year, we'd have finished first. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) No two words about that. Had Pato been born a week earlier, then too, a team like Viola wound't have stood a chance at being fourth. If Carlo wasn't one of the most stubborn coaches in world football, then too, we'd have been safe. Remember the whole bunch of points we dropped against smaller teams. Or what if Gorcuff was bred the way he should have been, so as to help our creativity? Or Kaka not being on the hit list because he won the Golden Ball? Pirlo missing that last minute penalty? How on world did he do that? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) We lost 3-2. Heck, even if Pirlo and Gattuso had gotten back their form through the middle of the season, you and I wouldn't even be discussing this.

Then again, these are all ifs and butts. Point is, the 21-point gap isn't what it seems like. A lot of factors went into it, including the fans, the management, the coach, the team, Mr. B, the media, in no particular order. Granted our squad needs changes - that's for everyone to see - and I have no doubt in my mind if they are done, no one can touch us this year. The keyword is changes - how and when we do that is what counts. Get someone like Adebayor, then don't expect anything. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/puke.gif) Carefully select the right players, mix them up with the current squad, and we'll be back to the very best. We aren't the first ranked club the the world for diddlydum! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Afterall, we still have the best XI in world football - no one else comes close:

Dida
Zamborghini, Nesta, Paolo, Oddo,
Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf,
Kaka, Ronaldo, Pato

It's the bench that suffers. Remember what happened to Napoli 5-2. That was when we were playing total attacking football, with someone like Ronaldo leading the attack. Sadly for KaPaRo, it lasted a whole of one match. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) How about the last inter derby, which we won? Seedorf, Gattuso and Kaka were really something in that match. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) Or those 5 goal combos in those away matches? Can't forget that, last year. But for some weired reason we couldn't and didn't sustain that. Pity.

Now am I as optimistic as R7. Goodness no, sunshine! But even I can see everything takes time, as long as you're on it. Build another winning squad by 2010. But for Pete's sake, start now. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) As in today!

[kurtsimonw]

Great post, and I agree with most of it.

One thing I disagree with it this: Time. The teams at the very top should never need to rebuild if they're being run properly, it's a gradual process between generations. I think this is the only thing we've lacked recently, we've just not really prepared for life after these players, and we're suffering. Of course there has to be a reason for this, whether it be Carlo's stubborness to change the team or the higher ups not having/wanting to spend the money, we'll never know!

[Rossoneri7]

Bonera: "Maldini is my idol, and I am very eager to restart"


(IMG:http://site.acmilanclub.com/newsimages/10002/bonera-redfox.jpg)



Less than a week before the players regroup at Milanello to start preparing for the season ahead after a vacation since last may, Daniel Bonera had stressed about his desire to restart the season.


The Italian defender talked via telephone to Milan Channel, he is still in Greece spending his last days of vacation with his family: "I have gotten the chance to recharge my batteries in this vacation and I am ready to work again with the same desire to to be at top condition."

He added: "I have a big desire in starting again. I will be available to the club, the coach and the team which I have been a supporter of since childhood. And that I am a part of Milan fills me with a lot of pride and satisfaction."

Bonera claimed that he was happy to be with Maldini again, who will continue for yet again another season: "He comes first as he is the heart of our team, he is my idol and the idol of everyone in Milan with the love and continues support he shows everyday to this club."

And Bonera talked about Milan's latest acquisitions of Cristian Abiatti and Gianluca Zambrotta: "Zambrotta's deal is great, as he always showed positiveness on the field with his previous teams and the national team. In addition, he is able to cover more than one position and is always a great addition to the team with his abilities. While Abiatti gave a good season in Spain, he is good and will come to cover the Goalkeeping position, which already was a highly competitive position even before he came."

Milanchannel

[acid911]

Great post, and I agree with most of it.

One thing I disagree with it this: Time. The teams at the very top should never need to rebuild if they're being run properly, it's a gradual process between generations. I think this is the only thing we've lacked recently, we've just not really prepared for life after these players, and we're suffering. Of course there has to be a reason for this, whether it be Carlo's stubborness to change the team or the higher ups not having/wanting to spend the money, we'll never know!

All of it, please. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) There can't be one reason for the kind of mess we're in. And yes, completely agree with you with regards to time. A top team should never have to go through this. There are cycles of success, yes, to an extent. Eras, if you will. But there has to be at least one world class signing, plus two regular signings every summer if you want to stay at the top. Instead we got people like Brocchi, Oliveria, and friends, who were not necessarily bad, but nor were they world beaters. In the midst of all this, we let pass people like Ribery, Ibra, etc.

We were in this mess in 1999 when we didn't qualify for the CL. An era came to and end then, and another began with the likes of Dida, Kaladze, Nesta, Sheva, Kaka, Rui Costa, et all. It's a shame we didn't learn from that, and dragged ourselves into the same fuss again now. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) First Sheva leaving, then some bad signings, and then no signings at all. Like you said, Kurt, we'll never know the real reasons behind it, and that's a shame.

[kurtsimonw]

All of it, please. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) There can't be one reason for the kind of mess we're in. And yes, completely agree with you with regards to time. A top team should never have to go through this. There are cycles of success, yes, to an extent. Eras, if you will. But there has to be at least one world class signing, plus two regular signings every summer if you want to stay at the top. Instead we got people like Brocchi, Oliveria, and friends, who were not necessarily bad, but nor were they world beaters. In the midst of all this, we let pass people like Ribery, Ibra, etc.

We were in this mess in 1999 when we didn't qualify for the CL. An era came to and end then, and another began with the likes of Dida, Kaladze, Nesta, Sheva, Kaka, Rui Costa, et all. It's a shame we didn't learn from that, and dragged ourselves into the same fuss again now. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) First Sheva leaving, then some bad signings, and then no signings at all. Like you said, Kurt, we'll never know the real reasons behind it, and that's a shame.

Then hopefully we learn from it next time. When the likes of Ambro, Pirlo, Rino, Seedorf, Oddo, Zambrotta all go, hopefully we'll have ready made replacements to make it feel as there is no change at all.

[acid911]

Then hopefully we learn from it next time. When the likes of Ambro, Pirlo, Rino, Seedorf, Oddo, Zambrotta all go, hopefully we'll have ready made replacements to make it feel as there is no change at all.

I wouldn't bet on it, as long as the man in my signature leads the club. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Bring on Leonardo.

[han2503]

At last Mancini going to be a Merda player! http://inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=29506&L=en

Don't understand why Roma keep selling their best players to their direct competitors, making Inter stronger while they get weeker doesn't seem very wise to me. First Chivu now Mancini...

This post has been edited by han2503: Jul 12 2008, 12:19 PM