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THE DERBY? I LIVE IT PEACEFULLY Without fears, always with his head held high, Clarence Seedorf spoke today during the press conference. Topics? Derby, final part of the season and sharp responses – SEEDORF’S DECLARATIONS - Clarence Seedorf was present for today’s press conference at Milanello, where he faced many topics on which he was called to respond. First of all the team’s performance in the league: "We know that we did not give our best. We have never been consistent in the home results, but there wasn’t just this factor. I think that since Kaka modified his tactical attitude the team took advantage of it. Yes, because it’s fair that he helps out in the defensive phase, but one with his characteristics it’s not correct that he goes back too much. I say that both of us find ourselves always better on the tactical level. Another thing which has affected is the condition, which we found only in the final part of the season. When you know you have it, everything is different. Let’s take the case of the attack: for a long time there were too many who were not in great form and now that they are the goals arrive. Even I was not brilliant for a certain period, I noticed it. There was a moment in which we had even 10 players injured. In a season it's normal that there should be moments of sacrifices, but you cannot give your best. In these moments we reacted well and this is proven by the fact that we are still in the race for the fourth place. In other words, we want to end the season well." The derby is coming up…with which sensations? “I live it very peacefully. In these games it's easy to find the motivations, also because it's easily to find them against Inter more than against Livorno, but last Sunday we wanted to make a particular effort so that it would be even more interesting the clash against Inter." The experienced player was asked for an opinion about the young Balotelli: “He’s a good player, he’s a good talent and must be managed. We saw him play sometimes and we believe that we know how to behave on the pitch. For those who say that he must grow because on the pitch he has certain attitudes I say that he has a good master, considering that Mancini was a hot head. Therefore he knows how to teach him to make him grow well. Ibra is not find, but there are Cruz, Crespo, Suazo…so you take away one, you put someone else in who is not worth little. A bit like in defence: if they have half of them out, they manage to put in another important element and the team is still strong.” Materazzi is still praising the fact that the third Scudetto is coming up, emphasizing the first one, which arrived like everyone remembers. This is Seedorf's opinion: "You either have elegance or you don't. The players, in this issue, are the least involved. There should be more respect amongst us. Your colleagues should not be offended, who have done their best for a whole year.” Last topic is that of the team’s quality and how much it could be useful in the next season: “With these players we have obtained more than Inter at international level. Maybe Inter has more quality, but we have won. This group is strong and even those who are on the bench. When we play we are happy and we can celebrate all together, and it’s also them who give us the motivations to make the coach understand that he made the right choices. It’s also for this reason that I say that going on the market you must do so conscious of what is really needed and not to make fireworks.” Before ending, another reply to a provocation by Vieira, on the Champions League won last year: “We did not choose the Champions League because after 10 games we were 20 points behind the league leaders. We won it because we deserved it, despite playing without a normal preparation. For this reason we had a bit of difficulties in the league. The real season in which we must admit that we made something wrong is the current one."

JULIO CESAR: 'Kaká the most dangerous one' MILAN - In an interview given to Studio Sport, Julio Cesar talks about the derby: 'Kaká is the most dangerous, he can decide a game on his own and already did that last year in the Champions League.' The Inter goalkeeper also talked about Dida: 'Nelson remains an example. I've already learned a lot from him in the national team.' And then there's Pato: 'Everyone is waiting to make the comparison between him and Balotelli.'

KAKA': WHAT A RECOGNITION! MILAN - Another important recognition for Ricky Kaka: the Brazilian champions was added by the prestigious American 'Time' magazine in the list of the 100 most influential personalities in the world. The Golden Ball winner is the only footballer present in this special list, which is listed every year, and he has been selected by taking into account his exemplary behaviour on and off the pitch.

Casillas: I'd Rather Beat Barcelona Than Win The Zamora Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has stated that he'd rather win the Clásico in a fortnight's time than lift the Zamora trophy at the end of the season... Casillas has in the psat stated his desire to win the Zamora award for top Liga goalkeeper, but in the moment he's more concerned at getting one over on Real Madrid's great rivals. He told Realmadrid.com that, if forced to pick between the award and a Clásico victory, he'd take the match win. "A Clasico is always something beautiful. The best thing that can happen is to defeat Barcelona at the Bernabéu," he said. However, he added, "The Zamora Trophy is a great award that really goes out to the entire team." Pamplona Comes First However, before the match with Barça is a trip to Pamplona to meet Osasuna, a match in which Real Madrid could scoop the title. They may even do so before kick-off if Villarreal slip up. "The important thing is to win it, no matter how," added Casillas. "There is a chance we may win before the game takes place, but it is always more exciting to win on the pitch. "Do I want to get it over with? I do. The sooner the better. It seems we will win the title on Sunday, but we have to be patient and wait. "We are only thinking about winning the game. We would have all liked to win last week at home, but it is natural for Villarreal to still do everything they can to catch us. "Osasuna fans? It is an unusual stadium because the crowd is very close to us. They support their team very strongly, but we've hardly had any incidents there except for when someone threw a lighter at me a few years ago. There's crazy people everywhere; you can't generalise. "There is much at stake for many teams at this stage. Osasuna are in a complicated situation because they face relegation, but we are going to think about ourselves, not about our rivals or the referee. We will fight to win." Team Concerns Casillas was asked for his thoughts on the Argentine contingent at the Bernabéu this season. "They've been excellent," he enthused. "Gago and Higuaín are very young and they've proven their quality. They have adapted to Spanish football and had a great season. "Heinze has a strong character and a lot of experience; a player like that is important on the squad. Saviola knows our league perfectly well. "In what way is the team different this year? We've suffred less this year and we've been more regular, with less bad performances. Last year we were forced to win something, but not this year. It would be beautiful to win the league after having been leaders throughout the season." He also looked at Oliver Kahn, a top-class goalkeeper who yesterday retired from continental competition after Bayern's elimination from the UEFA Cup by Zenit. "That will happen to all of us one day," noted the Spanish international. "Kahn has marked an era, becoming the most important player of his team and thrilling all of us with his impressive saves. He is one of the greatest ever keepers, but his time has come and we youngsters should thank him for everything he's taught us. I wish him all the best."

You're welcome Wild Rose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Gattuso Relishing Derby Milan midfielder Rino Gattuso cannot wait to face Inter this weekend in a clash which is decisive for both teams... Gattuso spoke about the upcoming derby game against the Nerazzurri which could decide both the Scudetto and fourth place races, and therefore holds a lot of importance for both teams. "It's a very nice experience to play in such key games," declared the international midfielder during the TV program on Sky, 'Attenti a quei due'. "These are games which give you a great adrenaline rush," he continued. "We surely cannot lose the derby. "Since the 23rd of December, Inter have gained just two more points than us. It's an open game, they will be without many players, and we have the awareness that we can play it." Captain's Table With regards to the next Milan captain after Maldini steps down, Gattuso has no doubts that it should be Massimo Ambrosini. "It's fair that the next Milan captain is Ambrosini, and I told the directors this many times," he enthused. "It's fairer that the captain's armband is carried by a player who has been at Milan for many years," concluded Gattuso.

You're welcome Sandy!!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome Sandy

Pato, Diego Offer Ronaldo Support Brazilian striker Ronaldo has received some welcome support from his compatriots in the light of his involvement in a sex controversy. El Fenomeno's tryst with three transvestites seems to have done plenty of damage to his reputation, the different versions of the incident notwithstanding. The striker, currently recovering after a knee operation, is set to lose his girlfriend and sponsors Nike despite insisting that he was the wronged one. However, compatriots Alexandre Pato and Diego have offered their support to him at this difficult moment. “He is still my idol,” said Pato. “He is a great friend. "He’s relaxed and now just has to focus on healing his knee injury. He needs to get better and return to playing football.” Diego aired similar thoughts. "I admire Ronaldo very much so, inside and outside the field," said the Werder Bremen star. "He was always my idol and I am cheering once again for him to return to the fields asap. I imagine that what happened was a big misunderstanding."

AC Milan's Ronaldo: I'm innocent! AC Milan striker Ronaldo has defended himself over an extortion saga played out in Brazil. Ronaldo's name was splashed all over Brazil's newspapers when transvestite Andre Albertini claimed in the Folhe de Sao Paulo that he took cocaine with the marksman in a hotel in Rio De Janeiro before receiving payment for sex acts. However, Ronaldo claims he was the victim of an attempt at extortion and that he refused to pay Albertini £12,000 to stop him fabricating the story for the Press. "There are no accusations for Ronaldo to answer," a statement on El Fenomeno's website reads. "An active supporter of social causes, he has never used drugs and is an idol to youngsters all over the world. All the evidence points to a case of extortion with Ronaldo as the victim."

Kaká: Let's Postpone Inter's Party AC Milan star Rickardo Kaká talked about next weekend's mouth-watering derby against Inter. It's just a matter of days now before one of the most highly-anticipated Milan derbies in recent years kicks off. The stakes are sky-high for both sides, as the Rossoneri need a win at all costs to maintain hopes of pipping Fiorentina to the fourth place, while Inter will make sure of their third consecutive Scudetto if they take all three points. "It will be hard to prevent Inter winning the Scudetto," says Milan playmaker Kaká, "but the ideal thing would be to postpone their party. "For them it would be the third consecutive Scudetto, but I wouldn't be proud of it, I wouldn't say it like that: they only won two of those on the pitch, one more deserved than the other." Considering the statistics, Inter are the clear favorites in this derby, as they are 23 points ahead in the standings and they've also won the last three derbies. "That's also why we really want to win this game," Kaká continued, "we want to postpone their party and qualify for the Champions League. "A mark for our season? I'd say 7.5. There were many positive things, like the European Supercup and the Club World Cup which we both won." On the two teams' contrasting league form, he said: "We made a choice to focus on the Club World Cup, so we were penalised. "While other teams rested, we were playing matches that had to be recovered. "Inter's strength? Certainly the group. They have a big squad and it doesn't matter much who plays. But lately we are in better form and we have found back an incredible Inzaghi." On the atmosphere in the city of Milan during the week that culminates with the derby: "There's a very civil atmosphere, the Rossoneri fans stop me on the street and tell me we need to win on Sunday. But also the Inter fans stop me and say 'don't do anything stupid next Sunday.' "How I think things will go? Hoping we beat Inter, I think Fiorentina won't win at Cagliari."

Ronaldo: Transvestite Won’t Cost Me My Sponsor Ronaldo has denied reports that his altercation with three Brazilian transvestites could cost him various sponsorship deals. The striker hit the headlines on Tuesday when it was reported that he had had an encounter with three transvestites in a motel in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night. Ronaldo seemingly picked up the three men, believing that they were female prostitutes, and did not realise they were transvestites until they got to the motel. One of the transvestites, Andreia Albertini, also allegedly attempted to extort Ronaldo, asking for $30,000 to buy a house in exchange for hiding the story from the media. It has been reported that as a result of this altercation, Nike may decide to terminate Ronaldo's lucrative sponsorship deal, while Italian telecommunications company TIM, Brazilian beer brand Brahma and banking group Santander may do the same. A statement on Ronaldo’s official website denies this is the case: "The recent events involving Ronaldo are entirely of personal nature and do not in any way jeopardise any promotional deals, nor does it give rise to circumstances in which parties with whom he has contractual responsibilities have the right to rescind any deals." Ronaldo's agent Fabiano Farah has furthered this statement up. "What happened is not a legal matter,” he said. "Decisions of this nature [the rescinding of contractual agreements] are not within the remit of those who have legal contracts with Ronaldo. "His contractual agreements do not provide scope for that sort of decision, and could only be rendered null and void if Ronaldo were found guilty of something. "But he has committed no crime, and has broken no law. On the contrary, he is the victim in this case." Ronaldo is still in Brazili, as he continues his recovery from the horrific knee injury he suffered against Livorno in February.

Sheva Praises Pato Unsettled Chelsea hitman Andriy Shevchenko has praised Milan’s teenage sensation Alexandre Pato. From 1999 to 2006, Shevchenko delighted Calcio fans in the Milan number 7 shirt, scoring a whopping 127 goals from just 208 games. Last summer the Rossoneri snapped up 18-year-old wonderkid Alexandre Pato from Internacional, who has exploded onto the Serie A scene since making his debut this January. Pato, wearing Shevchenko’s old number 7, has already hit the back of the net eight times in 15 league games, and he is being tipped by many for greatness. "He's doing very well, he's young and has a lot of quality,” said Shevchenko, who has had a miserable time of things in the Premiership, since signing for Chelsea in 2006. "When I have spoken to my former team-mates they have all told me that he is very strong and has a lot of quality. "I think he has chosen the right squad to grow in." Shevchenko himself has been heavily linked in recent months with a move back to AC Milan. The Rossoneri hierarchy are keen for the Ukrainian to return, but there has been a snag in negotiations, with Chelsea demanding a transfer fee, but Milan wanting a loan deal.

Ronaldo To Lose Nike Deal And Girlfriend? Ronaldo may end up losing his girlfriend as well as his sponsorship deal with Nike following the transvestite scandal. The striker has made headlines worldwide when transvestite Andre Albertini claimed that he took cocaine with the superstar before indulging in private acts. Ronaldo has denied the reports and he has alleged that he was a victim of a planned extortion where Albertini ordered him to pay £12,000 or he would tell the world’s media. Reports have now suggested that the former world player of the year could see his career end in tatters and this time it’s not down to his wobbly knees. A statement on the player’s official website reads: “An active supporter of social causes, he has never used drugs and is an idol to youngsters all over the world. All the evidence points to a case of extortion with Ronaldo as the victim.” Brazilian newspaper ‘Extra’ believe that Nike are willing to terminate Ronaldo's lucrative sponsorship deal as a result of his antics in Brazil and it would seem likely given that the striker has been seen as a role model to so many young idols. Ronaldo’s deal with the American sportswear giant is worth around £100 million, but his foul behaviour in a Rio De Janiero motel could end up costing him more than he bargained for. It is also reported that Ronaldo’s girlfriend Maria Beatriz has left their apartment in Rio de Janeiro and is heading home to her family in Brasilia. Ronaldo became famous for scoring on the pitch rather than off it and this latest incident could see his career be well and truly over, and this, after he showed such promising signs of recovering from his devastating injury.

I Hope To Play And Score Against Inter - Pato Young AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato hopes to make his return against Inter next weekend and get on the scoresheet as well. In recent weeks he's been on the sidelines much more often than when he first became eligible for Milan - mostly due to the great form of Filippo Inzaghi - but now Alexandre Pato is ready to take back his place in the Rossoneri's attack. The 18-year-old wunder-kid has always shown impressive things when he was given the chance to play, and has scored a number of goals in important matches. Of course, they don't come much more important than this weekend's derby against Inter, as Pato agrees: "The derby is a big game. I think I will play, and if I do I always hope to score, helping Milan to win, and then celebrate with the heart gesture." Asked how he is doing at the moment, the striker said: "I'm happy, but I'll be happier if we finish fourth and earn a place in the Champions League. "My dream? That is to become a great player, win the Golden Ball and become a great champion with Milan. "My idol is still Ronaldo, he's a great friend. He's calm now. Now he only has to think about curing his knee, he has to improve and go back to playing football."