The Archive

November 2018

Bonaventura out for nine months
27.11 || webmaster

Milan announced that Giacomo Bonaventura will be out of action for eight to nine months after knee surgery.

The Italy international went under the knife to repair an inflamed cartilage.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Ibrahimovic on Galaxy retained list
27.11 || webmaster

LA Galaxy have included Milan target Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their retained list for the upcoming MLS campaign.

Ibrahimovic has been heavily linked with Milan in recent weeks, but the Swede is nonetheless one of 16 players Galaxy intend to keep for the 2019 season.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Where AC Milan Need to Strengthen in the January Transfer Window
27.11 || webmaster

AC Milan lie in fourth place in Serie A after a late winner secured a 1-0 victory over Udinese at the weekend, with Gennaro Gattuso's side ahead of Lazio on goal difference but four points behind Napoli and Inter and ten points off runaway leaders Juventus.

If I Rossoneri are to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in six seasons – which is surely the aim of Leonardo, Maldini and the new American owners – then holding off the chasing pack may come down to whether or not investment is made in January.

Here’s a look at where Milan need to strengthen in the upcoming window:

Centre-Midfield

Milan need to strengthen in the middle of the park, despite the arrival of Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko on loan in the summer, with the Frenchman facing heavy criticism in the early part of the season due to a number of error-strewn performances.

With Lucas Biglia on the treatment table with a calf injury and Hakan Calhanoglu also sidelined, Bakayoko’s inclusion in the starting eleven alongside Franck Kessie emphasises what little depth AC have to challenge on multiple fronts and maintain a push for a top four finish. The problem however is that there will need to be a frugal approach to any additions to Gattuso’s side in the winter transfer window, given the financial mess the Americans have inherited from the previous owners and the sanctions imposed by UEFA for breaching financial fair play.

But there are economical solutions out there that can improve this squad. Cesc Fabregas is not getting game time at Chelsea and is reportedly keen on a move away from Stamford Bridge as a consequence, with the 31-year-old Spaniard potentially able to inject much-needed creativity into this midfield. Fabregas is out of contract at Chelsea next summer, so he will be available at a reduced rate in January otherwise he’ll be able to leave on a free in June.

Barcelona’s Denis Suarez is a viable alternative. The talented 24-year-old has not played a single minute in La Liga so far this term and his contract at the Nou Camp expires at the end of next season, so Milan may be able to hold the Catalans to ransom over the transfer fee for a player who clearly doesn’t feature in Ernesto Valverde’s plans.

A back-up striker

The injury sustained to Higuain at Udinese also highlighted the lack of depth Milan have in terms of attacking options, with Suso and Samu Castillejo becoming the focal point of the attack after the Argentinian was withdrawn in the first half, with Patrick Cutrone somewhat isolated.

Cutrone is a real asset to this side and blossoming into a world-class frontman, but his best work has been alongside HiguaIn in a 4-4-2 and with the extent of Higuain’s injury not fully known at this point, there is a glaring lack of options if he were to face an extended spell out at any point.

A short-term offer was made for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to return to the San Siro in January, when he will be in the midst of his MLS off-season, but the bid was rejected and the Swedish striker has since ruled out a move.

The Rossoneri are currently a best-priced 6/5 with the best bookies offers for 2018 to finish in Serie A’s top four this season, but quite simply, strength in depth is what is needed throughout the side, while any recruitment will have to come on a budget.

Milan are also involved in the Europa League and are 25/1 outsiders to win the tournament, behind favorites Chelsea and Arsenal who are 5/1 and 7/1 respectively with bookies Betfred.

Caldara: ‘Back in February’
26.11 || webmaster

Milan defender Mattia Caldara expects to be back around February but “I don’t want to push the time because there’s the risk of relapses”.

The centre-back joined the Rossoneri from Juventus in the summer, but he’s made only one appearance due to a series of injuries.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Paqueta farewell to Flamengo
26.11 || webmaster

Incoming Milan signing Lucas Paquetá says farewell to Flamengo - “this is just a see you later, not a goodbye”.

The 21-year-old will sign for the Rossoneri in January, with his final match to be against Atletico Paranaense next weekend.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Salvini: Gattuso 'best' for AC Milan, but...
26.11 || webmaster

Deputy PM Matteo Salvini insists Gennaro Gennaro is ‘Milan’s best Coach’ but maintains the draw with Lazio ‘would’ve ended differently with some changes’.

Salvini lashed out at Gattuso’s tactics after Milan fell to a last-gasp Lazio equaliser on Sunday, but the Rossoneri fan has now backtracked on his initial criticism.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan talks for Chelsea trio
26.11 || webmaster

Milan director Leonardo has reportedly been in talks with Chelsea for Cesc Fabregas, Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen.

Sport Mediaset and Radio Rossonera claim director Leonardo has been in phone conversations with Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso hits out after Salvini criticism
26.11 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso hit out at Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini after criticism of his Milan picks. “As an Italian, I’d have many things to say to Salvini about his work…”

Salvini is a passionate Rossoneri supporter and the leader of the right-wing anti-immigrant Lega Nord party.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: 'AC Milan in difficult moment'
26.11 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso believes Milan “pulled out something extra during difficult moments” after their 1-1 draw against Lazio.

Despite an apocalyptic injury list and Gonzalo Higuain suspended, the Rossoneri were leading until a 94th-minute Joaquin Correa half-volley.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Serie A: Lazio 1:1 AC Milan - match report
26.11 || webmaster

Scorers: Wallace og 78 (M), Correa 94 (L)

Franck Kessie’s deflected strike was cancelled out by a stoppage-time Joaquin Correa chest and volley, as Lazio and Milan share the spoils.

There was only one point separating them in this head-to-head for a Champions League spot. Milan Badelj stood in for Lucas Leiva, but Milan had to reinvent the team after losing Alessio Romagnoli, Mateo Musacchio, Mattia Caldara, Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura and suspended Gonzalo Higuain. Fabio Borini was adapted to the role of left wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan talks for Rodrigo Caio
14.11 || webmaster

Milan director Leonardo has reportedly met with San Paulo to discuss signing Rodrigo Caio, either for €8m or on loan with obligation to buy for €13m.

According to Sport Mediaset, negotiations are in full swing and there are different options on the table.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Report: Bonaventura to have surgery
14.11 || webmaster

It’s reported Giacomo Bonaventura and Milan have decided he requires knee surgery, so will be out for three to five months.

The Italy international had various tests and consultations today, with the verdict seemingly erring on the side of a surgical solution.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Higuain: ‘That’s my character’
14.11 || webmaster

Gonzalo Higuain explains “I’m a person with this character”, after the Milan striker was sent off against Juventus.

Pipita was facing his former club on Sunday night, and reacted furiously to being shown a late yellow card by referee Paolo Mazzoleni.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Monaco chief scout 'set for AC Milan'
14.11 || webmaster

Monaco chief scout Geoffrey Moncada is reportedly being lined up by Milan.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Moncada is leaving Monaco after six years in the principality to take up the same role at Milan.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: 'Higuain must control himself'
11.11 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso had seen Gonzalo Higuain’s emotional state as a problem ahead of the dismissal against Juventus. “He needs to learn to control himself.”

Pipita had a nightmare against his old club, seeing a penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny and then sent off for raging at the referee.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Serie A: AC Milan 0:2 Juventus - match report
11.11 || webmaster

Scorers: Mandzukic 8 (J), Ronaldo 81 (J)

Gonzalo Higuain had a nightmare against his former club, as he missed a penalty and was sent off in a rage when Juventus beat Milan 2-0.

Higuain shook off a back problem to start against his former teammates with Samu Castillejo, as Patrick Cutrone and Davide Calabria were not 100 per cent fit, with Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura, Mateo Musacchio, Mattia Caldara and Andrea Conti unavailable. Juve missed Juan Cuadrado and decided to leave Leonardo Bonucci on the bench, perhaps to protect him from the jeers of his former fans on this first return to San Siro.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Inter, AC Milan agree on San Siro works
9.11 || webmaster

Inter and Milan have officially agreed a deal to work "a modern, state-of-the-art stadium", likely a renovated San Siro.

The stadium is rented by both Milanese clubs, but they’re keen to take out a joint lease and effectively own the arena.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Suso: ‘Ask AC Milan about release clause’
9.11 || webmaster

Milan winger Suso doesn’t want to discuss his release clause - “these questions are more for Leonardo and Paolo Maldini”.

The Spaniard has a clause in his contract, believed to be around €38m, which can be activated by foreign clubs in the first two weeks of July.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Pato could return to AC Milan
9.11 || webmaster

Multiple reports state Milan are interested in bringing Alexandre Pato back to the club in January.

The Brazilian spent five-and-a-half seasons with the Rossoneri between 2007 and 2013, but his impact was limited by a series of injuries.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: 'AC Milan count who is left'
9.11 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso saw positives and negatives from Milan’s 1-1 draw with Betis, but with Juventus coming up has to “count how many players we have left.”

Suso’s free kick cancelled out an early Giovani Lo Celso strike in Seville for the Europa League result, which puts them in second place alongside Olympiacos, only one point behind Betis.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Europa League: Betis 1:1 AC Milan - match report
9.11 || webmaster

Scorers: Lo Celso 12 (B), Suso 62 (M)

Suso’s free kick gave Milan a valuable draw away to Real Betis, but Mateo Musacchio and Hakan Calhanoglu went off injured and the Europa League group has tightened up.

Olympiacos crushed Dudelange 5-1, so are now on seven points alongside Milan, while Betis are on top with eight.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Serie A: Udinese 0:1 AC Milan - match report
4.11 || webmaster

Scorer: Romagnoli 96 (M)

It was end-to-end stuff in Udine with chances for both sides, but Alessio Romagnoli scored another dramatic last-gasp winner for Milan.

The Rossoneri were seeking a third straight win to keep up with Lazio in fourth place, but missed Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Calabria and Mattia Caldara, so Tiemoue Bakayoko took control of midfield with Cristian Zapata getting a rare start in defence. The hosts were without Lukasz Teodorczyk, Giuseppe Pezzella, Svante Ingelsson and Emmanuel Badu, with Bram Nuytinck only fit for the bench. Antonin Barak also pulled out in the warm-up, so Seko Fofana stepped in.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Ibrahimovic wants longer AC Milan deal
4.11 || webmaster

Reports continue to spread that negotiations with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a Milan comeback are progressing well.

The striker is under contract with MLS club LA Galaxy, but could fly out to Italy next month, because they failed to qualify for the post season.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan face FFP tribunal Nov 12
4.11 || webmaster

Milan are expecting a fine and other sanctions from UEFA on November 12 as they take their Financial Fair Play status to the appeals tribunal.

The Rossoneri were originally excluded from Europe completely for breaching FFP rules over the summer, but managed to secure their reinstatement on appeal to the TAS (Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport).

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan face Caio competition
1.11 || webmaster

Milan reportedly face competition from Valencia and Zenit Saint Petersburg in their pursuit of Sao Paulo defender Rodrigo Caio.

The Rossoneri have lost Mattia Caldara to a torn thigh muscle, so may look to bolster their defence in January.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso praises 'great' Bakayoko
1.11 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso praised Tiemoue Bakayoko for his ‘great’ performance against Genoa on Wednesday but warned Milan ‘must improve’.

“I didn’t think we were good enough after going 1-0 up,” said the Coach after the Rossoneri’s 2-1 win.

Read the rest on Football Italia.