Acelotti believe Milan's era wasn't over yet

Carlo Ancelotti warns Milan they need to buck their ideas up, but doesn’t agree with Kaka that “an era is coming to an end.”

The Brazilian made the comments this week and suggested the time was right to make vast changes in the squad, including the introduction of a Steven Gerrard figure.

“An era ends when the owners change, so while Silvio Berlusconi remains President, this era will continue,” replied Ancelotti.

“There will certainly be a process of renewal, but that’s not to say anything has to come to an end. That’s not the way I see it.

“Kaka is an intelligent lad and can express his own opinion, but every now and then he needs to be told off, too.

“Ricardo was spot on about Gerrard, though. He’s a player who could be very useful, but it’s all fantasy football.”

One of those rumoured to be moving on is Ancelotti himself, who confessed he would certainly like to take the Chelsea job.

“It’s true I am taking English lessons, but that is because I need it to go round the world, not just to work in England. In any case, there are no developments and there won’t be any.”

The tactician has urged new signings in defence and upfront with latest reports suggesting a renewed bid for Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor.

“We must make the right tweaks to keep this team competitive, but there’s no need to do something wild. [Marco] Borriello could potentially give us 20 goals, he is recovering and will have the same quality he did a year ago before his injuries.”

Milan are pushing for second place and the former Juventus boss admits he is “supporting Inter tonight” in the Derby d’Italia.

They take on Torino on Sunday evening and Marek Jankulovski is suspended with Paolo Maldini not 100 per cent fit.

“We need to be careful, as Toro have changed and thanks to their new Coach play in a much more solid way. We could have difficulty breaking through their defence and the three midfielders protecting them.

“Lately our own standard of football has left something to be desired, so we have to do better, especially against a locked-down opponent.

“We need heft upfront and a high tempo. The team is in good shape physically, but has to play better.”

Milan may not extended Senderos permanently

There are reports Milan won’t make Philippe Senderos’ move permanent, so he could switch to Fiorentina or Hertha Berlin.

The Swiss international arrived on loan from Arsenal in the summer, but has only made 11 Serie A appearances – five starts – due to a series of injury worries.

German newspapers suggest it’s not enough to push Milan into paying the £6.5m to buy him outright from the Gunners.

Instead Senderos is considering interesting proposals from Fiorentina, Lazio, Udinese and Hertha Berlin.

The 24-year-old started his career at Servette in Switzerland and joined Arsenal in 2003.

Milan need to revamp their defence with Paolo Maldini set to retire and Alessandro Nesta still struggling to recover from a serious back condition.

Giuseppe Favalli was expected to walk away in the summer when his contract expires, but there are reports the club could extend his deal.

Ancelotti - The story has to end

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he “would like” to lead Chelsea and “won’t stay at Milan indefinitely. Sooner or later this story has to end.”

The Coach has always stated he has no intention of quitting the Rossoneri even though his contract, which expires in 2010, has not yet been renewed.

However, he was a little more open when answering questions posed by children at the Milanello training ground event.

“I will not go to Chelsea, even if I won’t stay at Milan indefinitely,” said Ancelotti when asked if he’d work at Stamford Bridge.

“Sooner or later this story has to end. Chelsea are a great club and I cannot say I wouldn’t like it.”

These comments fuel speculation that Roman Abramovich has offered the job to Ancelotti when Guus Hiddink returns to Russia and that the tactician is giving it serious consideration.

Milan have hinted they will fire him if he doesn’t at least finish in the top three, but going into this weekend they are only two points adrift of Juventus in second place.

Paolo Maldini added more evidence that Ancelotti is not entirely sure what to do with his future.

“Every day I ask the Coach if he’s staying and he always tells me to ask him again tomorrow.”

Borriello's comeback from long injuries

Marco Borriello’s long injury nightmare is coming to an end and he hopes to play in Milan’s final games of the season.

The former Genoa striker has been struggling throughout the campaign with a series of setbacks that have seen him make just eight appearances in all competition.

“I am training twice a day and my leg is holding up. I’m so happy that I can start running and look ahead without worrying about what this season has been like for me,” he told Milan Channel.

“We will not take risks or push the recovery process, but if all goes well I’d love to play some of the important games that await us in May.”

The Rossoneri certainly have a tough run-in as they face Juventus, Udinese, Roma and Fiorentina.

Borriello returned to San Siro after scoring 19 goals for Genoa last term, but has struggled with injuries to the meniscus ligament, a recurring thigh strain and in February underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his right thigh.

“Fans stop me in the street and ask when I’ll return. I can only focus on working hard and doing well in a Milan jersey, whether that is this season or the next.

“My objective is to play at Milan for many years to come and hopefully end my career here.”

Maldini only regret

Paolo Maldini prepares to hang up his boots after 24 years, but has only one regret. “I’d love to replay the 2002 game against South Korea.”

In what proved to be his final appearance for Italy, the legend made a mistake that allowed Korea to snatch a Golden Goal, knocking the Azzurri out of the World Cup.

“If I could play one game again, it would not be Milan-Liverpool in Istanbul,” he said of the Champions League Final in which they threw away a 3-0 lead in six minutes.

“We played there for 120 minutes like Gods and for six like idiots. No, I’d love to replay the 2002 game against South Korea.

“I can still see Ahn Jung Hwan’s Golden Goal, my last moment in the Nazionale.”

Many have urged Marcello Lippi to give Maldini one last cap to celebrate his retirement, but even the defender was against that being February’s clash with Brazil.

“The newspapers dragged me into that match. I was open to it as long as a) it wasn’t out of pity and b) I didn’t get in the way.”

However, Maldini did say he would be “proud” to play for Italy in the friendly that is being organised in Pescara to raise funds for the Abruzzo earthquake victims.

“I have played 895 games for Milan in all competition and now I’ve recovered from my muscular problems and there are seven rounds left, I’d like to reach 900.

“I wanted to call it a day at San Siro, but in our last game of the season we play away to Fiorentina. So I’ll have to salute the fans the week before, on May 24 against Roma.”

Some at the club are still trying to convince the captain to change his mind and play on, but the dye is cast.

“I am 100 per cent going to retire. This time last year I was doubtful, but not now. Negative incidents can happen when you’re 25 or 40.

“The problem is you cannot go against nature. You can push it, but at a certain point you need to give up. I still have the fire in my belly and could physically continue, but I’ve made my decision.”

Ambrosini intrerested on Napoli

The agent of Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has refused to rule out a transfer to Napoli.

Ambrosini is still waiting on a contract offer to extend his current deal, which expires in 2010.

Milan are expected to make some sweeping changes to their squad this summer and Ambrosini could be one of the men making way as recent reports suggest that Napoli are ready to pounce.

“Anything is possible for Massimo,” representative Moreno Roggi said on Radio Kiss Kiss.

“All doors are open, but I do think it is unlikely that he will be leaving Milan because he has another year on his contract.

“It's nice to hear talk of Napoli - the more talk the better - but that isn't a possibility right now.

“However, Napoli are a great club and Ambrosini is a great player - so why not?”

Simon Kjaer focused on Palermo

Palermo rising star Simon Kjaer is hot property in the peninsula, but he remains focused on life in Sicily.

The Rosanero are determined to keep hold of the 20-year-old despite the attentions of Inter, Juventus and Milan.

“I know that the media are talking about me joining a big side,” Kjaer said in the Corriere dello Sport.

“It is a positive thing to hear and it boosts my confidence, but I don't really pay any attention to it.

“The most important thing for me is when the Coach tells me that I'm playing well.

“I have a contract until 2013 and I'm not worried. Any player would be happy to join one of Europe's top teams but I would love to stay here.

“I love everything about this city, especially the weather. I am gaining in experience and I will keep growing because the club and the Coach have faith in me.

“I think Serie A is the best League in the world and I didn't expect to find such dangerous strikers at every team.

“For example, we will be taking on Bologna on Sunday and they are third from bottom but they have Marco Di Vaio, who is one of the best strikers in Italy.”

Match report - AC Milan 5:1 Torino

Scorers: Inzaghi 13, 37, 60 (M), Kaka pen 68 (M), Franceschini 80 (T), Ambrosini 90 (M)

Pippo Inzaghi bagged a hat-trick as Milan crushed Torino 5-1 and caught Juventus in second place.

The Rossoneri could catch Juventus in second place with a victory, even though their performances hadn't been all that impressive lately. Toro meanwhile felt the flames of Serie B licking at their feet, although they had a boost from last week's dramatic late win over Catania, Giancarlo Camolese's first victory on the bench.

Milan's defence was decimated as Marek Jankulovski's ban added to injury woes for Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Daniele Bonera, Luca Antonini, Christian Abbiati, Gennaro Gattuso and Marco Borriello, so Mathieu Flamini improvised as a full-back. Toro weren't in better shape, missing Eugenio Corini, Elvis Abbruscato, Andrea Gasbarroni, Marco Pisano, Nicola Ventola and Paolo Zanetti.

Pippo Inzaghi got the ball in the back of the net after nine minutes by nodding David Beckham's free kick, but he was offside.

It was only a warning, as soon after Inzaghi got his header after all. A Beckham corner kick was whipped in for SuperPippo's free header from six yards, left totally unmarked.

Matteo Sereni blocked another Inzaghi header from a long Beckham pass, while the goalkeeper also controlled Pippo's shot set up by Alexandre Pato. The young Brazilian went for goal at the back post when he should've crossed for the unmarked Inzaghi.

Nelson Dida smothered a Blerim Dzemaili snapshot after 34 minutes, but it was all Milan and the two stars combined again. Kaka went on the counter and Beckham dummied a shot from outside the box, but instead placed the ball on Inzaghi's head for a second goal.

Claudio Rivalta went off with a muscular problem to make way for Paolo Hernan Dellafiore.

Another corner wreaked havoc in the Granata box, Flamini volleying inches over the bar. Kaka should've scored a third when Flamini cut back Andrea Pirlo's long ball from the byline, but the Brazilian shinned it well over.

Brazil boss Carlos Dunga was in the stands, but Pato picked up a slight knock so he was replaced by Ronaldinho for the second half, while Jurgen Saumel came on for Dzemaili.

There was a comical moment when Massimo Ambrosini accidentally ran into the back of the referee and knocked him over!

Rolando Bianchi almost scored a Giuseppe Mascara-style stunner from 40 yards out, but it was just over with Dida backpedalling furiously.

Inzaghi completed his hat-trick on the hour mark. Ronaldinho's through ball allowed SuperPippo to spring the offside trap and he kept his cool to blast over Sereni from 10 yards. Inzaghi had also scored a treble against Toro in a 6-0 victory back in 2002.

Toro created a good chance to pull one back on the counter with Alessandro Rosina and Ignazio Abate combining well, but Bianchi misunderstood the direction of the pass behind the defence.

Inzaghi was given a standing ovation by San Siro as he made way for Andriy Shevchenko. Soon after the referee pointed to the spot as Ambrosini went through the middle on another through ball and Sereni came flying out to knock him over. Kaka stepped up and converted low despite Sereni guessing the right angle.

Paolo Maldini was also rested, giving youngster Darmian a chance to shine.

Toro got a consolation goal late on with Milan's habitual problems from set plays, as a corner ricocheted around the box until Ivan Franceschini redirected Simone Barone's effort from six yards.

Kaka's effort from distance took a deflection to whistle wide of the far post, but in the final minute he threaded through for Ambrosini to rush into the box and place an angled drive into the far bottom corner.
Milan: Dida; Flamini, Senderos, Maldini (Darmian 72), Zambrotta; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka; Pato (Ronaldinho 46), Inzaghi (Shevchenko 65)

Torino: Sereni; Rivalta (Dellafiore 40), Natali, Franceschini, Rubin (Ogbonna 65); Abate, Dzemaili (Saumel 46), Barone, Diana; Rosina; Bianchi

Ref: Banti

66th game AC Milan Vs Torino

Sunday night at 20.30 Milan will host Torino at San Siro for the 66th time in history. The balance of the precedents is favorable to the Rossoneri: the Granata haven't won in Milan since the 1984/1985 season.

On Sunday 19 April at 20.30 Milan will welcome Giancarlo Camolese's Torino at San Siro in the evening match of the 32nd matchday of Serie A.

In total there are 65 precedents in Milan between the two clubs with a balance in favor of the Rossoneri with 37 victories, 17 draws, and 11 defeats. Only 47 goals have been conceded by Milan, against the 114 conceded by the Granata. Nine penalties were given to Ancelotti's side, six against.

The last meeting at San Siro corresponds to the last draw between the two teams and goes back to last season. It was 3 November 2007 and the match on the eleventh matchday of Serie A 2007/2008 finished 0-0. The same result also occurred the previous season when the Granata came to San Siro on the 15th matchday of the 2006/2007 season: it was 10 December 2006 and Milan came close to victory with a penalty won by Alberto Gilardino in the 78th minute, but Gila himself hit the post with his shot.

Milan's last victory was in the preceding encounter, in the 2002/2003 season due to the Granata's relegation to Serie B. It was 6 October 2002 and the Rossoneri won 6-0. These were the goalscorers: 21’ pen. Pirlo (M); 31’, 79’ and86’ Inzaghi (M), 41’ Serginho (M), 84’ own goal Fattori (T).

Torino, meanwhile, haven't won at San Siro since the 1984/1985 season: it was 24 March 1985 and the Rossoneri team coached by Liedholm was beaten 1-0 by the Granata of Radice thanks to Schachner's goal in the 61st minute.

The biggest victory came in the 1949/1950 season. It was 26 February 1950 and Milan won 7-0 with a brace by Burini in the 1st and 36th minutes, Nordahl III's brace in the 6th, 29th and 43rd minutes, and Liedholm's goal in the 90th minute.

HERE ARE THE LAST FIVE MEETINGS AT SAN SIRO

11' MATCHDAY - SEASON 2007/2008
3 November 2007
MILAN-TORINO 0-0

15' MATCHDAY - SEASON 2006/2007
10 December 2006
MILAN-TORINO 0-0

5' MATCHDAY - SEASON 2002/2003
6 Octobre 2002
MILAN-TORINO 6-0
Goalscorers: 21’ pen. Pirlo (M); 31’, 79’ and 86’ Inzaghi (M), 41’ Serginho (M), 84’ o.g. Fattori (T).

27' MATCHDAY - SEASON 2001/2002
17 March 2002
MILAN-TORINO 2-1
Goalscorers: 50' Kaladze (M), 62' pen. Ferrante (T), 79' Ambrosini (M).

13' MATCHDAY - SEASON 1999/2000
11 December 1999
MILAN-TORINO 2-0
Goalscorers: 3' Bierhoff (M), 75' pen. Shevchenko (M).

Maldini simple life

The Rossoneri's captain, Paolo Maldini, gave an interview to daily newspaper 'La Stampa' in which he touched on various themes: his career, his emotions, Milan, his life.

Paolo Maldini, a name, a legend. He has tied his entire career to Milan, the team of his city which saw him mature and grow as a man and a professional. In 1978 he had his first try-out with the Rossoneri, his Serie A debut on 20 January 1985 under Nils Liedhbolm, while he was just sixteen, in a match against Udinese (1-1).

Already the following season, at just 17, Paolo became a first choice in the Rossoneri's formation, with the number 3 shirt of the left back. He scored his first Serie A goal on 4 January 1987 in Como-Milan (0-1). In Europe, his first goal came on 21 October 1992 in Slovan Bratislava-Milan (0-1).

Today Paolo is Milan's captain, husband and father of Christian and Daniel, and holds the record for the most seasons in Serie A with the same team. With 25 consecutive seasons played with Milan, he is the record holder for appearences: 895 official games played, including Cups.

"There are seven games left to the end of the season" - Paolo Maldini said this morning in an interview to Turin daily newspaper 'La Stampa' - I've solved my physical problems, I'd like to get to 900."
The Rossoneri's captain made up a balance of his career on his last season as a player, saying: "As a man and a player I gave my best from when I was 30 to when I turned 40." On which game gave him the most emotions, Maldini answered: "The debut in Udine. Battistini got injured, Liedholm told me during the break in the dressing room."

With Milan's shirt in Italy he won, at national level: 7 Scudetti (1987-1988, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1995-1996, 1998-1999, 2003-2004); 5 Italian Supercups (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004 ) and 1 Coppa Italia (2002-2003); at international level: 5 Champions Cups/Champions League (1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1993-1994, 2002-2003, 2006-2007); 5 UEFA Supercups (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007); 2 Intercontinental Cups (1989, 1990); 1 Club World Cup (2007).

With the national team shirt he debuted at age 19, on 31 March 1988 in Jugoslavia-Italy (1-1) and scored the first of his 7 goals on 20 January 1993 in Florence against Mexico (2-0).

He quit the national team in 2002 at 34 after the World Cup. With the Azzurri's shirt he has played 126 matches (an absolute record), scoring 7 goals. Paolo also holds the record for the amount of matches with the captain's armband: 74. It's also possible that he will wear the Azzurri's shirt one more time in a possible friendly at Pescara in an act of solidarity towards Abruzzo: "It would be magnificent, I would be proud" - Maldini commented.

On 26 June Maldini will turn 41 and he will end this cycle of honors, glories and victories with the Rossoneri shirt, but since a few months a 'new' defender, Thiago Silva, is training alongside him at Milanello, and Paolo gave him his grade: "A very high grade. He's strong and quick. He's worthy of Milan."

All of this is captain Maldini, a unique case in the world and certainly all the Rossoneri fans, and not only them, will have a sad day when he plays his last match at San Siro on 24 May against Roma: "I would have liked to finish at San Siro, but our last match is in Florence. And so I will wave the fans goodbye the Sunday before, on 24 May at home against Roma."