Milan in the World Club Cup

[D-Kin]

Galliani: Japan comes first Friday 7 December, 2007

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Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani claims that the Club World Cup is the Rossoneri’s primary objective this season.

The European champions have arrived in Japan to compete for the world crown and are hoping to detract attention from their miserable League campaign.

Although Champions League success remains a major objective, it seems that Galliani has set his heart on a new honour.

“Everyone at Milan knows that this is our club’s main priority for the season,” the Milan man insisted. “We will do everything we can to win this prestigious Cup.

“We are here in Japan for the sixth time and it’s something special. Last night we were saying on the plane that of the many sides in Europe only one gets to come to Japan at the end of the year and we are very happy to represent our continent.

“From the coach, to the ceremonies, to this Press conference we have noticed that we aren’t playing in the old Intercontinental Cup. This Club World Cup is something different.”

Milan open their campaign at the semi-final stage on December 13 when they face one of Iranian outfit Epaphan, New Zealand’s best Waitakere United or Japanese champions Urawa Red Diamonds.

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[Aladino]

This is the time for Milan to turn the season around. We want another trophy. Let's make it 2 out of a possible six so far!

[Aladino]

This is the press conference in Japan where Carlo, ASdriano, Paolo, Alberto and Kala all part taked in the interviews.

POINT OF ARRIVAL
12/7/2007 11:46:00 AM
At Yokohama there’s the entire Milan. And even though there will be many close games on their return back to Italy, it will be worth it. Maldini wants to close the circle and states again: “I play up till the 30th of June 2008.”

The first one to talk is Adriano Galliani, General Manager of Milan: “We’re here in Japan for the sixth time, it’s an extraordinary thing. From the coach, the ceremony, this press conference, we noticed that we are not playing the old intercontinental cup, but something else, something new. This is really the Club World Cup. Last night we were saying on the plane that from the many teams which play football in Europe, only one comes to Japan and we’re happy to represent our continenta. All of Milan know that for this sports season this is the main objective of our club. We shall do everything possible to win this cup.”

Then Carlo Ancelotti: “The expectations are very important and we have a precise objective: to win. There are very good teams taking part in this event, from all continents. It will not be easy, but we are convinced that we have the qualities to obtain the best.”

After the introductory greetings of Paolo Maldini (“This trophy is a point of arrival for any player.”), Alberto Gilardino (“I will try to give my contribution in this new experience for me”) and Kaladze (“We have arrived a bit early to prepare ourselves well, but it will not be easy”), the questions followed.

Paolo Maldini is asked if he intends on retiring just after the Club World Cup: “I have absolutely no intention of doing so. I signed until the 30th of June 2008 and that will be the end of my career. After five months of rehabilitation, it would be absurd to interrupt the season now that I’m fine. I want to enjoy until the end this season.” Paolo continued on the experiences, even the defeats, of his great career: “It’s true, I lost many finals, but to arrive to the finals you must win. And anyway the defeat is part of the game. Now we’re here for the end of the two years of work, the end of a circle which started with our coach. With Milan, here in Japan, the times we lost, I left knowing that I could return. With the national team, in 2002, I knew that I would have not had other chances. You can easily compare…in any case the defeats are never easy to digest, especially in the last two Intercontinental Cups, where we lost against two teams which were within our reach, especially Velez.”

Then Paolo Maldini replied to a question about Ronaldo: “It seemed like his problem had passed, but instead after Lisbon he was very sad. We’re sorry for him on the human level, but also on the technical level, because it’s not easy for a champion like him. He is not happy, he is a great player, he always wants to play and instead has not been playing for a very long time.”

The technical themes for the Club World Cup are discussed by Carlo Ancelotti: “We have seen all the teams and tonight we shall watch the first game of the tournament. Urawa has more experience and individuality than the Iranian team. The Japanese team is the team which has most advantages because it plays at home and does not have jet lag. They also have a high level of technical abilities. On our return to Italy we know that we shall have to recover three games, but we also know that we want to do better at home to recover the points which separate us from the fourth place.”

Finally, Alberto Gilardino (“These games confirm to me that in the summer of 2005 I made the right choice, Milan”) and Kaladze: “In 2003 I did not play, I was on the bench, as I was coming from an injury. I was sorry to lose in the penalty shoot-out. Now I’m fine and I’m happy to be here with Milan.”

[Aladino]

Sepahan beat Waitakere 3-1

CLUB WORLD CUP: SEPAHAN QUALIFIES
12/7/2007
TOKIO - At the Tokyo National Stadium the match between Sepahan and Waitakere United just ended: the Iranian team defeated the New Zealand team 3-1, thanks to a brace of Emad Mohammed (3rd and 4th minute) and Abu Al Hail after two minutes in the second half. Bazeley pulled one back for Waitakere United in the 74th minute: Sepahan qualified and will face Urawa Red Diamonds in the quarter finals. | |

Iranians get Milan chance Friday 7 December, 2007

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Milan are a step closer to knowing their Club World Cup opponents after Iranians Sepahan beat Waitakere United 3-1.


The tournament brings together the winners of each major confederation competition in Japan and the Rossoneri are representative of Europe after capturing the Champions League in May.


Carlo Ancelotti’s men will only enter at the semi-final stage – as will South Americans Boca Juniors.


The Club World Cup kicked off today with Sepahan defeating New Zealand’s Waitakere United 3-1 in the Tokyo National Stadium.


It took just four minutes for Ema Mohammed to bag a brace and Abu Al Hail put the result beyond doubt straight after the restart. Bazeley netted for Waitakere at the 74th.


This means that Iranian outfit Sepahan go through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds on Monday.


The winner of that tie will take on Milan in the semi-final in Yokohama on Thursday December 13.


On the other side of the draw, Tunisians Etoile du Sahel clash with Mexico’s Pachuca on Sunday to decide who will go through to face Boca Juniors on Wednesday December 12.


The Final of the Club World Cup is in Yokohama on Sunday December 16.


Meanwhile, the Lega Calcio has confirmed that the Rossoneri’s three Serie A games have been rescheduled.


Atalanta-Milan was called off after just seven minutes on November 11 due to home fans protesting at the death of Gabriele Sandri by knocking down a Plexiglas barrier.


That tie will now take place behind closed doors at the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia on January 23, kick-off 19.30 UK time.


The two Serie A rounds postponed so that Milan could play in the Club World Cup are also late starts.


Reggina-Milan has been switched to January 30 at 19.30, while Milan-Livorno will be on February 13, also an evening fixture.

[D-Kin]

Ronaldo out of Club World Cup? Saturday 8 December, 2007

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Ronaldo’s hopes of playing in the Club World Cup are in tatters after he failed to train for the third day running.

He had targeted the competition in Japan as his primary goal for the season, even after making just a couple of official appearances since picking up an injury in August.

However, since flying out to Yokohama for the tournament he has not trained at all with the rest of the Milan squad.

This is the third day of training and Il Fenomeno has still not taken part due to pain in his calf muscle, although it is reported tests have shown no actual damage.

It is now extremely unlikely he can recover in time to play either the semi-final on Thursday or the Final on Sunday December 16.

The next target he can set to achieve full fitness is the Milan derby on December 23.

Serginho also failed to take part in today’s training session, but Clarence Seedorf did work with the rest of the squad and seems to be recovering well from an ankle problem.

Marcos Cafu was particularly impressive in the game between ranks, while Pippo Inzaghi hit the back of the net.

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[Aladino]

Dida adds to Milan concerns Sunday 9 December, 2007

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As Ronaldo continues to sit out Milan’s Club World Cup training sessions, Nelson Dida has also picked up an injury.


There are now few doubts that Il Fenomeno will not be able to play in the tournament in Japan, as for the fourth day on the trot he failed to take part in training due to a calf problem.


Coach Carlo Ancelotti has another concern to contend with, as today Dida was out of action after suffering from lumbago.


This is a recurring problem for the Brazilian goalkeeper and Zeljko Kalac is on stand-by should he fail to recover in time for the semi-final.


The good news for Ancelotti is that Emerson and Marek Jankulovski have fully recovered from their injuries and are available.


This week Milan have been on a staggered training schedule as they adapt to the time difference in Yokohama, but from Monday they return to a normal set of two sessions per day.


The preliminary rounds of the Club World Cup are in full swing and there has already been a surprise, as Tunisians Etoile eliminated Mexican favourites Pachuca 1-0.


The Central Americans hit the crossbar with Gimenez in the first half and Balbouli denied Caballero, but just as extra time was looming Ogunbiyi Ola held up the ball for Narry’s daisy-cutter.


Etoile will go on to face Boca Juniors in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Not good news, we need Dida, hopefully he will recover in time.

[D-Kin]

Kaka shoulders the burden Saturday 8 December, 2007

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Ballon d’Or winner Kaka insists he enjoys the responsibility of leading Milan to Club World Cup glory.

“This is a very important trophy for the South Americans, so myself and my teammates will do everything we can to win and write our name in the history of football,” said the Brazilian.

He was in the side that lost to Boca Juniors in 2003, but four years on he has become a key figure in the Rossoneri line-up.

“I like responsibility. I know I am here and what is expected of me, so it is true that things are different for me compared to the last time I played in this tournament,” said Kaka, who could face Boca Juniors again in the Final.

“Right now we are focusing only on the semi-final. As for the rest, I don’t like the idea of revenge. In 2003 Boca won and that is all there is to it. We have to look forward.”

Milan enter from the semi-finals and do not yet know the name of their opponents. Sepahan defeated Waitakere United 3-1 and the winner of their match with Urawa Red Diamonds will decide who goes on to face the Italians.

“We watched the game to get a good idea over our next opponents and will be careful to take notes during Monday’s quarter-final.”

Kaka will have even more pressure on him to deliver, as Ronaldo looks set to miss out completely after failing to train for the past three days.

“He has overcome more difficult moments than this, when he was out for two years with that knee injury. I hope he can return soon and get a string of games under his belt.

“The thing that is troubling him is the feeling he’s not part of the squad because he can’t play in the matches. This is why we all talk a lot during this training camp in Japan, as we want to show him he is part of the side.”

It is increasingly unlikely Il Fenomeno will be back in action before the Milan derby on December 23.

“We don’t know when he’ll be back, but when we talk – and we often do – we don’t discuss injuries. His calf muscle is still troubling him, but that is for the medical staff to think about. We take care of Ronaldo the man and our teammate.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Milan stars root for Ronnie Monday 10 December, 2007

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The Milan camp has rallied round the injured Ronaldo and hope that he will play some part in the Club World Cup.

El Fenomeno hasn’t trained with the Rossoneri in Yokohama due to the calf injury he sustained during the warm-up for the Benfica game a fortnight ago.

The European champions face the winner of today’s Urawa Red Diamonds-Sepahan clash on Thursday, but will have to do so without a restless Ronaldo.

“What irritates him is that he doesn’t feel like part of the squad when he isn’t playing,” Kaka told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“During training we talk to him so that he feels involved. We don’t now how long he will stay out of action, but we haven’t lost hope of seeing him play in this tournament.

“The calf is still hurting him, but the doctors are doing everything they can to cure him.”

Captain Paolo Maldini is also feeling the loss of the former Real Madrid star, but he has every faith in the Diavolo’s medical team.

“His injury was really unlucky, but he is a player with enormous experience and we want to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible,” the veteran stopper insisted.

There are also fears that goalkeeper Nelson Dida may miss the opening game as he has been absent from the last two training sessions with a back problem. Zeljko Kalac is ready to stand in should the giant Brazilian fail to recover.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[lionel]

85': Sepahan (Iran) 1 - 3 Red Diamonds (Japan)
the winner to face milan on thursday...

[lionel]

FT: Sepahan 1 - 3 Red Diamonds

Souma is the player milan should keep an eye on. he's thier main threat in attack.
The Japanese team will get the massive support of the fans but milan should beat this team. they don't have class in defense , very average in midfield and don't have that good attack to be a problem for milan...

[Aladino]

Thanks for that Lionel. Interesting stuff. I haven't been able to see any of the games because for the first time in years South AFrican bloody TV ar enot showing the Tourni. Typical, when Milan play they don't show it...

[lionel]

I found a great stream on the net of Star Sports... with english commentating. I'll give you the link when there is a match of milan (it doesn't appear untill then)

[Aladino]

thanks a Mill! That would be great

[Aladino]

Ambro's press conference. He is the Special one at Milan.

THANKS COACH
12/10/2007 10:11:00 AM
Massimo Ambrosini, at the press conference, replied to the questions on Ronaldo and compared his injuries to the ones of the Brazilian. According to Ambro, Ancelotti’s support was fundamental.

YOKOHAMA – Massimo Ambrosini’s press conference is on the 50th floor. Emotions, mister vice-captain? “Of course I feel them. If you don’t feel something for such events, it’s better to retire. It would be really important to bring back to Italy such a cup. The wait for the first game, the semi-final, is in fact a bit long, but after such a long time, a week of training just between us, all togethe