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Schumacher enjoys testing slicks 17 April 2008 On Wednesday Michael Schumacher returned behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car at Circuit de Catalunya. The German ex-Formula One driver completed a day of testing with the Italian team to help them, and tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, with testing the Bridgestone slicks in Spain. Michael Schumacher finished his career as active F1 race driver at the end of the 2006 Formula One season, but he still enjoys to help out Ferrari now and then. In the last six months he joined the team four times at a test session. "A Formula 1 car is still great to race," said Schumacher after his day of testing in Spain. "I really enjoy driving this Ferrari and I must admit I have really enjoyed my day of testing again. We have been working on the 2009 tyre specifications (slicks) and made good progress with the rest of the team's test programme. "It was interesting testing with slicks here because they offer you a lot of grip and they are very different compared to the current tyres Formula 1 is using."

Schumacher confident Ferrari can win in Spain Michael Schumacher believes the Ferrari team can win next week's Spanish Grand Prix. According to the German the competition is hard, but Ferrari's package is slightly better currently than McLaren and BMW. Schumacher completed a day of testing on Wednesday for Ferrari. "There are currently three teams fighting in front of the field but I believe Ferrari is just ahead of the rest," said Schumacher. "That is why I believe Felipe Massa or Kimi Raikkonen will win next week's race here in Spain. "I must admit I really enjoy this year's championship. There is a fight between three strong teams. This is really good for the sport to see such a great battle for victory."

Circuit de Catalunya - Spain 16 April 2008 1 F. Alonso 01:18.483 100 2 M. Schumacher 01:19.323 83 3 A. Sutil 01:19.424 102 4 R. Kubica 01:19.785 112 5 N. Rosberg 01:19.841 65 6 R. Barrichello 01:19.920 141 7 L. Hamilton 01:20.591 102 8 S. Bourdais 01:20.715 71 9 M. Webber 01:20.849 87 10 J. Trulli 01:20.867 90

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THE DUTY TO WIN Three days from the clash at San Siro against Reggina, the Rossoneri’s captain spoke about the determination from the squad to do well in this final part of the season – PAOLO MALDINI’S WORDS - MILANELLO – These are the declarations of the Rossoneri’s captain, Paolo Maldini, at the microphones of Milan Channel, today at the Rossoneri's sports centre of Milanello: Captain, there are still five games left and after the match against Cagliari the San Siro jinx has been broken… “Apart from the games which we play at home or away, we must only think to move forward and give the best in these last five league games. From our part we can only give our best commitment each time we go on the pitch and with regards reaching the fourth place, we can only hope in a slip by Fiorentina which is now not thinkable, but Milan still has the same duty to try and win all the next five league games." With the brace that Filippo Inzaghi scored in Turin, he reached twelve goals in official games this season. Do you believe that he deserves a place in Roberto Donadoni's team for the European Championship in June? “There are many players who are aspiring for a place in Euro 2008: Del Piero, Borriello, Pippo too…These are not easy choices and I would not want to be in the position of the national team coach whose job is difficult due to these choices. In general I believe that Donadoni must aim on those players who have been a group in these last two years during the qualifications, then, also due to the last minute physical conditions, the coach can complete the list of the called-up players.” In these days there has been a lot of talk about the interest of many teams towards Gattuso. What do you think? “I read on the newspapers that there are many requests for Rino, but I believe that there always have been. There are no doubts on the intentions of the club to hold him at Milan and not even Rino wants to leave.” Often it is written and said about a Milan side which needs to be revived lately. Your judgement? “I don’t believe that there is a Milan which needs to be revived. This team has won a prestigious competition like the World Club Cup just last December, not twenty years ago. Therefore I believe that we have to talk about continuity of this group and not re-birth."

I'M BACK Massimo Oddo has returned to Milanello today to prepare with his team mates after the operation to his left knee in the first days of April. - THE DECLARATIONS - MILANELLO - Massimo Oddo came back to Milanello today for the first time following the operation to his left knee which he was subjected to the last 2 April. Here are the declarations made by the Milan and national team defender to Milan Channel's microphones: "Personally I feel good, I think I've recovered well from the operation and I've already done some personalised training. Now I'm working with the whole squad again and we will see in the next few days. I always followed each game played by the team, and I've seen some games in which we played really well, but were quite unlucky as we have been for some time now. Considering our performances, we deserved more, unfortunately saturday we went home without any points from Turin. Now we have to win every game to achieve our objective. We have to go on the pitch thinking game after game, starting from Sunday's game against Reggina and then hope the other teams competing with us for a Champions League spot slip up. I don't think I'm ready to play already on Sunday, but I am available and we will evaluate carefully when I can play again."

Flamengo Set For Ronaldo Talks Flamengo president Marcelo Braga will meet with Ronaldo's representative Fabiano Farah at a lunch meeting on Thursday. Braga goes into the meeting with an open mind and ready to listen to what Farah will propose, but it is known that Flamengo are keen on Ronaldo playing for the club once he returns from injury, even if it is just a short spell to regain full fitness before going back to AC Milan. "I will go to the lunch to hear what they have to say. Perhaps they want Ronaldo to play for Flamengo. If that is the case then that would be excellent," Braga told Globo Esporte. Ronaldo has been using Flamengo's medical facilities as the starts the rehabilitation process that will hopefully have him back to fitness at some point in early 2009, and has stated to the press that he would like to play for the club, although he conceded that the negotiations could be complicated. O Fenômeno was present at the Maracanã to witness Flamengo's Taça Rio semi-final with Botafogo this past Sunday, and seeing the crowd reaction to his presence has made Braga even more determined to get him playing in the famous black and red at some point next year.

We Can Do It, Insists Oddo Milan defender Massimo Oddo still believes his side can qualify for the Champions League despite their poor form this season. The stopper underwent knee surgery on April 2nd but he remains confident in his team’s ability to show their strength and squeeze themselves into fourth place. The Rossoneri are currently fifth in Serie A and four points behind Fiorentina following a pretty disatrous season by their standards. “I have been following my team from the treatment room and I have seen them in great shape, but we have been unlucky,” Oddo told Milan Channel. “Now we have to win our five remaining games and only that way we will be able to reach our objectives. “I am fine, and following the operation I am looking forward to returning to action.” The Rossoneri have been poor for most of the season both domestically and in Europe. It’s going to take a massive push for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to reach their objectives. Anything less than a win against Reggina this weekend will surely mean Arrivederci Champions League.

Milan Puzzled By Pato Injury Mystery Alexandre Pato is no closer to returning to action, and his current injury has left the doctors at Milan puzzled. The teenager has made a stunning start to his career at San Siro, and has scored seven goals in just 14 Serie A appearances. However he has been sidelined with a mysterious muscular injury in his adductor muscle, and has missed the games against Cagliari and Juventus. Milan doctors have undergone tests on the striker, but have been unable to find anything wrong with him. Pato is still unable to train with the first team, and cannot run, or kick the ball without feeling pain. This is all a matter of concern to Milan, who will be hoping that there isn’t a repeat of the whole Ronaldo scenario. Before suffering his serious injury in February, El Fenomeno was also sidelined by a similarly mysterious injury which did not show up in tests. Pippo Inzaghi will continue to deputise for Pato against Reggina this weekend, and will be hoping to continue his hot-streak, having scored four goals in his last two games.

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Raúl Backs Barça For European Success Real Madrid striker Raúl has reiterated the words of club president Ramon Calderon, stating that he would like to see Barcelona take Champions League glory this season. Calderon stated earlier in the week that he "would be very happy if Barcelona won the Champions League,” as "it would be better if a Spanish team wins it," and Raúl shares the view of the club president. "I want for a Spanish team to win the Champions League, I have always said that," he told Marca. "There are two very attractive semi-finals that we would like to have played in and it is clear that if Barcelona does not win the title then it would be good for Liverpool to do so because they have a Spanish coach and many Spanish players." With Madrid knocked out at the hands of Roma in the first knockout stage, Raúl will take a watching brief next week during the semi-finals and is looking forward to watching some exciting games of football. "I will take the time to sit down and enjoy watching the games on television and hope that the teams that play best will win," he asserted. While Raúl and Calderon have got behind the Spanish cause, other Madrid players such as Guti and Gonzalo Higuain have been far less supportive, with Higuain quite clearly stating that he did "not want Barcelona to go through" before their quarter final tie with Schalke 04.

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