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At the end of the big win against Reggina, the Rossoneri are happy about their performance and charged up for this final part of the season in the race for the Champions League – THE ROSSONERI’S DECLARATIONS -

MILAN – These are the declarations of the Rossoneri players at the end of Milan-Reggina 5-1:

KAKA':

“It’s always a great personal satisfaction to score a hat-trick, but what pleases me most is to be useful to my team and my team-mates. I like to be decisive, it makes me feel good, and managing to do it with three goals is even nicer.

“This result gives us an extra motivation to end the season well because a win which arrives in this way gives us the motivation to play the final four games of the season like today. We must think about doing our duty, winning the twelve points available and then see what Fiorentina will do. They are having an excellent season, they also have the Uefa Cup commitment, but before everything Milan must think to do well in the next games. Before going on the pitch today, I had scored seventy five goals, with today’s hat-trick I reached seventy eight and I’m really happy. I hope to reach the target of the hundred goals with the Milan shirt soon.

“Ronaldinho? I always had the possibility to play with him in the national team and we have always found each other well. Being able to play together would surely be nice. On the transfer market rumours about Gattuso in these last few days I believe that Rino is an image for this Milan, he has his reasons, but I think that they are reasons for him to remain.”

FILIPPO INZAGHI:

“I’m happy about today’s result as well as the performance of the team. There is a bit of a disappointment because today we saw the old Milan side, the Milan side which entertains. Right now we are all well and when the situation is like this, the results then arrive. We must not forget that right now we are all well and when the situation is like this, the results arrive. We must not forget what Milan was who won the Club World Cup and a European Super Cup. I would have preferred facing Arsenal with a Milan side in these conditions, but unfortunately we suffered too many injuries. Today we saw a great Milan which could compete with everyone and now we must reach the objective of the fourth place to have a place in the next Champions League.

“Personally I arrived at ninety five goals and the thirteenth one in the season, and considering the fact that for three months I did not train, and for me it is important to be fine. I’ve been training for three weeks every day and when I don’t feel pain, things then arrive all alone.

“Gilardino? I think that Alberto must remain serene. He’s a Milan wealth, he’s loved by everyone. Even I in the past went through a similar moment, but seeing him everyday during training I see that he is fine and I’m convinced that a goal can be useful to him from now until the end of the season.

“With regards to my possible call-up by Roberto Donadoni for the European Championships, I believe that first I must do well with the Milan shirt, then if something more will arrive, very good, otherwise I will go on holiday!”

CLARENCE SEEDORF:

“We are recovering the goals which we failed to score in other games. We’re happy, from our side the hope is always there and now we have four games to win all available points.

“In these days there have been many rumours around Milan, we are used and when we go on the pitch we remain concentrated on that which is our objective, the fourth place. At times outside the pitch we can talk with the right maturity of certain topics. With regards to Gattuso, I consider him like a brother, a player with whom I find myself well and with whom I shared many difficult moments and we have won a lot together. I think that he would deserve to end his career here at Milan. Even in the past, I always said that on the choices of a player, factors which are not related to football could influence him and lead him to take important decisions, but I hope that he stays with us.”

Inzaghi: We Need Young Players

Milan veteran Pippo Inzaghi says that the club needs an injection of young players for next season.

The Rossoneri have had a desperately disappointing campaign, and are looking likely to miss out on qualification for the Champions League.

Many people believe that the squad is simply too old, and that fresh, young blood is needed if a new winning cycle is to begin.

"Now we must focus on what remains because there is still a possibility of winning fourth place,” said Inzaghi following yesterday’s 5-1 thrashing of Reggina at San Siro.

"We have leaders who in recent years have worked in the right way. Is something missing? The club and the coach will decide. Now we are the Milan everybody knows.

"We have done well today, now we are all happy.

"It is clear that the club knows what must be done. The backbone of Milan is still young. I am an old man, I am convinced, we need to give space to young players, I know that I can always play, but now that we have a game once a week I can play with less effort."

The 34-year-old Inzaghi has been in stunning form in recent games, and his goal yesterday took his recent tally to five from just three games.

Inzaghi: Top Four Still Possible

Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi believes his side can still qualify for the Champions League.

The Rossoneri have had a season they would rather forget both domestically and in Europe and as a result they now face what seems like a losing battle to make the final Champions League place.

However, Inzaghi is optimistic, but he admits that he will settle for UEFA Cup football should his side fail with their fourth place objective.

“We still believe in fourth place but when you are chasing it also depends on the results of the other teams,” said Inzaghi.

“We will try to get in the Champions League but if we don’t and end up in the UEFA Cup then we will try to do well all the same.”

Milan are currently fifth in Serie A and they face a tricky clash away to relegation fighters Livorno this weekend.

No doubt Inzaghi and co will be hoping for maximum points. Anything less could see Milan’s Champions League ambitions being held hostage to fortune.

LIVORNO-MILAN

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi;

DEFENDERS: Oddo, Bonera, Digao, Favalli, Kaladze, Nesta, Jankulovski;

MIDFIELDERS: Brocchi, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato, Paloschi.

ANCELOTTI: "Inzaghi from the start"

MILANELLO - Carlo Ancelotti anticipated to the microphones of Milan Channel, just before the start of the press conference, that "Filippo Inzaghi will play from the start at Livorno just like against Reggina, with Pato on the bench ready to come in during the game."

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SuperPippo: We Will Beat Inter

Pippo Inzaghi has declared that Milan will beat Inter in the derby and go on to qualify for the Champions League.

The Rossoneri are struggling to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, as with just three games remaining, they trail fourth-placed Fiorentina by two points.

Milan also have a difficult run-in as their three remaining matches are the derby against Inter, an away trip to Napoli, and a home clash with Udinese.

Ahead of this Sunday’s clash with the Nerazzurri, Inzaghi has promised that Milan will collect maximum points from these games.

"The derby means a great deal. It is compulsory to beat Inter, Napoli and Udinese,” the prolific striker told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

”Milan will do this. We will win the derby and the other two game. We will be in the Champions League.”

Inzaghi has been in simply stunning form of late, having scored eight goals in his last four games. Asked just how he can still be performing so brilliantly at the age of nearly 35, the World Cup winner had a simple answer.

"The pleasure of playing," he stated. Inzaghi is making a late charge to be called up to Roberto Donadoni’s Euro 2008 squad.

BONERA: "I have a nice rapport with Inzaghi"

MILAN - These are the declarations of Daniele Bonera, during the program 'Stadio Milan Lunedi' on Milan Channel: "I have a nice rapport with Inzaghi. He was one of the first ones to want me at Milan and for this reason I thank him. In this period I managed make two assists for Pippo and I'm happy to see that he passed a delicate moment caused by injuries and he returned in great shape just like he knows how to."

INZAGHI: "I would like to reach 100 goals"

MILAN - These are the declarations of Filippo Inzaghi, during a telephone call on the program 'Studio Milan Lunedi' from yesterday on Milan Channel: "I would like to reach the objective of the 100 goals with the Rossoneri's shirt, but right now my only thought is that of making sure that the team wins to reach the fourth place."

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Mihajlovic: Inzaghi The Danger Man

Inter assistant coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has showered Milan’s Pippo Inzaghi with praise, and believes he is the danger man ahead of this weekend’s derby.

Scudetto

Inter could clinch the Scudetto on Sunday by beating their bitter city rivals, but Mihajlovic is asking everyone to focus on one thing at a time.

"First we need to win, we will think about the celebrations afterwards,” Mihajlovic told Sky.

"Certainly Milan are better than they were a month and half ago. They have to win otherwise they will have little chance of going into the Champions League. Therefore, they certainly will be motivated to the maximum.

“On the other hand, the best thing for us, and especially for our fans, is to win the Scudetto in the derby, with a stadium full of Milan supporters.

“For sure it will be a hard fought game, but I am convinced that in the end we will be the winners."

Balotelli.

Mihajlovic was also asked about teenage sensation Mario Balotelli, who is set to play in his first ever Milan derby.

"He has never played a derby at these levels,” the Serbian noted. “If he continues to improve day after day, he can become one of the best players around.

“It depends only on him, he must stay with feet on the ground and train as he has been doing.”

SuperPippo The Danger-man

Finally Mihajlovic was asked who he feared most in the Milan line-up out of Inzaghi, Kaka and Alexandre Pato.

"For me personally [as a player] I always feared Inzaghi,” he revealed. “Aside from that, Kakà and Pato are two great players, but Inzaghi is Inzaghi. He has that wickedness in front of goal. He is very strong.”

Inzaghi has been in blistering form in recent weeks, having scored an incredible eight goals in his last four matches.

“As for Inter, Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti are the key players," he continued. "If they are there, the others lift their game too. Cambiasso never gets a game wrong in front of the defence, while wherever you put Zanetti it seems as if he’s been there a lifetime.”

Milan: Kalac, Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli (Jankulovski - 41'), Gattuso (Brocchi - 67'), Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kak

Player Ratings: Milan 2-1 Inter

Carlo Garganese rates the players on show at San Siro yesterday afternoon…

Kalac – 6.5: Slightly nervy at times but made one excellent stop from Crespo’s one-on-one and also produced a smart stop from Maxwell’s free kick.

Bonera - 7: Impressive display from the former Parma man, who was equally adept both defensively and offensively. His crossing was also good.

Nesta – 7.5: Proved once again why he is one of, if not the best, centre back in the world. Gave a lesson in the art of slide tackling today.

Kaladze – 6.5: The Georgian breezed through the first 60 minutes without working up a sweat, but had to be alert as Inter upped the ante late in the game.

Favalli – 7: Excellent in the first half before he was forced off on 41 minutes with an ankle injury. Bombed forward repeatedly down the left-hand side. A real surprise.

Ambrosini – 9: Superb in the middle-of-the-park. Ambrosini was first to every ball, got stuck in, distributed well, and was a real leader. Created Kaka’s goal, and won his battle with Vieira hands down.

Gattuso – 7.5: Gattuso’s most impressive game for Milan possibly this season. Won every tackle he went in for, and was a real presence. Did tire though and was eventually substituted.

Pirlo – 6: Far from his best game, but still Pirlo started many of Milan’s moves with some neat and clever passes. His free kicks were disappointing.

Seedorf – 8.5: Such a delight to watch when he in this form. One of the few old-school number 10’s left in the game. Inter could not get the ball off him.

Kaka – 8.5: If it wasn’t already evident – Kaka is back. Created Milan’s first for Inzaghi, scored the second, while he also presented SuperPippo with two excellent chances in the first half. Rivas couldn’t handle him.

Inzaghi – 8.5: His movement is at times unplayable. Inzaghi broke the deadlock following a trademark run to the near post. He could have scored four today, twice being denied by Julio Cesar, and heading centimetres wide. Must go to Euro 2008.

Subs: Jankulovski 6, Brocchi 6, Pato 5.5

Inzaghi: Milan Makes Me Great

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has attributed his longevity to the quality of his team-mates, especially Brazilian playmaker Kaka…

The 34-year-old scored the opener in Milan’s 2-1 derby victory over Internazionale on Sunday, heading home Kaka’s cross from the right.

It was the ex-Juventus poacher’s 10th strike in Serie A this season, all of which have come since February, when he netted his first league goal in over a year against Parma.

The Italy international has drawn praise from all quarters for his remarkable resurgence and his ability to perform at such a high level in his veteran years.

But Inzaghi believes his fellow Rossoneri are as responsible as anyone for his endurance, particular Kaka, with whom he has formed a lethal attacking partnership.

"I must thank mother nature, who gave me certain characteristics and certain skills," he said. "Then, there's the fact that we have extraordinary players here, because I think the feeling I have with Kaka is something unique.

"Playing with people like him, with Seedorf, with all the players we have at Milan, helps you. This is something that certainly enhances my quality, without a doubt."