Fishdoll gives Pola a fins up. Yep, Giornata (in this context) = Match day.

Thanks. Me and Pola will take up Italian classes next year together. And then Spanish. And German. And Portuguese. No French.

Not English?

I like to think both of us know English half-decently. Pola knows enough to look for Pola bear dates on Myspace. And I know enough to write (and layout) ebooks for clients. In English, of course. Still, if need arises, I might take advanced English lessons.

French will makes me look like a sissy (heartfelt apologies to any French fans here). Plus the fact that I don't particularly like French football team, is another reason. So it's a no-go. Yet. Maybe in the future. The other languages, I've always dreamed of learning.

I mean dang...Every milan game is gon be played on sunday...That ain't fair...

Some of them will probably be on Saturdays, Kenny. Two games each weekend are always played Saturday (one in afternoon and one in evening). There are also 3 midweek matchdays and the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia games.

So you're saying your Pola knows English? Get a circus and become rich.

French is easy to learn. I picked it up fairly quickly, not fluently, but enough to understand what people say saying/typing to some extent, and that was without really concentrating in French classes properly!

Ait...

He can only read. Anyhoo French is a good language to learn. It's always a plus if you know it. And it particularly helps in immigration to other countries. You know French, you get extra points.

Really? I took French for 5 years in secondary school and I barely know 4 words.

Maybe it's difference for each individual then. I found German very dificult so didn't continue it and chose French.

[P.S. What's the native language in Malta, English? ]

French is the only language I studied for more than 6 months (ended up taking it for 4 years). Enjoyed it for the most part, but I'm one of those strange people who actually likes Paris.

I find French too urm girlie. Italian sounds a lot like my native tongue. Even my mother sits and watches the old season Milan tapes I've got, and then breaks out into laughter hearing the commentary. In fact she watches it, just to hear the commentary.

She thinks football is violent though.

The fact that I didn't really pay attention in class might also be a factor in it...

It's Maltese, but the second language is English, it's a compulsary subject in school, so when you hit the age of 6 it starts to get drilled into your head

Milan - Bologna
Stadio Meazza

Milan and Bologna could hardly have more diverse aspirations but both sides will be determined to get off on the right foot at San Siro.

After last season’s disastrous fifth-placed finish, things had to change at Milan and change they have. The early signings of Gianluca Zambrotta and Mathieu Flamini were followed by Ronaldinho fever and a high-profile campaign was rounded off with the arrivals of Andriy Shevchenko and Philippe Senderos.

With the recruitment drive comes pressure and Vice-President Adriano Galliani has stressed that Carlo Ancelotti is expected to deliver the title. A confusing series of pre-season friendlies, including a 4-1 win over Juventus in the Trofeo Berlusconi and a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Chelsea, have given no indication of just how strong the new Milan side is but there will be a frenzied atmosphere of expectation on opening day.

Newly promoted Bologna clinched second place in Serie B on the final day of last season to end three years of frustration since the relegation play-off defeat in 2004-05 that began their top-flight exile. Coach Daniele Arrigoni has built a solid, rather than spectacular side, whose success last term was based on a miserly defence.

Marco Di Vaio is the big-name striking addition but the midfield will be uncompromising and resilient with ex-Sampdoria veteran Sergio Volpi and Brazilian enforcer Coelho in the ranks. Arrigoni is yet to prove himself at the highest level but he is a wily tactician and will hope to frustrate more illustrious opposition. Bologna certainly won’t take a gung-ho approach to their trip to San Siro and it could be time for a heroic rearguard.

Bologna can look to the history books for inspiration as they stunned Milan 1-0 at San Siro on their last trip in January 2005. Prior to that amazing afternoon, the Felsinei had lost five in a row to the Diavolo since a 2002 triumph at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Christian Abbiati seems to have beaten Nelson Dida and Zeljko Kalac in the three-way struggle for the goalkeeper’s gloves. Ronaldinho is expected to make a debut and should be fit after playing every minute of Brazil’s Olympic bid. Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze have shaken off their injury woes to be available, while new boy Senderos is unfit with a minor back problem.

Arrigoni brings a host of new faces and Gaby Mudingayi, Coelho, Sergio Volpi and Miguel Britos could all make their first starts in the Rossoblu jersey. Towering marksman Marco Bernacci – touted as the new Luca Toni – is set to make his Bologna debut alongside last term’s goal machine Massimo Marazzina. There’s a welcome back to Serie A for veteran ‘keeper Francesco Antonioli.

Keep an eye on: Ronaldinho (Milan) – News of the former FIFA World Player of the Year’s arrival caused frenzy in Milan. Can Dinho return to his brilliant best?

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Milan (- - - - -) Bologna (- - - - -)
Milan (probable): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Flamini; Kaka, Ronaldinho, Pato

Bologna (probable): Antonioli; Zenoni, Castellini, Britos, Lanna; Coelho, Volpi, Mudingayi, Valiani; Marazzina, Bernacci



they start of with the wrong linup by inclduing kaka in and nesta aswell........... C4 will never get it rite i suppose

Would you mind to learn this language?

"Milan vô địch!"

Morning training has taken place.

Warmups included work on abs and dorsals. After this the team was divided into groups for drills.

Ronaldinho, Pato, Pirlo, Viudez, Antonini, Kaladze, Seedorf, Cardacio and Brocchi worked on speed, doing sprints over 15 meters.

Emerson, Flamini, Maldini, Favalli, Darmian and Bonera worked on strengthening exercises in the sand pit.

Ambrosini and Jankulovski ran laps around the perimeter of the pitch.

Nesta, Kakà and Borriello trained in the gym.

The afternoon's training session will be more tactical in nature.

Good one!!

While Italian is the sweetest language, French is like the classiest. (just my opinion). you don't like French football team? it's OK. but what about their literature, cinema and pop music? one should know French if likes those things.

I like Luc Besson...I can watch Banlieu-13 over and over again. Same goes for Taxi.

Got nothing against French people or the culture. I just find the language a lot like speaking with boils on your tongue.

...Nesta?? --->

I'd love it too, Trini, but I don't think they're right about Nesta being back.

yea nesta,kaka,borrilleo all training in gym

aww ok i see...just I figured!

Afternoon training has taken place.

Kaka and Borriello continue to train separately but today that separate training included running and exercises outside the gym.

As regards the rest of the group, the players took part in tactical exercises. The first drill was a 10 v 10 minigame without goals followed by offensive and defensive drills.

Senderos and Zambrotta ran a series of sprints.

Finally there was an 11 v 11 practice game. The group wearing green bibs included Kalac, Oddo, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski, Gattuso, Emerson, Flamini, Seedorf, Inzaghi e Pato.

[I have no idea what the significance of green bibs is. The training report just cuts off there.]

they haven mentioned the other team which would have consisted R80,sheva abbaiti etc i suppose

Nope, they sure didn't. What's above isn't quite a word-for-word translation but it's close to it. I don't leave out mentions of players (Nesta and Pirlo weren't mentioned either).

yea i meant they (acmilan.com) havent mentioned the other team

Yet another example of the wonderful editing and proofreading by our friends at acmilan.com.

i think u should apply for job there u will easily get it aswell

Haha, don't think I haven't been tempted, CMF.

A cookie to acmilan.com's italian page editor for not taking more than a day to notice there was a problem with the training report.

The following sentence has been added to the end of the report (where players in green bibs for the practice game are listed by name):



[Brocchi, Ambrosini and Ronaldinho wore those bibs yesterday and the wearing of green bibs in practice is not an indication of the starting lineup Sunday against Bologna.]

Oh, the green bibs are one team and the rest are in the other team in the training 11 v 11 match. So, that tells us the squad that played together, and by the process of silmination, we can figure out the other squad as well

EDIT: I should have read the other posts before replying

Very.

Simply Can't Wait !....I am just missing those Serie A Weekends....

couldn't have put it any better myself, welcome to milanfan.

Despite all the speculation about a 4-2-3-1, Gazzetta's probable lineup for Sunday's game is a 4-3-2-1:

Abbiati
Zambrotta Nesta Kaladze Jankulovski
Gattuso Pirlo Ambrosini
Flamini Ronaldinho
Shevchenko

I don't think it's right. Flamini's too far up, I don't think Nesta's close to match fit, etc etc etc.

What king of formation is that??!!

And we better not see Ambro and Rino in the same formation unless it's neccessary, and in this case it's definately not neccissary!

Definitely! In these kind of games one of Ambrosini/Rino is more than enough.

I think Carlo will use the 4-3-1-2 with Ronaldinho, Pato and Sheva upfront. In the back, since Nesta is not ready yet, I hope for Paolo and Bonera.

flamini in rino place while seedorf in flamini place and i think bonera for nesta for this first game atleast

Yeah we dont' need three defensive midfielders I don't think. Though Flamini does offer a bit of an offensive option...

I think you're right... 4-3-1-2 is what we should play...

Is Bonera serving a ban from the end of last season? He's marked as suspended on Gazzetta -- they're usually right about that sort of thing.

I believe so. They should forgive those I think...

Today's training has taken place.

The team met at 2.30 in the gym before moving outside at 3pm.

After warmups the team worked on technical exercises.

Following this, the players were divided into two groups. One group went into the gym to do specific work while Emerson, Gattuso, Shevchenko and Flamini played calcio-tennis against Dida, Seedorf, Ronaldinho and Pato.

Senderos, Inzaghi e Nesta followed specific work.

Kakà and Borriello, after having run laps of the central pitch, moved into the gym.

Zambrotta worked on a series of stretches (I think that's how allunghi translates).

There will be one training session tomorrow.

---
I leave for the airport in an hour or so. While I'm gone, I will likely not be anywhere near a computer so will see you when I get back.

Pola has been given the Fishdoll Code of Conduct to keep track of who is due cookies (or trips to the piranha tank) in my absence.

Dont worry Tennie , everything would be fine ! becauze your cookies will heat those minds !!!

the game wil be live on bet365.com

Made my day..

Nah, that would not be good at all. Otherwise it would encourage bad tackles in the last weekend of the season.

Ah... you have a point... to think of it... just imagine how many red cards would happen on that day...