Kaká

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AWW! Rico & Caro is cute)))

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MILAN-PALERMO

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Oddo, Simic;

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Kaka, Pato.

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AC Milan 2:1 Palermo - match report

Scorers: Bresciano 9 (P), Ambrosini 24 (M), Inzaghi 91 (M)

Pippo Inzaghi's first Serie A goal in over a year defeated Palermo in stoppages and put them on a par with Fiorentina in fourth place, but both sides complained about the referee.

The Rossoneri needed a victory to keep up with fourth-placed Fiorentina, while Sicilian boss Francesco Guidolin was on thin ice despite a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cagliari. Clarence Seedorf and Paolo Maldini were rested after the 0-0 with Arsenal midweek, but Palermo welcomed back Amauri, Fabrizio Miccoli and Roberto Guana from suspension, though the former Juventus star was only fit for the bench.

The Rosanero had a good record here with a 3-3 draw in 2005 that lost Milan the Scudetto and a shock 2-0 victory last term. They had also beaten Carlo Ancelotti's men at the Barbera earlier this season.

Palermo took the lead thanks to some confused defending just nine minutes in. Mark Bresciano volleyed a Guana cross from the left and it took a deflection off Massimo Oddo's chest to leave Zeljko Kalac stranded.

Amauri went on a slalom including some fancy footwork with his heel, like a rabona mid-sprint, but was eventually closed down by Daniele Bonera.

Milan wanted a penalty moments later when Alberto Gilardino's flicked ball struck Andrea Barzagli's arm, but the linesman insisted it was involuntary, as it came off his chest first and ricocheted.

Alberto Fontana smothered a cracking Kaka piledriver and was very fortunate as it bounced off the ground and got trapped under his body.

The Rossoneri drew level on 24 minutes with captain Massimo Ambrosini. Oddo's sweeping cross to the back post found Ambrosini totally unmarked for a sliding finish, as he had lost marker Cassani.

Pirlo curled one of his trademark free kicks from 25 metres under the bar, bringing a fantastic one-handed save out of 41-year-old Fontana. Moments later the veteran tipped another Pirlo set-piece out for a corner.

Kaka rolled across for the onrushing Ambrosini, halted by a crucial tackle on the edge of the area. Towards half-time it was turning into a siege on the Sicilian goal and a corner fell kindly for Marek Jankulovski to balloon over.

Ambrosini nodded a Pirlo free kick just over the bar, as the midfielder remained Milan's most dangerous attacking figure. Kaka got a knock to the knee, so made way for Yoann Gourcuff at half-time.

Kakha Kaladze did well to stand by substitute Fabio Simplicio and protect the ball for Kalac as the Brazilian ran into the box.

Pato skipped past Giuseppe Biava with a splendid nutmeg and his deflected snapshot was palmed round the post by the ever-attentive Fontana. From the resulting corner Kaladze complained of a Guana handling offence that took the ball off his foot as he was lining up the volley. It looked like an evident penalty, but the referee and linesman ignored his protests.

Yet Palermo risked restoring their lead when Simplicio's free kick went past everyone, Kalac getting a hand to it before the ball could settle into the far bottom corner.

Edison Cavani found himself in acres of space on Guana's through ball, but blasted over the bar with only Kalac to beat. Pippo Inzaghi replaced the disappointing Gilardino, but Cavani found another gap in the Rossoneri defence and hesitated, wasting the opportunity.

Inzaghi was angry when he was lining up a header, but teammate Gourcuff clattered into him. SuperPippo was also halted for an incorrect offside decision and Barzagli did just enough to keep Inzaghi from turning in a Biava error.

This time it was Palermo who had furious penalty appeals in the final minute, as Amauri ran into the area and nutmegged Gennaro Gattuso to fall over the outstretched leg, but once again the referee and linesman waved play on.

It's a decision that is bound to cause controversy, as moments later Inzaghi gave Milan the victory. He was left completely unmarked for a free header from six yards on Gourcuff's cross from the left, springing the offside trap. It was his first Serie A goal in over a year.

Milan: Kalac; Oddo, Bonera, Kaladze, Jankulovski (Favalli 85); Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka (Gourcuff 46); Gilardino (Inzaghi 73), Pato

Palermo: Fontana; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Biava; Cassani, Guana, Migliaccio, Bresciano (Simplicio 54), Balzaretti; Cavani (Tedesco 88), Amauri

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Kaka To Miss Arsenal Clash?

Milan superstar Kaka faces a race against time to be fit for next week’s return match with Arsenal, according to reports in Italy.

The European and World Footballer of the Year has been playing with a niggling sensation in his knee for quite some time now, but the problem has worsened in recent weeks.

Kaka was forced to rest for a few games leading up to the Champions League last 16 first leg with Arsenal last Wednesday.

Having only just returned, the Brazilian received a knock from Roberto Guana in only the second minute of last night’s 2-1 win over Palermo.

He tried to run off the injury, but the pain eventually proved too much and he had to be replaced at half-time by Yoann Gourcuff.

With only eight days to go until the Champions League second leg with Arsenal at San Siro, Kaka faces a real race against time to be fit.

The 25-year-old is almost definitely out of this Wednesday’s trip to Catania in Serie A, while the match with Lazio at the weekend is also looking unlikely.

There have been reports in the Italian press that Kaka may eventually require an operation to clear up his persistent knee problem.

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HUNTING DOWN KAKA'!

Parma-Milan, three fouls in the first twenty minutes. Milan-Palermo, three fouls in the first twenty nine. Carrozzieri, after Bovo, the Kaka method is having a following. But the most safeguarded are his opponents.

MILAN – The initial "score" of the last two league games on Ricardo Kaka? Here you go. Parma-Milan, first half: in the 7th minute a foul by Morrone from behind, in the 17th minute a foul by Dessena on the edge of the penalty area, in the 20th minute a foul by Morrone. These last in particular is the model of the Kaka-method. The “targeted” player did a bad slide tackle on the player’s foot, risking everything: leg, or ankle, it doesn’t matter, on him you have to risk.

It’s not over. Milan-Palermo, first half: after 1 minute and 43 seconds a bad foul by Guana, from behind, exactly on the knee which is hurting Kaka. In the 22nd minute a foul by Migliaccio in midfield, not even whistled by the referee. In the 29th minute a foul by Bresciano, from behind, on Kaka who was launched towards the penalty area, with Ricky, who full of knocks and pain, has a reaction towards the referee.

Amongst these two games, London, where the loyalty in the Champions League and the sports culture are higher. What really hits us in the Italian league, is not just the numerous number of fouls on Kaka, on which the referees of our league overlook, but the scientific factor. It’s never the same player to make these fouls. There is an alteration between one player and another. As if it was a strategy. Almost the sign of a preparation. And here evidently the referees have no fault at all.

The hammering which Kaka is suffering is the same which had mined the physique and resistance of Marco Van Basten. The Dutch star played his last game at the highest level at 28 years of age. It was November 1992 against Gothenborg at San Siro. Then here never came back. No! It must not happen for Kaka too. There is no post-Golden Ball crisis and there is no world class player playing badly. We are simply facing a player who is hunted, who has to stop for 15-20 days to manage his problems, then evidently does not return on the pitch at his best.

The reality is that whereas the Milan opponents take turns in fouling Kaka, and the first minutes foul does not receive any sanction, it is becoming a custom of most Italian teams towards Kaka. The Rossoneri’s team are therefore risking an important part of the season against Arsenal. In the Kaka will recover, he will prepare himself and he will do his best to be in front of 80,000 fans at San Siro. Until the next foul, or the ‘ordinary administration’ of the Italian referees. So in the end, until when?

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Kaka career in danger from constant fouls: AC Milan

ROME (AFP) - AC Milan have complained that Brazilian playmaker Kaka's career is in danger as he is being targeted by opposing teams for what appears to be a strategy to foul him.

The reigning European and World Footballer of the Year had to leave the pitch at half-time on Sunday against Palermo with an injury to his left knee and will miss Wednesday's Italian league match against Catania.

The top Italian club added what struck them most was not that Kaka was being continually fouled by the same player from their opponents but that there seemed to be a systematic plan by the teams to do so.

A club statement on their internet site said: "It's never the same player which makes two consecutive fouls on Ricky (Kaka's nickname). Players take turns as if there is a plan, as if it is part of their strategy. Evidently the referees have not noticed this."

On Monday, Kaka told a television station: "I don't like to talk to referees but they need to do something because I'm being fouled a lot at the moment."

The club statement continued: "The treatment which is being handed out to Kaka is the same as which ended the career of Marco van Basten (part of the dominant AC Milan side in the late 80's and early 90's).

"The great Dutch player played his last match at the top level as a 28-year-old in November 1992.

"It all just came to an end for van Basten but the same thing must not happen to Kaka."

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Kaká targets return for Arsenal game

Kaká said he should be fit to face Arsenal FC in the concluding leg of AC Milan's first knockout round tie despite picking up an injury on Sunday.

'I hope to play'

The attacking midfielder took a heavy knock to his right knee during the 2-1 Serie A win against US Città di Palermo and had to be replaced at half-time by Yoann Gourcuff. However, scans have ruled out a serious injury and the 25-year-old is plotting his return to action. "I will definitely miss the midweek game against [Calcio] Catania," said the Brazilian international, who has struggled with persistent knee trouble this season. "At the moment my knee hurts a lot but I hope to play against Arsenal."

Training apart

Meanwhile, Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf, who sat out the Palermo victory because of thigh and ankle injuries sustained in the 0-0 first-leg draw against Arsenal in London, are still training apart from the squad. They are also expected to skip Wednesday's trip to Catania but should both recover in time for the decider against Arsène Wenger's men on 4 March.

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Thanks

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Galliani: AC Milan could lose Kaka like Van Basten

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has backed Kaka's complaints over the way he has been kicked and hacked this season.

Galliani said: "Kaka is absolutely right because unfortunately the referees continue to allow fouls to be made from behind. I believe they think these fouls can be handled by players, because they see them and should expel or warn, however, nothing happens.

"We have already lost one great, who was called Marco Van Basten at 28 years old and would like to avoid losing Kaka at the same age."

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Kaká is the cutest footballer

[Laudy Bonera]

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Ancelotti: Milan not forced into new Kaka deal

MILAN, February 29 (Serie A) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted 'outside pressures' did not force the club to sign Kaka to an early contract extension.

The Brazilian added two more years to his current deal on Thursday night which will keep him at the San Siro until the summer of 2013.

Both Chelsea and Real Madrid have been linked to the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, but Ancelotti claimed their interest was not a factor in the deal.

He said: 'I don't think external factors have accelerated Kaka's contract extension. Kaka's new deal is a beautiful thing for him and for Milan.'

The 25-year-old Kaka had never indicated that he wanted to leave the current European champions, but had spoken of his admiration for Real Madrid, while the Spanish club made no secret of their desire to lure him to the Bernabeu.

'I hope that this new deal will mean that I no longer have to answer questions about Kaka being linked to Real Madrid this summer as I have had to do in the past,' AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said.

'I am extremely delighted because I am convinced he is the best player in the world.'

Now that Kaka has cemented his future with the Rossoneri, Ancelotti predicts his stature at the club and in Europe will grow - Kaka has often stated his wish to become a future captain of Milan.

'Kaka will become more and more the symbol of this team,' Ancelotti said.

'Kaka has a great image on the pitch, he shows a great attitude and great quality.'

In the meantime, Ancelotti is optimistic Kaka will recover for Tuesday's Champions League last 16 return leg against Arsenal at the San Siro.

The South American star is fighting against the clock to recover from a left-knee injury that has kept him out of the Rossoneri's previous two league games.

'Kaka will not play on Saturday against Lazio but I believe he will recover for Tuesday's game,' Ancelotti said.

'He is training with the hope of being ready for Tuesday's game and I think he will make it.'

Kaka scored a competition-leading 10 goals during Milan's successful Champions League campaign last season.

Milan go into Tuesday's encounter with all to play for having held Arsenal to a goalless draw in the opening leg in London earlier this month.

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Brazilian star Kaka extends Milan deal

MILAN, Italy -- Brazilian international Kaka has signed a two-year extension to his current contract at AC Milan -- committing him to the Turin giants until the summer of 2013.

The FIFA World Player of the Year had reportedly been a target for Spanish Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old Kaka helped Milan to the Champions League crown last season, scoring a competition-leading 10 goals during their successful campaign.

The attacking midfielder is reportedly set to be rewarded for his loyalty by being paid more than the near $9 million per year he earns under his current contract which was due to expire in 2011. However, The Serie A club refused to comment on the financial side of Kaka's new deal.

Last week Kaka had told Britain's Daily Mail that he wanted to finish his career at Milan. "I think I will stay at Milan until the end of my career," he said. "I've got used to the life here and I'm settled in the city. I can't see myself going anywhere else, even if we never know what will happen in life."

Kaka, who joined Milan from Brazilian side Sao Paulo in 2003, is currently battling a knee injury and could miss their Champions League last 16 return against Arsenal next week.

Milan drew the first leg 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium, a rare high in a difficult season which has seen them struggling to achieve Champions League qualification through Serie A.

But Kaka's new deal has delighted the club's vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"Kaka has declared many times his wish to become a symbol of this team," Galliani said. "He is the best player in the world.

"He is a symbol of the football displayed by Silvio Berlusconi's Milan and he has decided to tie his future for a definite period to the Rossoneri colors.

"Kaka has taken this decision. I hope that in 2013 we can make him another contract in order for him to remain at Milan for life and continue to delight our fans."

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Kaka can stay for life - Galliani

Vice-president Adriano Galliani hopes Kaka will stay at AC Milan for the rest of his career after the Brazilian signed a new two-year deal.Kaka, 25, is now contracted to the club until June 2013, when he will be 31.

"Kaka has repeatedly stated that he wants to become a symbol of this team," said Galliani on the club's official website.

"He's the best footballer in the world and he's decided to tie himself definitively to Milan.

"This is a life contract. I hope that in 2013 I will make him a new contract but now we already know Kaka will delight Milan's fans until the end of his career.

"It's great news for all us Milan fans."

Kaka has repeatedly been linked with a move to Real Madrid over the past 12 months but Galliani insists the player's intention was always to remain at the San Siro.

He added: "Kaka has made this decision.

"He always had the conviction, but never as strong as in the last few months.

"Kaka is a symbol of the football expressed by Silvio Berlusconi's Milan.

"At the moment he is the best footballer in the world, and he's surrounded by great players, like (Andrea) Pirlo and (Clarence) Seedorf, who give this team a lot of quality.

"With these players Milan are the defending European Champions and World Champions."

The Brazilian helped Milan win last season's Champions League with a tournament-leading 10 goals.

He also scored one goal and set up two more in December's Club World Cup final as Milan beat Argentina's Boca Juniors.

Kaka is currently sidelined with a knee injury which is threatening to keep him out of next week's Champions League tie against Arsenal.

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YES, NOW I CAN SAY IT: AT MILAN FOR LIFE!

'Last year I did not have the faith I have now to say I want to stay at Milan forever. I want to become a symbol, a flag, a captain of this special club.' These are the words of Kaká, who added: 'I'll be there on Tuesday.'

MILANELLO - His was a life choice. An important signature which represents the will of the man and the champion Kaká to remain a rossonero, to become with every day more and more a symbol and flag of this club. The Brazilian revealed his emotions in a long interview to Milan Channel.

'I remember that a year ago Milan Channel also asked me if I wanted to stay at Milan for life. In that circumstance I did not yet have the right confidence but today I do. Now I can say it and I want to. I want to stay a Rossonero for the rest of my career, I want to stay here for life. I remember the last two summers well, full of pressures, 'Ricky goes, Ricky stays'. My renewals have always come at difficult times, like it happened in the summer of 2006 during 'calciopoli'. That's why I did not give the answer I am able to give now before. I apologize for that, but I simply did not feel like I was ready to make such a commitment. But everything is different now, and I can say it without dboubt and a lot of joy.'

'This renewal charges me up, I think about the future and I know I will stay here, forever in this winning team which always starts with the aim to win. For a player that's a good feeling. I never take decisions alone, I talked with my family, my wife Caroline. She told me: 'Ricky, if I could I would sign too.' She's happy with this decision, to remain in Milan and in this club. Milan are always special in the way they treat us.'

'This is my fifth season at Milan, I want to become a symbol, a flag, and one day a captain of this club, with respect for the hierarchies. That day will come, substituting Paolo Maldini will be a great responsibility but before me there are other players and I respect that.

'In a few months I will become a father (Ricky revealed to a subscriber that he will have a son). Caroline and I are awaiting the moment, living everything with great emotion. Every day she feels something special, something new. I stay close to her, I accompany her to each exam, it's a good feeling to know that soon we will have our first son.'

'This fourth signature of mine is a life choice. Galliani knows it, I've told him yesterday as well. What I experienced here has always been intense. I've seen players leave, not just Sheva, who then always told me to evaluate my choices carefully because Milan are different, Milan live of feelings, affection, and this for me is a special value. I am happy to live my career here.'

'I think about when I will be 31 (in 2013), I imagine I will still be in good form. Besides, in this club I only have great examples in front of me which I will try to follow. The first great model of my life was Rogerio Ceni who spent his entire career at San Paolo. Here the example is Maldini. I want to be like them. Reaching Paolo won't be easy, but I will try to come as close as possible to the great targets and statistics which regard him. Scoring many goals, winning a lot. Those are my objectives. I want to enter the history books of this club.'

'If you ask me today who is the best Italian player, I say without a doubt Andrea Pirlo. For the way he behaves on the pitch, for how he plays, he is very important for us. I always feel the difference between when he's on the pitch and when he isn't. When we play I always ask the defenders to give the ball to him, every ball goes through him, he's intelligent, he's a player who's always there in important moments. He'll be there on Tuesday. It will be tough also for him, he's playing a lot and there is some tiredness but on Tuesday he will be ready and for us it will mean a lot.'

'I feel better, yesterday I tried to run and it went well. For tomorrow I am not available, but I'm very confident I will be there on Tuesday.

This hasn't been a good period for me, physically I haven't been doing too well over the last month. The knee, the knock the other day... Physically I'm not at my best. But this week I've had the chance to work a lot, also physically. That was useful for me. I work hard to get in good form on Tuesday and do everything that people expect from me. Against Arsenal it will be a special match, I imagine a sold out San Siro, I remember Milan-Celtic of last year. In the end that turned out to be an unforgettable match, let's hope it will be the same way on Tuesday.'

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Kaka wants to spend rest of career at Milan

Brazil playmaker Kaka, who this week extended his contract with AC Milan until 2013, wants to spend the rest of his career at the club.

'Last year the Milan Channel asked me if I wanted to stay for life and on that occasion I didn't have the confidence and drive (to commit myself) I have today,' FIFA's World Player of the Year told the club's in-house television station on Friday.

'Today I can say it. I want to stay Rossonero all of my career. I want to stay here for life.'

According to Italian media reports, the 25-year-old will earn nine million euros ($13.67 million) a year net under the terms of his new deal with the European champions.

Kaka also said he wanted to skipper Milan one day.

'This is my fifth season at Milan,' he said. 'I want to become a symbol, a standard-bearer and one day a captain of this club.'

Kaka was the driving force behind Milan's victorious Champions League campaign last season, scoring 10 goals.

The seven-times European champions have fended off several attempts by Real Madrid to buy the player, with the Spanish champions making an offer of 80 million euros in the close season.

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Kaka and Seedorf out for AC Milan

Influential midfielder Clarence Seedorf is a major doubt for AC Milan after suffering a hamstring injury against Lazio on Saturday.

Brazilian playmaker Kaka will definitely miss out through injury while fellow midfielder Emerson is a doubt.

Arsenal team news to follow.