The Archive

June 2018

Costacurta: 'AC Milan not a surprise'
30.6 || webmaster

FIGC Vice-Commissioner Alessandro Costacurta said UEFA excluding Milan from Europe was “not a surprise. We must ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Rossoneri were penalised for Financial Fair Play violations with a one-season ban from European competition, after they had qualified for the Europa League group stages.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

United want Bonucci?
30.6 || webmaster

It is reported that Manchester United are continuing to pursue the services of Milan captain Leonardo Bonucci.

The former Juventus centre-back only joined the Rossoneri last summer and helped Gennaro Gattuso’s team finish sixth in Serie A and reach the final of the Coppa Italia.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Halilovic set to sign for AC Milan?
30.6 || webmaster

Alen Halilovic is reportedly on the verge of completing a free transfer to Milan and will sign a three-year contract.

The 22-year-old currently remains a Hamburg player, but his representatives are confident of doing a deal with the German club that will see him become a free agent.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Atletico want AC Milan’s Kalinic?
30.6 || webmaster

Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Milan forward Nikola Kalinic.

The Croatian has endured a frustrating season for both club and country. Having signed from Fiorentina on an initial loan deal last summer, he scored just six goals in his first year with the Rossoneri and fell out with Coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Commisso: No AC Milan conditions, but…
30.6 || webmaster

Italo-American tycoon Rocco Commisso admits there are currently no conditions for him to buy into Milan but still ‘hopes’ a deal can be reached.

Commisso had been close to a deal for €500m plus payment of the debt to Elliott Management, leaving 15-20 percent of the club to Li Yonghong.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Li remains at 30 per cent?
30.6 || webmaster

Yonghong Li is reportedly close to accepting Rocco Commisso’s offer for Milan, as long as he keeps at least 30 per cent of the shares.

The Chinese owner is struggling after his April 2017 takeover, and hedge fund Elliott Management had to provide the €32m for this month’s capital increase.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Marca: Suso offered to Real Madrid
28.6 || webmaster

Milan winger Suso has been offered to Real Madrid and has a €40m release clause, according to Spanish paper Marca.

The 24-year-old has also been linked with Inter, whose proposal of Antonio Candreva in exchange was rejected outright, and Atletico Madrid.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Commisso back in for AC Milan
28.6 || webmaster

Yonghong Li has seemingly realised Rocco Commisso’s offer to buy Milan is his best option and is back in advanced negotiations, it’s reported.

US billionaire Commisso had been close to a deal for €500m plus payment of the debt to Elliott Management, leaving 15-20 per cent of the club to Yonghong Li.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Halilovic: ‘Happy to be at AC Milan’
28.6 || webmaster

Alen Halilovic has completed the first part of his Milan medical ahead of a move from Hamburg, telling reporters “I’m happy”.

The Croatian, who had been on loan at Las Palmas, was expected to join Udinese, but he secretly arrived to join the Rossoneri last night.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Official: AC Milan appeal UEFA exclusion
27.6 || webmaster

Milan have, as expected, announced their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after UEFA excluded them from Europe for one year.

The punishment was handed down for Financial Fair Play violations and announced this afternoon.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: ‘Milan a perfect machine’
27.6 || webmaster

Coach Gennaro Gattuso calls Milan “a perfect machine”, and names failing to beat Juventus in Turin as the biggest regret from last season.

The former midfielder replaced Vincenzo Montella on the bench in November last year, having previously been coach of the youth side.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Is Europa League exclusion that bad?
27.6 || webmaster

Milan have been excluded from the Europa League, which will cost them around €20m, but it’s not necessarily all bad news.

UEFA finally announced its verdict today, excluding the Rossoneri from European competition for one season for Financial Fair Play violations.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Milan, what happens now?
27.6 || webmaster

As Milan are excluded from Europe for Financial Fair Play violations, Football Italia looks at the likely next steps for the Rossoneri.

The long-awaited decision by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body was handed down today, with the Rossoneri given a two-season ban.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

OFFICIAL: AC Milan out of Europe
27.6 || webmaster

Milan have been excluded from Europe for this season for Financial Fair Play violations, in one of the toughest sentences ever handed down.

It comes after the governing body rejected both a voluntary agreement and a settlement agreement, insisting their financial stability was unsustainable.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Elliott begin AC Milan takeover?
21.6 || webmaster

According to Il Sole 24 Ore, Elliott Management have begun their takeover of Milan by paying the €32m capital increase rather than Yonghong Li.

The Chinese patron was to meet another deadline imminently, but the €32m have been sent by US hedge fund Elliott and will be in the club’s bank account tomorrow.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Ricketts to invest in AC Milan?
21.6 || webmaster

Chicago Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts is reported to be one of the investors interested in taking a stake in Milan.

The Rossoneri are seeking new investment, not least because of UEFA’s doubts about current owner Yonghong Li.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan majority could be sold
21.6 || webmaster

It’s reported a new investor could take over a majority shareholding in Milan, reducing Yonghong Li to a minority owner.

Rossoneri CEO Marco Fassone was in London yesterday to meet with potential investors, as the club awaits UEFA’s Financial Fair Play verdict.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Inter in talks for Suso
21.6 || webmaster

Inter are in negotiations with Suso’s agent and Milan are open to a potential sale across San Siro, claim Sky Sport Italia.

Alessandro Lucci had several meetings with the Nerazzurri over the last few days and he also represents Davide Zappacosta, but it seems the discussion was about Suso.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Meyer holds AC Milan talks
21.6 || webmaster

Milan held talks with Max Meyer’s agent today, but face competition from several Premier League clubs and Hoffenheim.

Meyer turns 23 in September and will be a free agent when his contract with Schalke 04 expires at the end of this month.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

The Best players at the World Cup 2018
21.6 || webmaster

So whilst there will always be favourites to win the World Cup, you’ll strongly fancy some teams more than others due to their past form and how well their players have performed for their club sides throughout the season. Brazil to win World Cup odds are on many punters minds as they are the current 4/1 favourites. We have decided to list out the strongest statistical starting 11 for all of the players playing in the tournament and some of these might surprise you.

For example did you know that the best left back coming in to the tournament is 32 year-old Serbian defender Aleksander Kolarov? With an average match rating (based on WhoScored.com data) sitting at 7.52 he’s already scored a match-winning free kick for Serbia in the World Cup and might be one to keep an eye on.

Saudi Arabia to host Supercoppa
6.6 || webmaster

Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority has confirmed that the country will host next season’s Supercoppa between Juventus and Milan.

The news was confirmed in a tweet on the GSA’s official account, although the organisation erroneously referred to the Supercoppa as ‘the Serie A Final’ between the Scudetto holders and Coppa Italia runners-up.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Agent: ‘Bacca wants Villarreal’
6.6 || webmaster

Carlos Bacca’s agent confirms the striker wants to stay at Villarreal, but “he still has a two-year contract, so he’s still a Milan player”.

The Colombian international spent the last season on loan with the Yellow Submarine, but they’re hesitant about paying the €15.5m buyout clause.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan meet Monaco
6.6 || webmaster

Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli reportedly met with his Monaco counterpart Michael Emenalo in Turin earlier this week.

The Rossoneri director was pictured in the stands at Juventus Stadium for Italy’s draw with the Netherlands, where it’s believed he was watching Memphis Depay.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Atletico, Sevilla want Suso
6.6 || webmaster

Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are reportedly both interested in Milan winger Suso.

The Spaniard signed a new contract with the Rossoneri in September, tying him to the club until 2022.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

4 things AC Milan must do to be successful next season
6.6 || webmaster

The 2017/18 season was a disappointing one for AC Milan, but there were signs that manager Gennaro Gattuso has got the team heading in the right direction.

Milan finished in sixth place, 31 points behind champions Juventus, and Gattuso still has a big job on his hands to get closer next term.

An eight-point gap to fourth placed Inter Milan looks far more surmountable, but it will require a few changes to be made if Champions League football is to become a reality.

Read on as we look at four things Milan must do to be successful next season.

Improve their midfield

Milan have been linked with numerous midfielders already this summer and Gattuso has admitted it’s an area he is keen to strengthen.

Gattuso’s side are priced at 16/1 to win next season’s title, but check this out before wagering on the outcome.

Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini has been heavily tipped to move to the San Siro, although whether it is worth splashing huge wages on a 30-year-old is hugely debatable.

Nicolo Barella (Cagliari) and Jordan Veretout (Fiorentina) are other players who have been linked with Milan, while Tanguy Ndombele could be another option after impressing on loan at Lyon last season.

Sort out the goalkeeping situation

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been touted as Italy’s next big thing in the goalkeeping department, but the 19-year-old struggled at times for Milan last term.

However, he wasn’t helped by some haphazard defending in front of him and that is something that Gattuso will also need to resolve.

Milan have secured the services of Pepe Reina on a free transfer from Napoli and his experience could prove invaluable alongside Donnarumma – providing the youngster decides to stay at the San Siro.

Tweak the formation

Milan played with a 4-3-3 formation last season and switching to a 4-2-3-1 system could help the team’s solidity.

Former Manchester United winger Memphis Depay has been linked with Milan and he would bring some much-needed dynamism to the team’s attacking play.

The Dutchman was Lyon’s top scorer last season with 22 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions and his addition to the ranks would be a major boost.

Find someone to link-up with Calhanoglu

Hakan Calhanoglu is one of the best players to come out of Turkey in recent years, although he needs more help if Milan are to maximise his talents.

Patrick Cutrone scored 18 goals for Milan last season, but Gattuso desperately needs to add another proven striker to his squad to feed off Calhanoglu.

Milan are reportedly chasing Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, with Monaco’s Falcao an alternative option – either player would be a sensible signing for the club.

Milan stars hoping to make their mark at the World Cup in Russia
6.6 || webmaster

Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup has left numerous AC Milan stars kicking their heels this summer, but fans of the Rossoneri still have plenty of players they can follow in Russia.

The likes of Portugal and Argentina have a Milan presence in their respective squads, while some of the lesser fancied nations also contain players from the Serie A club.

Read on as we take a look at five Milan players hoping to make their mark at this summer’s tournament.

Andre Silva - Portugal

Portugal have struggled to find a forward who can lead the line and score goals. Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani shared the role at the European Championships in 2016, but Silva has impressed as the main striker during qualifying for the World Cup.

Silva joined Milan in June 2017 and has scored just twice in 24 appearances for the club, but 12 goals in 21 matches for his country highlights that the 22-year-old knows where the back of the net is.

Lucas Biglia - Argentina

Biglia’s participation at the World Cup was in doubt after he suffered back injury playing for Milan back in April. However, he has been chosen in Argentina’s 23-man squad and should be a regular in their starting line-up.

The 32-year-old made 13 appearances during qualifying and featured in all seven matches as Argentina reached the final four years ago. The two-time winners are priced at around 9/1 to win the World Cup, but check out this bet365 bonus code online offer before wagering on the outcome.

Cristian Zapata - Colombia

Colombia are not the force they once were, and it is hard to see them progressing beyond the last 16 this summer.

Zapata is included in the squad despite playing just 12 times for Milan this season and this is likely to be his last appearance at the finals. The 31-year-old has been capped 54 times by Colombia, but he has been in and out of their starting line-up over the past year.

Ricardo Rodriguez – Switzerland

Switzerland are a difficult side to break down and they will fancy their chances of progressing from Group E alongside Brazil.

Rodriguez was on target for Switzerland in their 1-1 friendly draw against Spain last weekend and the full-back is expected to be a permanent fixture in the side this summer. He has won 51 caps for his country and is one of the most reliable defenders in Europe.

Nikola Kalinic - Croatia

Kalinic has endured a miserable season with Milan, scoring just six goals in 41 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Striker Mario Mandzukic, who clinched yet another Serie A title with Juventus, is likely to lead the line for Croatia and Kalinic could find his game time limited in Russia.

Gattuso: ‘Signings must have desire’
5.6 || webmaster

Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso expects this summer’s signings to have the same “desire” of his current squad.

The Rossoneri finished sixth in the season which has just ended, with the former midfielder replacing Vincenzo Montella in November and doing enough to earn a new contract.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

OFFICIAL: Romagnoli renews with AC Milan
5.6 || webmaster

Milan have announced that defender Alessio Romagnoli has extended his contract with the club until 2022.

Romagnoli’s new deal was revealed in a live broadcast on Milan’s official Facebook page, surely bringing an end to the speculation linking the 23-year-old with Juventus.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso watches Depay
5.6 || webmaster

Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso was at Juventus Stadium to watch Memphis Depay against Italy last night, according to reports.

The Rossoneri have been heavily linked with a move for the Lyon winger, who played 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with the Azzurri last night.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Saudi Arabian Supercoppa?
5.6 || webmaster

The Lega Serie A will today decide when the Supercoppa Italiana between Juventus and Milan will be played, with Saudi Arabia the likely host.

The Bianconeri won both Serie A and the Coppa Italia, so the beaten cup finalists will take them on for the Super Cup.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Montolivo to terminate AC Milan deal?
5.6 || webmaster

It is reported that Riccardo Montolivo is in talks to terminate his contract with Milan a year early.

The 33-year-old’s deal with the Rossoneri runs until the summer of 2019, but it appears he may depart the club sooner.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Yonghong Li accepts investors?
3.6 || webmaster

Milan patron Yonghong Li has agreed to accept an outside investor to help refinance his debt to Elliott Management, claim Mediaset Premium.

The Chinese businessman has surprisingly been in Italy since Tuesday and Milan Channel noted he flew back to Hong Kong today.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Atletico and AC Milan eye Callejon
3.6 || webmaster

Jose Callejon has a €23m release clause with Milan and Atletico Madrid interested in the Napoli winger.

The 31-year-old has been at the Stadio San Paolo since 2013, but could be open to moving on after Maurizio Sarri was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Villarreal haggle over Bacca
3.6 || webmaster

Villarreal are not prepared to pay the agreed €15.5m fee for Carlos Bacca and want to renegotiate with Milan, it’s reported.

The Colombia international has said repeatedly he is happy in Spain and wants to make the move permanent.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Falcao-Silva swap intensifies
3.6 || webmaster

Reports continue to grow that Milan will exchange Portugal international Andre Silva with Monaco veteran Radamel Falcao.

Rossoneri director of sport Massimiliano Mirabelli fuelled the rumours when he attended Colombia’s friendly match against Egypt on Friday evening.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Badelj leans towards Napoli
3.6 || webmaster

Milan Badelj has opted to join Napoli as a free agent, preferring them to Roma and Milan, according to Sportitalia.

The Croatia international decided against signing a new contract with Fiorentina, so is free to choose his next club.

Read the rest on Football Italia.