CL: Arsenal - Milan [20-02-08]

[D-Kin]

Milan's new CL squad list:

Dida, Kalac, Fiori; Cafu, Maldini, Kaladze, Nesta, Simic, Jankulovski, Favalli, Bonera, Darmian, Oddo; Emerson, Gattuso, Seedorf, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Brocchi, Paloschi; Inzaghi, Gilardino, Kakà, Ronaldo, Pato

Alexandre Pato and Alberto Paloschi have been added with Serginho and Willy Aubameyang making way.

[D-Kin]

It seems Pato is now a major doubt for the game after picking up an ankle injury.

[Sven]

Kaka to win it.

[sinoy1]

Its being reported that Kaka may be out for 4 months due to chronic knee problems.He's had it for several years now but it has flared up even worse.He was subbed in the Fiorentina game for that reason apparently.

[D-Kin]

Milan can't afford to lose him now (especially given the injuries up front) so I'd imagine they'll wait until the summer before he receives any serious treatment.

[Podolski]

shame, was looking forward to see what pato could do

[cerebral_assassin]

Kaka, ronaldo n pato on the pitch.... im saying milan wins....

either 1 missing, then its a bad situation.

[D-Kin]

Brazilian pair are Arsenal doubts Wednesday 6 February, 2008

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Both Kaka and Alexandre Pato look likely to be sidelined for Milan’s Champions League last 16 first leg against Arsenal.

The Rossoneri take on the Premier League leaders in a fortnight, but their preparations have been seriously jeopardised by injuries to two of their key men.

Pato has made a superb start to life in Serie A and has already chalked up four goals, but the Brazilian starlet damaged his ankle against Fiorentina last Sunday.

Reports in the Corriere dello Sport suggest that the 18-year-old striker will not recover in time for the Emirates Stadium clash and will have to settle for playing a part in the return on March 4.

Meanwhile, it seems that Kaka’s knee problem is becoming increasingly severe after it was revealed that he has been in pain for months.

The FIFA World Player of the Year’s spokesman Diego Kotshco has explained that Kaka is unlikely to feature in London.

“He has been treating this knee pain with physiotherapy and anti-inflammatories,” he told Globoesporte.

“It is not appropriate to intervene surgically, but he probably will not be fielded against Arsenal.”

Carlo Ancelotti could also be without Ronaldo and Filippo Inzaghi who are currently injured and may be left with only Alberto Gilardino in terms of striking options.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Milan gunning for Kaka and Pato Wednesday 6 February, 2008

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Kaka’s spokesman may not be so sure, but Milan’s fitness staff are confident the Balon d’Or winner and Alexandre Pato will be ready to face Arsenal.

The presence of the two Brazilians in this Champions League clash was put in doubt by recent injury worries.

Pato turned his ankle on the turf during Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Fiorentina, while Kaka’s spokesman Diego Kotscho warns a knee problem has been dragging on for months and “he probably will not be fielded against Arsenal.”

However, a very different opinion has been proffered by MilanLab co-ordinator Jean Pierre Meersseman.

“Pato is much better today. Up until yesterday he was walking with the aid of crutches, but now he can walk without feeling any pain,” he told Milan Channel.

“We are confident of his recovery time. Up until yesterday we thought it would take two or three weeks, but now I think within a fortnight he can be recovered and ready for the match with Arsenal.”

There were fears Pato had damaged ligaments or even fractured his ankle when he caught his studs in the turf.

“Pato was certainly very frightened, as it was his first injury and came after scoring a fantastic goal the day before he was set to join the Brazilian national team. It was a physical blow and a psychological one.”

The race to play at the Emirates on February 20 is also on for Kaka, who has been struggling with a knee problem.

“Kaka will certainly be available against Arsenal, but he won’t be there with Siena,” confirmed Meersseman.

“This knee injury has been going on for almost two years and he always feels a little pain the day after a match. This is why we decided to take action so he can recover quicker in future.”

The Rossoneri face Siena this weekend without the suspended Alberto Gilardino, so there are precious few options left in attack.

“Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi will certainly be there against Siena. They looked good in training. We also scanned Gennaro Gattuso and he too should be ready for Arsenal.”

The professor revealed a curious particular about Gattuso’s hardman reputation,

“We need to protect Rino from himself, as he feels no pain and so pushed forward through everything. We need in-depth tests to see if there really is any damage or not.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Marcelo]

Kaka aims for Arsenal Thursday 7 February, 2008

Kaka will be missing for Milan’s game against Siena this weekend, but he is determined to return for the Champions League trip to Arsenal.

The Ballon d’Or winner has been playing in spite of a knee problem for the last year, but has finally been forced to give the problem some time to heal.

While it looks likely that he will be absent for the February 16 clash against Parma, Kaka believes he will be ready to travel to London on February 20 after positive tests today.

“The knee is getting better,” the Brasila native said at a charity event in Milan.

“Unfortunately, this is an old problem. I’ve been dealing with this pain for a long time and managing to deal with it, but I can’t keep training and playing at my best with it.

“This is the right time to take a rest and see if that’s enough to cure it. I’m hoping to play again as soon as possible.

“I don’t know how long it will take, but it doesn’t look like I will be playing on Sunday or Wednesday. Still, we will see about the Parma game because there is a week to go.

“I just want to be back for the double test against Arsenal. I don’t think any operation will be needed, not even at the end of the year.”

Milan have a number of injury worries ahead of this weekend’s game against Siena, but Carlo Ancelotti could welcome back striking stars Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi.

“There will be a lot of changes in attack as Ronaldo and Inzaghi will be coming back in,” Kaka insisted.

“I am happy for Ronnie and I hope that Pippo can get back to his best too as we have missed him so much.”

Kaka finished the interview by commenting on his chances of playing for Brazil’s Olympic side in Beijing this summer.

“I would like to go,” he admitted. “But I will leave the decision to the Brazilian Football Federation and Milan because there can be such trouble with these things.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Pato should be available.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Ok updates on the injury list regarding Milan vs Arsenal.

Milan have an ever growing list of injuries, and so do Arsenal, but most of Arsenal's players seem to be on their way back.

Anyway, The latest is Kalac could miss the game as he suffered a dislocated finger today during training and he will be evaluated tomorrow. Dida is also almost gauranteed out with his starnge back problem so we will probably have Fiori in Goal. MAMMA MIA!!

A.C. MILAN'S OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
2/17/2008
MILAN - A.C. Milan announces that during the training session of today, goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac suffered a dislocation to the phalanx of the index finger in his right hand. His conditions will be evaluated tomorrow to understand whether he will be available for London against Arsenal.

Seedorf has been passed fit to play, while Galliani and Carlo stil have doubts over Pato.

Kaka is better but of course Ronie will be out. Hopefully Nesta's back will hold up too!

Forza Ragazzi!!

[D-Kin]

Having Seedorf back is a bonus.

Who will play in goal if Kalac is out then? Fiori?

[Aladino]

Yup Fiori, scary shit this is! I hope kalac or Dida gets better soon. Poor Fiori will die before the game even starts...

[Aladino]

KALAC C'E'

YES!! Kalac made the squad, I don't think I have ever been so happy to see his name

Portieri - Kalac, Fiori, Offredi;
Difensori - Cafu, Maldini, Nesta, Kaladze, Simic, Jankulovski, Favalli, Bonera, Oddo;
Centrocampisti - Emerson, Gattuso, Seedorf, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Brocchi;
Attaccanti - Kakà, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato.