The Archive

January 2019

AC Milan back in for Carrasco loan
30.1 || webmaster

Milan have reportedly made one final attempt to sign Yannick Carrasco, as Dalian Yifang are now open to a six-month loan deal.

According to Sky Sport Italia and Sportitalia, the Chinese Super League club decided to lower their demands.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan 'want Nice winger, but...'
30.1 || webmaster

Milan are reportedly keen on Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin but will find it ‘very difficult’ to sign him before Thursday.

According to Milan News, the Rossoneri like Saint-Maximin ‘very much’ and have already planned a summer assault for the Frenchman.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Piatek: 'It's just the start'
30.1 || webmaster

Krzysztof Piatek was not surprised by his sensational full Milan debut against Napoli. “I expected a night like this, but it’s just the start.”

The former Genoa striker had his first start in the Rossoneri jersey and scored twice in the opening 27 minutes of a 2-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Coppa Italia: AC Milan 2:0 Napoli - match report
30.1 || webmaster

Scorers: Piatek 10, 27 (M)

Krzysztof Piatek made the perfect full Milan debut with a brace to beat Napoli 2-0, sending them into the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Inter or Lazio.

Piatek was given his first start, having made his Rossoneri debut in a 0-0 draw with Napoli in Serie A on Saturday evening, but Cristian Zapata, Pepe Reina, Lucas Biglia and Jack Bonaventura were injured. The Partenopei had Allan back after transfer speculation with PSG, but Marek Hamsik was still only fit for the bench, with Dries Mertens, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon rested.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan: Six out for Napoli
28.1 || webmaster

Milan are without six first-teamers for their Coppa Italia quarter-final against Napoli on Tuesday.

Ivan Strinic joins Pepe Reina, Cristian Zapata, Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura and Mattia Caldara on the treatment table with a calf injury, although Milan News assures he will be back at the weekend.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Agent: Carrasco wants Dalian exit
28.1 || webmaster

Yannick Carrasco’s agent has confirmed that the reported Inter and Milan target wants to leave Dalian Yifang this month.

Milan were thought to be leading the Italian interest in Carrasco until Inter reportedly joined the race for the ex-Atletico Madrid winger at the weekend, and Christophe Henrotay claimed his client’s family were ‘having problems’ in China.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: Piatek like Tomasson
28.1 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso has likened Milan new boy Krzysztof Piatek to Jon Dahl Tomasson and says Mattia Caldara and Lucas Biglia should be back ‘in a week’.

Tomasson failed to hold down a first-team place at Milan but scored 35 goals between 2002 and 2005, winning a Champions League and earning praise for his battling qualities, and Gattuso sees some of the Dane in Piatek.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

'Higuain not welcome in Milan!'
28.1 || webmaster

Deputy Italian PM Matteo Salvini ‘hopes Gonzalo Higuain doesn’t show his face in Milan again’ and believes the Rossoneri are better without him.

Salvini had already declared his ‘happiness’ that Higuain left Milan for Chelsea last week, as well as calling for the striker to be given a ‘long’ ban for his red card against Juventus.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan: Watford set Deulofeu price?
28.1 || webmaster

Watford reportedly value Gerard Deulofeu at €30m, which would price Milan out of a deal to bring back the winger.

It was first reported last week that Milan were working on Deulofeu’s return, but Tuttomercatoweb warns Watford are demanding €30m for the Spaniard.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan and Liverpool scout Tonali
28.1 || webmaster

Milan and Liverpool had scouts watching Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali last night, joining Roma and Inter for the €30m-rated teen.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, representatives from both the San Siro and Anfield giants were in the stands for the 4-4 Serie B draw with Spezia on Sunday evening.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: 'No Piatek-Cutrone pairing'
27.1 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso was pleased with Milan’s goalless draw against Napoli, but warned Krzysztof Piatek and Patrick Cutrone won’t play together for a while.

The Rossoneri held out with a clean sheet at San Siro, even against a side that fielded Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens, Arkadiusz Milik and Jose Callejon from the start.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Serie A: AC Milan 0:0 Napoli - match report
27.1 || webmaster

Gianluigi Donnarumma and David Ospina made several crucial saves, but Milan and Napoli were unable to get a goal on Krzysztof Piatek’s debut, with Fabian Ruiz harshly sent off.

Carlo Ancelotti surprised by launching a new all-attack formation with Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, Arkadiusz Milik and Jose Callejon together. Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly returned from a two-match ban, while Marek Hamsik was not fully fit. Krzysztof Piatek was on the bench just days after his transfer from Genoa, with Gonzalo Higuain going to Chelsea, with Cristian Zapata, Pepe Reina, Jack Bonaventura, Lucas Biglia and Mattia Caldara injured.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Abanda confirms AC Milan move
24.1 || webmaster

French starlet Leroy Abanda has thanked Monaco ‘for everything’ ahead of his proposed switch to Milan.

Abanda wrote the message on his Instagram story with a loveheart, suggesting a move to Milan was imminent.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan revenue growth stagnant
24.1 || webmaster

Milan are the top European club with the least growth in revenue over the last 10 years, just 2% compared to Inter’s 66.7%, claim Calcio e Finanza.

The website focusing entirely on the financial aspects of the sport calculated the revenue increases from 2008 to 2018, finding some intriguing results.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

OFFICIAL: Piatek signs for AC Milan
24.1 || webmaster

Krzysztof Piatek has officially joined Milan in a deal worth €35m plus bonuses after 19 goals in 21 games for Genoa.

“AC Milan is delighted to announce the acquisition of Krzysztof Piątek from Genoa Cricket and Football Club. The Polish forward has signed a contract with AC Milan until June 30, 2023.”

Read the rest on Football Italia.

OFFICIAL: Higuain joins Chelsea
24.1 || webmaster

Gonzalo Higuain has officially signed on loan for Chelsea from Juventus, via Milan. “When the opportunity presented itself, I had to take it.”

The striker arrived in London this morning for his medical and put pen to paper on the contract this evening, choosing the Number 9 jersey.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Cutrone: 'Bye Higuain, hello Piatek'
23.1 || webmaster

Patrick Cutrone saluted Gonzalo Higuain ahead of the transfer to Chelsea and welcomed new teammate Krzysztof Piatek to Milan.

The transfer merry-go-round is in full swing today, with Higuain in London for his medical and Genoa striker Piatek set to sign this evening for €35m plus bonuses.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Piatek to AC Milan imminent
23.1 || webmaster

Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek will become an Milan player imminently after passing his medical.

Piatek took his medical at La Madonnina clinic on Wednesday morning, and the Pole is now on his way to Casa Milan to sign a four-year contract with the Rossoneri.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Date set for Caldara return?
23.1 || webmaster

Milan defender Mattia Caldara will reportedly return to full fitness next month.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan expect to have Caldara available ‘around the middle of February’.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Tonali: 'Dream to work with Gattuso'
22.1 || webmaster

Sandro Tonali has always “dreamed of being coached by Gennaro Gattuso” at Milan, but wants to bring Brescia into Serie A first.

The 18-year-old has already received a call-up for the senior Italy squad and was linked with most big clubs in Italy and Europe, including Juventus, Inter, Napoli, Roma, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Piatek arrives, Higuain can leave
22.1 || webmaster

The domino effect has begun, as Krzysztof Piatek will be in Milan tonight, allowing Gonzalo Higuain to fly out for Chelsea and Alvaro Morata to Atletico Madrid.

The January transfer window is in full swing with strikers needing to wait for other deals before they can complete their own moves.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan close to PSV winger Bergwijn
22.1 || webmaster

Milan are close to a deal for PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn, on loan with option to buy for €20m, according to reports.

The final details with Genoa for Krzysztof Piatek were finalised today and the centre-forward will have a medical tomorrow, at a cost of €35m plus €2-3m in bonuses.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Zapata suffers thigh injury
22.1 || webmaster

Milan defender Cristian Zapata risks at least a month out after suffering a thigh injury.

Zapata pulled up just 14 minutes into Milan’s 2-0 win at Genoa on Monday, and the Rossoneri have since confirmed the Colombian ‘injured the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh’.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Fenerbahce want Zapata
22.1 || webmaster

Turkish giants Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in signing Milan defender Cristian Zapata.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s website, Zapata [pictured, left] is ‘in the sights’ of Fener, who want to ‘sign him immediately’.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Borini: Never close to China
22.1 || webmaster

Milan forward Fabio Borini insists ‘I was never close to China’ after his goal against Genoa on Monday.

Borini put speculation linking him with Shenzhen FC behind him at Marassi, replacing Samu Castillejo in Milan’s attack and scoring in a 2-0 victory.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

AC Milan starlet 'set for Bordeaux'
22.1 || webmaster

Milan starlet Raoul Bellanova is reportedly close to joining French side Bordeaux on a free transfer.

According to L’Equipe, Bellanova has agreed terms with Bordeaux and his family has travelled for talks with Hugo Varela, sporting director of the Ligue 1 club.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Serie A: Genoa 0:2 AC Milan - match report
22.1 || webmaster

Scorers: Borini 72 (M), Suso 82 (M)

Milan started life without Gonzalo Higuain with a crucial 2-0 victory away to Genoa, as Fabio Borini and Suso goals put them back in fourth place.

This game was played in a very strange atmosphere for several reasons. The kick-off time was moved to a Monday afternoon amid security concerns, so local fans refused to attend. Gennaro Gattuso was suspended, along with Franck Kessie, Davide Calabria and Alessio Romagnoli, while Lucas Biglia, Mattia Caldara and Jack Bonaventura were injured. Gonzalo Higuain didn’t make the trip, as he was distracted by an imminent move to Chelsea. Milan were in advanced talks with his replacement, Krzysztof Piatek of Genoa, who didn’t play today because of a ban.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Trio banned for AC Milan
17.1 || webmaster

Milan will have to do without Franck Kessie, Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria against Genoa, as they’ll be suspended after the Supercoppa.

The Rossoneri were beaten 1-0 in Jeddah by Juventus this evening and it proved costly going forward in Serie A too.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Romagnoli rants at Supercoppa ref
17.1 || webmaster

Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli claims they were “booked or sent off at every minimal contact” with Juventus in the Supercoppa.

The Bianconeri won 1-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo glancing header, but Franck Kessie saw red after a VAR review for his high tackle on Emre Can.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Higuain: If you're looking for trouble...
17.1 || webmaster

Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain warned reporters ‘if you’re looking for trouble with me, you’ll never get it.’

MilanNews snapped up footage of Higuain after he landed at Milan Malpensa airport in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Batshuayi or Piatek for AC Milan
17.1 || webmaster

Chelsea blocked Michy Batshuayi’s loan to Monaco because they could send him to Milan as a Gonzalo Higuain replacement, if Krzysztof Piatek proves too expensive.

The various elements of the striker merry-go-round are coming together and they all rotate around Higuain’s desire to reunite with Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Sky: Chelsea agree Higuain terms
17.1 || webmaster

Juventus and Chelsea have agreed terms on a complex loan with option to extend – which could become an obligation – for Gonzalo Higuain, claim Sky Sport Italia.

The Stamford Bridge side will sign Higuain on a six-month loan until June, but with obligation of a further one-season loan dependent on certain targets achieved by both the player and the team.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Italian SuperCup: Juventus 1:0 AC Milan - match report
17.1 || webmaster

Scorer: Ronaldo 61 (J)

Juventus have become the first club to win the Supercoppa eight times, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s header was decisive, but Milan were furious about two refereeing decisions.

The Super Cup is traditionally between the Scudetto winners and Coppa Italia holders, but as Juve did the Double last year, they faced the losing Coppa Finalists Milan in Jeddah. These were the two most successful clubs in the history of the competition on seven wins apiece.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Managers That AC Milan Deserves
17.1 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso is a lovely human being and a great man motivator, but it seems like he is not the man to take AC Milan forward trophy wise. The ex midfielder and icon for any defensive combative midfielder has taken this Milan team as far as they can go and now the best step for everyone involved will be to thank him for his services, maybe give him a director of football role or some other type of backroom staff role and appoint a proven manager who can actually win titles.

In this article we will look at three potential successors to Gattuso's managerial chair and look at the chances they have to take the AC Milan hot seat and how well they might do once appointed.

Antonio Conte

The former Juventus, Italy and Chelsea manager was linked to the AC Milan job during the summer, but it seemed like he was too preoccupied negotiating his exit from Chelsea and completely ignored possible destinations such as Real Madrid and AC Milan.

However, things seems to have changed, and the Italian looks to be the best candidate when it comes to finding a manager that combines managerial skills, tactical knowledge, man motivation skills, and a proven winning record. On top of that, Conte knows Italian football inside out and he will need next to no time to adapt, something that is not true for other candidates.

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane knows Italian football, as he played for Juventus for a long time, but he doesn't know the current atmosphere in Serie A, so he might need some adapting. This will be one of the drawbacks to appointing the serial Real Madrid winner.

However, other than that, Zidane seems to be one of the best candidates that AC Milan can appoint. He knows the language, knows the culture, has won everything there is to win and will strike fear in opposition teams. Appointing Zidane as the manager of your team is like being in the company of acegamblers while playing popular casino games. You cannot lose with company such as that.

Claudio Ranieri

Ranieri is one of the best managers to have ever managed in the game. The legendary Italian has taken a team such as Leicester and turned them from a mid-table club to a winner of probably the most competitive league in the world, the English Premier League.

Claudio is an absolute magician when it comes to tailoring an attacking and a defensive plan for each match and he has proven that during his time at both Chelsea, Leicester and all the other clubs he managed in his illustrious career.

Acquiring Ranieri as a coach would resemble getting the Best bonus with deposit money totalling close to zero, as the Italian is the cheapest option of the three managers on the list. His appointment would be similar to entering a casino with a handful of dollars and leaving, potentially, with millions.

Balotelli sends Piatek to AC Milan?
15.1 || webmaster

Milan continue negotiations with Genoa for Krzysztof Piatek, as it’s reported the Grifone want Mario Balotelli as a replacement.

Gonzalo Higuain is pushing for a move to Chelsea, via his parent club Juventus, and Milan director Leonardo has remained in Italy for meetings rather than follow the team to Jeddah for tomorrow’s Supercoppa match.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Romagnoli: 'Anything can happen'
15.1 || webmaster

Alessio Romagnoli insists Milan “are stronger now” than when they beat Juventus in the 2016 Supercoppa. “Anything can happen.”

“We have positive sensations, it’s a lovely atmosphere and wonderful to be here playing for an important trophy that can give a positive slant to our season,” said the captain in his Press conference.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: 'Higuain never asked to leave'Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso claims Gonzalo Higuain “never told me he wants to leave. He has to decide how to resolve the issue” with Chelsea. The Italian Super Cup against Juventus kicks off in Jeddah on Wednesday at 17.30 GMT.
15.1 || webmaster

Milan Coach Gennaro Gattuso claims Gonzalo Higuain “never told me he wants to leave. He has to decide how to resolve the issue” with Chelsea.

The Italian Super Cup against Juventus kicks off in Jeddah on Wednesday at 17.30 GMT.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Piatek 'very close' to AC Milan
15.1 || webmaster

Krzysztof Piatek is reportedly ‘very close’ to Milan as Leonardo is staying in Italy to close a deal with Genoa.

According to Sport Mediaset, Milan chiefs Paolo Scaroni, Ivan Gazidis and Paolo Maldini are representing the club in Saudi Arabia, where they will also discuss Gonzalo Higuain’s future.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Gattuso: 'Higuain has made his choice'
12.1 || webmaster

Gennaro Gattuso practically confirmed Gonzalo Higuain wants to quit Milan for Chelsea. “When a player makes choices, it’s difficult to convince him otherwise. One can try.”

Patrick Cutrone came off the bench in extra time and scored both goals with spectacular volleys, beating Sampdoria 2-0 at Marassi to set up a Coppa Italia quarter-final clash with Napoli or Sassuolo.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Cutrone: 'Glad I could help'
12.1 || webmaster

Patrick Cutrone was “glad to have been helpful to my teammates” after his brace beat Sampdoria and put Milan in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

The youngster came off the bench for extra time and proved decisive with two splendid volleys on assists from Andrea Conti and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Coppa Italia: Sampdoria 0:2 AC Milan (AET) - match report
12.1 || webmaster

Scorer: Cutrone 102, 108 (M)

Lucas Paquetá made his debut, but Milan needed two sensational volleys from extra time substitute Patrick Cutrone to knock Sampdoria out of the Coppa Italia.

The Rossoneri go on to face Napoli or Sassuolo in the quarter-final.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Calabria: Higuain is AC Milan's Ronaldo
10.1 || webmaster

Davide Calabria claims that while Gonzalo Higuain is ‘having a tough time’ right now, the Milan striker is ‘our Cristiano Ronaldo’.

Higuain has scored just six Serie A goals this season and is being linked with Chelsea, but Calabria made it clear the Argentine was key to Milan’s hopes against Juventus in the Supercoppa next Wednesday.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Calhanoglu to Leipzig back on?
10.1 || webmaster

Hakan Calhanoglu’s proposed switch to RB Leipzig from Milan is reportedly back on.

Calhanoglu only stated two days ago that he was staying at Milan after it was claimed Gennaro Gattuso had vetoed his move to Leipzig.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Higuain sparks merry-go-round
9.1 || webmaster

Gonzalo Higuain is pushing for a Chelsea move, but any deal would have to also suit Milan, Juventus and Alvaro Morata.

Multiple reports suggest Higuain is determined to reunite with his old Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Calhanoglu: AC Milan exit 'out of question'
9.1 || webmaster

Hakan Calhanoglu has affirmed that leaving Milan is ‘out of the question right now’.

Calhanoglu had been linked with a return to German football, amidst speculation RB Leipzig had agreed a deal for the midfielder.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Leonardo: 'Higuain must get to work'
9.1 || webmaster

Milan director Leonardo had harsh words for Gonzalo Higuain, while confirming there were “no formal offers for Fabio Borini or Alen Halilovic.”

He spoke to the media after the presentation Press conference for Lucas Paquetá and did not hold back on unsettled Higuain.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Agent: Clubs want Cutrone, but...
7.1 || webmaster

Patrick Cutrone’s agent admits Spanish and German clubs have shown interest in the striker, but ‘he wants to keep doing well for Milan’.

Cutrone has followed up his breakthrough campaign for Milan with seven more goals this season, and Donato Orgnoni revealed the Italy starlet was ‘trying to steal as many things as possible’ from Gonzalo Higuain.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Paqueta eyes 'big' AC Milan trophies
7.1 || webmaster

Lucas Paqueta has expressed his desire to ‘help Milan get back on the road to victory and win big trophies again’.

Paqueta introduced himself to Milan fans in a video message on the club’s new Portuguese-language site, which coincided with his €45m arrival from Flamengo.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Report: AC Milan track Tielemans
7.1 || webmaster

Milan are reportedly keeping tabs on Monaco and Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans.

According to La Stampa, Tielemans is ‘warmly recommended’ by Milan’s new chief scout Geoffrey Moncada, who took him to Monaco.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Arsenal favourites for Carrasco?
7.1 || webmaster

Arsenal have reportedly emerged as favourites to sign Dalian Yifang winger and Milan target Yannick Carrasco.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Carrasco wants to sign for a Premier League club and has ‘given his approval’ to Arsenal, despite interest from Manchester United.

Read the rest on Football Italia.

Tianjin arrest pushes Pato to AC Milan?
7.1 || webmaster

The arrest of Tianjin Quanjian’s owner could reportedly push striker Alexandre Pato back to Milan.

According to the New York Times, Chinese authorities have arrested Quanjian Group founder Shu Yuhui after ‘the death of a young girl with cancer was linked to the company and sparked anger online’, while his medicine firm had previously been investigated over allegations of false marketing.

Read the rest on Football Italia.