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February 2020
How Technology Has Changed Football
29.2 || webmaster
AC Milan has changed a lot over its 120 year history. Founded originally as Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club by two Englishmen who lived and traded in the city, this connection to England can be seen in the club’s crest which contains a red cross on a white background. Coincidentally, this is the flag of both England and Milan.
It wasn’t long before the club’s English founders would step away though, when in 1908 a split occurred because of disagreements about whether international players should be allowed to compete in the team. This led to the creation of Inter Milan, and the renaming of Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club to AC Milan.
A Changing Sport
AC Milan has grown and changed a lot in the intervening 112 years, winning 18 Serie A titles, 5 Coppa Italia titles, 7 Champions League titles, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
In this time, the team has also seen football change a lot. The sport has become far more professional and commercialised, bringing in significant amounts of money from sponsorship and TV broadcasters.
Another major factor that has changed football in recent years has been technology. Here are some of the ways in which it has affected the beautiful game.
Football Betting
Betting on sport has been around for about as long as sport itself. Originally it woulf have been an informal arrangement between friends and acquaintances, but formal bookmakers quickly professionalised the activity. Brick and mortar betting shops were the only way fans could bet on sports for a long time, until the internet came along.
Thanks to the internet, sports betting has changed significantly over the last couple of decades. Just like the online casinos and real money poker rooms that set the trend, bookmakers have developed platforms that let fans place bets on sports games from anywhere using their smartphone. Most major bookmakers around the world take bets on Serie A and the other competitions AC Milan competes in.
VAR
VAR has been a controversial subject ever since it was first introduced to English football at the beginning of the 2019-20 season, but it has been a part of Italian football for a little longer. Serie A’s implementation of goal line technology means there are less VAR interruptions for goal/no goal decisions than in other leagues. It’s introduction has also increased the amount of injury time added to games, meaning AC Milan players must make their stamina go a little further.
Buying Tickets
Technology has made it much easier for fans to buy tickets to football games. As well as the traditional methods of ticket sales, such as AC Milan’s Casa Milan ticket office, fans can now get their tickets online. This means they can buy in advance and don’t have to make a special trip. Fans can save time and money this way, since they avoid paying for an extra journey.
Although there has been a crackdown on ticket reselling in recent years, some specialist websites allow fans to sell unwanted tickets to other fans. This helps them to recoup the cost of the ticket if they’re no longer able to attend the game.
Overall, football has changed a lot during its long history. However, recent technological advancements have sped up this change both on and off the pitch, mostly to the betterment of the fan experience.
Van Basten slams 'dishonest Sacchi'
28.2 || webmaster
Milan legend Marco van Basten thought he would “last forever”, revealed his poor impression of Arrigo Sacchi and how Zlatan Ibrahimovic “provoked” him.
The Dutch 55-year-old is registered with 90 goals in 147 Serie A matches and picked up the Capocannoniere title three times during his stint in Milan, where he won the Scudetto three times and helped them to the European Cup twice.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Zaracho yes to AC Milan
28.2 || webmaster
Milan have allegedly received the green light by Matias Zaracho and are currently negotiating the price tag for the starlet with his current employer Racing Club.
The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, has been looking for an opportunity in Europe and Calciomercato.com reports that he has given his word to the Rossoneri.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Zlatan to extend with AC Milan?
28.2 || webmaster
Zlatan Ibrahimovic could remain at San Siro even if Milan don’t qualify for the Champions League next year.
Milan are reportedly working on an extension of the current six-month deal, which included an automatic renewal option in case of qualification for Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
AC Milan must pay EUR 40 mil for Rebic
28.2 || webmaster
Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly asked Milan for €40m in order to purchase Ante Rebic, with up to €20m of that going to Fiorentina.
The attacking winger arrived on a two-year loan in exchange for Andre Silva going the other way on transfer deadline day, so there was no time to work out purchase options.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Offensive Cutrone attacks on social media
28.2 || webmaster
Fiorentina Patrick Cutrone was subjected to deeply offensive and cruel insults from Milan fans wishing he “end up like Davide Astori.”
The former Rossoneri forward came off the bench in last night’s 1-1 draw at the Stadio Franchi to face his former club.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Serie A: Fiorentina 1:1 AC Milan - match report
28.2 || webmaster
Scorers: Rebic 57 (M), Pulgar pen 85 (F)
It was a 1-1 draw dominated by VAR, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal disallowed, Dalbert was sent off and a contentious late Fiorentina penalty cancelled out Ante Rebic’s strike.
Hakan Calhanoglu returned from injury with Matteo Gabbia stepping into defence for his first Serie A start, as Rade Krunic, Simon Kjaer and Lucas Biglia didn’t make the trip. Dusan Vlahovic kept his spot alongside Federico Chiesa, with Patrick Cutrone on the bench against his former club, Franck Ribery and Christian Kouame long-term absentees. It was an emotional comeback to the Stadio Franchi for Stefano Pioli, who helped the team get through the Davide Astori tragedy. There was even a banner: ‘Real man and great leader. Stefano always one of us.’
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Romagnoli: 'Important win'
18.2 || webmaster
Alessio Romagnoli encouraged his Milan teammates to “take one game at a time” after an “important” win against Torino on Monday night.
Milan are now tied with sixth-placed Hellas Verona in Serie A, but are currently behind them and Parma on goal difference.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Gabbia: 'My grandparents will be happy'
18.2 || webmaster
Milan defender Matteo Gabbia enjoyed his Serie A debut in the 1-0 win against Torino on Monday night and thanked his teammates for the support.
The 20-year-old defender came on when Simon Kjaer had to be substituted before the break, but claimed he remained “calm” when called upon by coach Stefano Pioli.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Pioli: 'No Musacchio case'
18.2 || webmaster
Milan coach Stefano Pioli says there is “no case” with Mateo Musacchio, and was happy with his side’s performance.
The Rossoneri saw off a battling Torino side and are now only four points off of Roma in fifth spot in Serie A.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Serie A: AC Milan 1:0 Torino - match report
18.2 || webmaster
Scorer: Rebic 25 (M)
Ante Rebic proved decisive yet again, as Milan did just enough to earn their first Serie A victory over Torino since August 2016, moving into joint sixth with Verona and Parma.
The Rossoneri lost Hakan Calhanoglu, joining Lucas Biglia, Rade Krunic, Leo Duarte and suspended Andrea Conti in the stands, so Lucas Paqueta got his first start in almost three months. Toro lost here 4-2 in extra time in the Coppa Italia quarter-final last month, but Walter Mazzarri had since been dismissed, Moreno Longo losing his debut to Sampdoria. Armando Izzo sat out a ban with Simone Verdi suffering from flu and Simone Zaza only fit for the bench.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Pioli: 'Very proud of AC Milan'
14.2 || webmaster
Stefano Pioli was “very proud” of Milan after their 1-1 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Juventus, but wasn’t convinced by the decisive penalty.
Ante Rebic saw his opener cancelled out by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the final minute, while Theo Hernandez was sent off.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Maldini: 'Great AC Milan performance'
14.2 || webmaster
Paolo Maldini shrugged off questions about the referee and focused on “a great performance” from Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final with Juventus.
Ante Rebic had opened the scoring, but Theo Hernandez saw red for a second bookable offence and Cristiano Ronaldo converted a late penalty.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Coppa Italia, 1st leg: AC Milan 1:1 Juventus - match report
14.2 || webmaster
Scorers: Rebic 61 (M), Ronaldo pen 90 (J)
A controversial late Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave Juventus a 1-1 draw away to 10-man Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final, as Ante Rebic scored and Theo Hernandez saw red.
The second leg of this Coppa Italia semi-final will be in Turin on March 4, so away goals could make a big difference. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Samu Castillejo and Theo Hernandez will be suspended.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
AC Milan - Juventus sets attendance record
13.2 || webmaster
There have already been 70,000 tickets sold for Milan-Juventus tomorrow, making it the largest attendance in Coppa Italia semi-final history.
According to the latest reports, the Milan tickets have already sold out, so only a few remain to be snapped up by Juventus supporters.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
New injury for Biglia
13.2 || webmaster
Milan midfielder Lucas Biglia was on the verge of his comeback when he sprained his knee, reportedly with ligament damage.
According to multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia and Tuttomercatoweb, the Argentina international sprained his right knee with suspected collateral medial ligament damage during today’s training session.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Pioli: 'Angry with AC Milan players'
10.2 || webmaster
Milan coach Stefano Pioli confessed he was “angry with my players, because we had defensive duties” and didn’t stick to them in a 4-2 defeat to Inter.
The Rossoneri had dominated the first half, taking a 2-0 lead with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s assist for Ante Rebic, then scoring the second himself.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Ibrahimovic: 'Milan just stopped'
10.2 || webmaster
Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw Milan “stop playing, stop believing, stop pressing” as they fumbled a 2-0 lead to lose the derby. “I expected more from Inter.”
The Swede had been decisive in the first half, setting up Ante Rebic and then scoring the second goal himself, but Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino, Stefan de Vrij and Romelu Lukaku turned it around for 4-2.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Serie A: Inter 4:2 AC Milan - match report
10.2 || webmaster
Scorers: Rebic 40 (M), Ibrahimovic 45 (M), Brozovic 51 (I), Vecino 53 (I), De Vrij 70 (I), Lukaku R 94 (I)
Inter fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to win a pulsating Derby della Madonnina 4-2, putting them top of the table alongside Juventus.
It’s now an astonishing fight for the Scudetto, as Inter and Juventus have 54 points, followed by Lazio on 53.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Maldini Jr: 'Dream come true'
3.2 || webmaster
Daniel Maldini celebrated a “dream come true” after making his Serie A debut, becoming the third generation of Maldini to wear the Milan jersey.
The 17-year-old was a stoppage-time substitute in the 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona at San Siro on Sunday afternoon, following in the footsteps of father Paolo and grandfather Cesare.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Third generation of Maldini for AC Milan
3.2 || webmaster
Daniel Maldini has made his Serie A debut, the son of Paolo and grandson of Cesare marking the third generation of the family to play for Milan.
The 18-year-old creative midfielder came off the bench during stoppages in today’s 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Serie A: AC Milan 1:1 Verona - match report
3.2 || webmaster
Scorers: Faraoni 13 (V), Calhanoglu 28 (M)
Milan only managed a point against high-flying Hellas Verona, despite Sofyan Amrabat seeing red at San Siro, with both sides rattling the woodwork.
The Rossoneri were decimated, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Simon Kjaer had flu, Andrea Conti laid low by tonsillitis, Lucas Biglia and Rade Krunic injured, Ismael Bennacer suspended. Suso and Krzysztof Piatek were sold on transfer deadline day, so Ante Rebic and Rafael Leao were the only attacking options. Verona were only two points behind Milan going into this weekend and were missing just Eddie Salcedo.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Pioli: 'Ibrahimovic and Kjaer ill'
2.2 || webmaster
Stefano Pioli reveals Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer and Rade Krunic are likely to miss Milan’s clash with Hellas Verona. “We have more than a few problems.”
“Hellas Verona are in good shape, doing great work this season and will arrive at San Siro very determined. They run hard and it has been a difficult week for us,” said the coach in his press conference.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
Paqueta: 'I'm fine'
2.2 || webmaster
Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta has commented on the rumours surrounding an exit from the club. “I’m fine, and I will continue to do my best.”
The Brazilian had been heavily linked with a move away from San Siro, having fallen down the pecking order this season.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
AC Milan recall Laxalt from loan spell
2.2 || webmaster
Milan have recalled Diego Laxalt early from his season-long loan at Torino, because the deal for Wigan Athletic’s Antonee Robinson collapsed at the last minute.
It was a huge blow for the US international, because Robinson flew in this morning and had a medical.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
AC Milan make Saelemaekers signing
2.2 || webmaster
Milan have signed Alexis Saelemaekers from RSC Anderlecht, reportedly a loan at €3.5m with obligation to buy for a further €3.5m plus €1m in bonuses.
The 20-year-old is a right-sided winger who can also play in midfield or even at right-back for Anderlecht.
Read the rest on Football Italia.
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