Well, I'm going to be the loyal opposition on this one. First off, it's TUTTOSPORT that goal is getting the article from. Tuttosport is not exactly known for being accurate with regard to Milan news (with Gobbi news, they're quite accurate, being based in Turin as they are).

Secondly, I'm going to point out Ancelotti's interview of the other day in which Carletto said that the one thing Ronaldinho needed to do was train. Then there are the various references that Leonardo has made so far this season saying, politely, that Ronaldinho needs to train (and implying that he, well, isn't taking it seriously, at least in the original).

Finally, I'm going to point out that Ronaldinho is in the same boat as the rest of the team and he gets a little slack here -- conditioning seems to be a general problem for all of Milan's players and for that they can't be blamed directly. If a lot of players on a squad look to be out of shape, it's not their fault. It's on the coach. (I'm watching Ireland-italy right now and think that while he's more effective further up the park, Pirlo looks about ready to pass out from the running. Datasport noted he looked out of shape in the player ratings. Zambrotta also isn't exactly charging up and down the flanks. Gattuso? Didn't play at all.)

zeddie, it's the coach who sets the training. It's his JOB to make sure the players are match fit. He's supposed to make sure that the fitness coaches - who report to him - are doing their jobs. I don't think you can let Leo off the hook on this one. It's a general thing for pretty much the entire team.

I think it's an issue this season because, well, the team is crappier than usual and because at least to my eyes they really do look out of phyiscal condition. Age and stamina is one thing, being out of shape is something different. They looked - in general terms - out of shape to me when I was at the San Siro for Milan-Bari. that's why I keep pounding on it. It was that noticeable, even among the younger players on the squad like Abate for example. He got owned on the flank for much of the game and while some of it can be down to not being an experienced RB, it just looked like the Bari guy was in better shape.

Can you really blame leo? No he hasn't a clue. But who I do blame is, Galli and Tassotti who been absent this season. Those 2 are labeled in top 30 or so in the world and they haven't helped this team at all.

This makes me thing how much Carlo actually did for this team that we are falling apart this bad. Carlo was so good for us that its now almost impossible to replace the giant crater he left behind.

During the pre-season, Mourinho put on the club website detailed reports on the team training. The reports were filled with formal vocabulary, as, for instance, he referred to a 20 km jog as an extended aerobic exercise. While they attracted some scorn for the pretentiousness, others praised the innovation and the application of a more scientific approach to the training methods practised in Portugal. One of the key aspects in Mourinho-era Porto was the pressuring play, which started at the offensive line, dubbed pressão alta ("high pressure"). The physical and combative abilities of defenders and midfielders such as Derlei, Maniche and Deco allowed Porto to apply pressure from the offensive lines and forced opponents either to concede the ball or try longer, uncertain passes.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Soho, you're trying to seduce me aren't you??!!!

Just a clarification about Mourinho. I found this on his wiki page.



Perhaps he has changed his training plan a bit post Porto...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) We used to counter as a team. Back then we had fullbacks, and Sheva and Pippo and Kaka. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

RONALDINHO'S GOLDEN FOOTPRINT
10/12/2009 8:30:00 PM
Montecarlo called and Ronaldinho responded: the Rossoneri champion is the winner of the Golden Foot 2009 and left his footprint on the Champions Promenade. Compliments Gaucho!

MILAN - The splendid Champions Promenade near the Monaco beaches 'called' Ronaldinho and he responded. The Brazilian champion, in fact, is the winner of the Golden Foot 2009. The Gaucho was rewarded today during the ceremony held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Ronaldinho left his footprint on the Champions Promenade of Montecarlo. Tonight the Brazilian playmaker will be the guest of honor of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Ronaldinho thereby earned a place in the Hollywood-style Walk of Fame at Monaco thanks to the votes of his fans. The famous road, which attracts tourists from all over the world, near the Grimaldi Forum and the beaches of Monaco, is constellated with the footprints of history's champions and from this year, there will also be the indelible 'signature' of Milan's number 80.

The Gaucho beat the competition of nine other champions: competing with Ronaldinho were also Juventus players Buffon and Trezeguet, David Beckham, who was a Rossonero from January to June, Figo, Gerrard, Giggs, Henry, Raul, and Roma captain Francesco Totti.

The Golden Foot, prestigious international prize destined to footballers of at least 29 years of age who have distinguished themselves both as players and as symbols of their teams, has become a fixed appointment of the summer football agenda. The title is assigned annually on the basis of votes from the public, who can choose between ten candidates chosen by a jury composed of journalists from all over the world. The votes are made on the official website of the event.

Many world-class players have already had the honor of leaving their footprint and in particular Milan remember Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian is part of a gallery of exceptional number ones, including Roberto Baggio, George Best, Gianni Rivera, Ronaldo, George Weah, Dino Zoff (who, as a goalkeeper, left his handprint). The last editions were won by Alessandro Del Piero (2007) and Roberto Carlos (2008).

I think it's an issue this season because, well, the team is crappier than usual and because at least to my eyes they really do look out of phyiscal condition. Age and stamina is one thing, being out of shape is something different. They looked - in general terms - out of shape to me when I was at the San Siro for Milan-Bari. that's why I keep pounding on it. It was that noticeable, even among the younger players on the squad like Abate for example. He got owned on the flank for much of the game and while some of it can be down to not being an experienced RB, it just looked like the Bari guy was in better shape.

I think the golden turd award would be more apt for him after witnessing his 'performances' playing for us.