Milan targeted Tulio Tanaka

Milan could look to Japan in their attempts to strengthen their defence this summer, as Marcus Tulio Tanaka is a possible target.

The 27-year-old, who plays under the name Tulio, is currently plying his trade for J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds.

Milan beat the Japanese side during the Club World Cup in 2007, but Tanaka made an impression and has been a transfer objective ever since.

Tulio is most frequently used as a sweeper, but he is also comfortable playing in a holding midfield role.

According to Il Giornale, Milan may be tempted to table a bid this summer as he could be signed for as little as £3m.

Tulio’s mother is Italian, so the Japanese international would count as an EU-player as well as a potential marketing gateway into the lucrative Asian arena.

Press reports suggest that Milan’s other main objectives are Roma star Philippe Mexes and Palermo talent Simon Kjaer.

Ancelotii first red card of his Milan career

Carlo Ancelotti admits it was “only right” that he receive the first red card of his Milan career and ruled out a move to Chelsea.

“I left the technical area, although I would like to point out I did not insult or offend anybody,” he said after the 1-0 win away to Chievo.

“I complained about a free kick, probably in too strong a fashion, with the referee and then the fourth official. The decision to send me off was understandable.”

Ancelotti had never previously been dismissed for dissent on the Rossoneri bench, although it didn't put his team off their stride.

“Chievo adopted our same tactical system, so we tried to shake things up a bit. I think the team acted intelligently because we are not playing great football at the moment and need to wait for the top players to hit form so we can bring that extra quality.”

The week has been a tense one for Ancelotti, with reports he has agreed a contract to take over at Chelsea come the end of the season.

“There will be all sorts of talk, I'm sure we'll be in the eye of the storm,” he told Sky.

“I hope it will all be over by the end of May. Why then? Because I want to go on m

Milan - "Keep continues like this"

After the match at the Bentegodi, the Rossoneri are happy about the three points and determined to continue the series of positive results, especially in the next two games at San Siro.

Here are the declarations made by the Rossoneri after Chievo-Milan 0-1:

GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA:
"We obtained another important victory today, it was a bit suffered, but the most important thing is that we got it. Now we have to continue with this positive series of results. We risked something in the second half, but it's normal because we knew that Chievo were a good team. We have to continue with this mentality."

PHILIPPE SENDEROS
"Let's continue like this, it's important to continue not conceding goals. It was a difficult match and we earned three very important points.
Personally I am never entirely self-satisfied because I always want to do better, but I am happy I helped the team not to concede goals."

RICKY KAKÁ:
"Winning this match was important, we have a good distance from our competitors for the third place now and we have to continue like this. Certainly we will try to get as close as possible to Juventus and Inter, there's seven games left and they will be decisive for us, but also for the teams in front of us and those behind.
Personally it was an important match for me, to gain some confidence. Physically I am not perfect yet, the foot is responding well, but I lack physical fitness. I already talked with MilanLab, we will do specific work during the week."

CLARENCE SEEDORF:
"The satisfaction for the goal is great, but more for the three points because no team is giving up and we have to keep this step and continue like this. Slowly we are recovering everyone. Aside from me, also Ricky is doing better and Shevchenko did very well. We are recovering from our injuries and finding back our condition.
Now we have two home games in which we will have to get maximum points."

Milan wins agaisnt Chievo

Nice match at the Bentegodi and second precious consecutive win for Milan. The match is decided by Clarence Seedorf’s goal and a super save by Dida in the second half. Ancelotti is sent off: his first time with the Rossoneri.

In the Spring air of the Bentegodi, coach Domenico Di Carlo confirms everything: Chievo goes on the pitch with the formation which was predicted on the eve, that is Sorrentino, Sardo, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani, Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini, Pinzi, Pellissier and Bogdani.

David Beckham started from the bench for the second consecutive game. The starting eleven of the Rossoneri is made up of Dida, Zambrotta, Senderos, Favalli, Jankulovski, Pato, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kakà and Inzaghi. A sort of 4-2-3-1, therefore for Milan, with Seedorf-Kaka-Pato behind the only striker Inzaghi.

After a minute of silence observed in honour of the earthquake victims in Abruzzo, Chievo proved straight away their excellent athletic condition, imposing a high rhythm, but the first half ended in a goalless draw.

There were no changes between the first and second half, with the first substitution arriving in the 49th minute for Chievo, as Luciano substitutes Colucci. Milan took the lead in the 53rd minute thanks to a wonderful team move which started with Pato, who passes on the left hand side for Jankulovksi, who puts in the middle for Inzaghi. Superpippo passes backwards for Seedorf ho with a first timer scores past Sorrentino with a powerful shot.

The match ended with the second very precious consecutive win for the Rossoneri and on the stands, with the important embrace and an affectionate kiss, between Carlo Ancelotti and general manager Adriano Galliani. Chievo were nice and dangerous until the end: forward like this and the survival is certain.