Kaká

[LuNo]

[LuNo]

Player Ratings: Milan 5-1 Reggina

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

Kalac – 5.5: A few nervy moments, and one of these almost allowed Vigiani to equalize when the score was 2-1. Was completely blameless on Barreto’s goal.

Cafu - 7: One of Cafu’s best games in a Milan shirt this season. Bombed up-and-down the right flank all afternoon.

Nesta – 6.5: Nullified the threat of Reggina’s lone frontman Amoruso, even if he made one mistake at 2-1 that could have resulted in a leveller for Cozza.

Kaladze – 6: A sound game from the Georgian, even if he did have the odd lapse of concentration. Almost scored down the other end in the first half.

Favalli – 6.5: It is so easy to be critical of Favalli, but today he offered a steady, if not spectacular, performance.

Gattuso – 7: Still failing to convince me that he will ever return to his old levels. But having said this he definitely won the midfield battle today.

Pirlo - 8: A welcome return to form. Some of his through-passes were simply out of this world. A genius when he is in the mood.

Brocchi – 6.5: Lots of quantity from the veteran, who as usual never stopped running and fighting. Had a few efforts at goal as well.

Kaka – 9: Simply unplayable. Went on countless mazy runs, one of which led to the first penalty. Stuck away both spot-kicks with aplomb, before completing is hat-trick in the second period. The Kaka of last season is back!

Seedorf – 6.5: Blew hot and cold. Won the second penalty and had a fantastic long shot that just went wide, but also misplaced a few passes.

Inzaghi – 8.5: His link-up play with Kaka was telepathic at times. Scored one, but could have had a hat-trick also. Looks really sharp at the moment, and is certainly giving Italy coach Roberto Donadoni something to think about ahead of Euro 2008.

Subs: Pato 8, Simic 6, Gourcuff 6.5

[LuNo]

LIKE THIS UNTIL THE END

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.”

[LuNo]

Kaka The Key - Ancelotti

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti believes that the return to form of Kaka was a key factor in today's thumping 5-1 win over Reggina.

The Rossoneri were hugely impressive at San Siro, with Kaka christening a brilliant individual performance by helping himself to a hat-trick.

Kaka has been struggling with injury for much of the season, but he now appears to be back at full fitness.

“We had a good start with impressive play and determination, quickly breaking the deadlock so we could hit them on the counter,” explained Ancelotti.

“Kaka’s absence really weighed on us in decisive games that proved crucial to falling behind in the Champions League race. It’s only natural and now he is finding his best form.Ancelotti also had words of praise for Clarence Seedorf, who again played in a slightly deeper position.

"Seedorf sacrificed himself for the team today with characteristics that are not his own," said Carletto.

"Great champions are always able to put the squad first and it is inevitable in any League in Europe now.

”Milan are still four points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina but Ancelotti is remaining hopeful of earning Champions League qualification.

“The gap is still there, but we must continue along this path right to the end. Our objective is to prepare one game at a time and try to win them all.”

Reggina Coach Nevio Orlandi believes that the scoreline was harsh on his side, and thinks that a penalty should have been awarded for Kakha Kaladze's handball in the second half.

“I did not expect such a heavy defeat," he lamented.

"The incidents went against us with those two penalties, Edgar Barreto’s injury and a spot-kick we were not given.”

[LuNo]

Kaka's Great Satisfaction

Milan midfielder Riccardo Kaka was in sensational form on Sunday afternoon as he scored a hat-trick during his side’s 5-1 win against Reggina in the 34th matchday of Serie A.

Kaka proved again why he won the Golden Ball award in December as he put in an excellent performance against the Amaranti, which included three goals, to keep the Rossoneri still in the race for the fourth place.

“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,” said the Brazilian player at the end of the game.

"I like to be decisive - it makes me feel good, and managing to do it with three goals is even nicer,” he continued.

“This result gives us an extra motivation to end the season well because a win which comes in this way gives us the impetus to play the final four games of the season like today.

“We must think about doing our duty, winning the twelve points available, while seeing what Fiorentina will do,” concluded Kaka.

[double blush]

Kaka in this last match = perfection~! "The Kaka of last season is back" YAYY! Thanks LuNo

[LuNo]

You're welcome double blush

[LuNo]

Kaka Wants Double Present

Kaka is hoping for two special gifts as he celebrates his birthday: a derby win, and the captain’s armband.

AC Milan will face local rivals Internazionale on May 4 in a crucial clash that could either boost or dash Milan’s hopes of earning Champions League qualification, and could either solidify or upset Inter’s hopes of retaining the Scudetto.

The Rossoneri have lost their last three derby encounters, including a 2-1 Serie A defeat back in December.

And Kaka, who turned 26 today, hopes his side can rediscover their winning ways against the Nerazzurri, recalling the satisfaction he has felt when on the victorious end of such clashes.

“Winning the derby has a very special taste to it,” said the Brazilian. “When I first arrived we used to win it all the time, but now for the past two or three years things have changed.

“We’ve got to turn that trend around, as a great deal of our future is tied up in beating Inter.”

Wonderful

It has now been five seasons since Kaka moved to Italy from Sao Paulo as a promising 21-year-old. In that time he has established himself as arguably the best player in the world, having been awarded both the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or titles last year.

And with Milan legend Paolo Maldini likely to retire at the end of the season, and strong rumours that Gennaro Gattuso will leave Italy following an indifferent campaign, Kaka is among the favourites to be named the new Rossoneri captain – an honour he would be delighted to accept.

“One day I would love to wear it,” Kaka told Milan Channel. “I am currently learning from Maldini and if one day it does happen, it would be wonderful for me.

“The team is very close to Milan and when you have played together a long time you know everything about each other. That is the secret of a winning side – we all learn from one another.

“For example, I try to treat Alexandre Pato the same way the others treated me when I arrived, I try to protect and coddle him a little bit. He will learn too.”

Tired

Kaka is one of several Milan players this term to have suffered injury problems, an issue which has decimated the ageing squad at times throughout the season.

And the Brazilian insists that the problem lies in the hectic schedules the top clubs must endure.

“There are too many games,” he said. “Players get tired physically and in terms of motivation, as isn’t easy to be constantly focused.

“The injuries reflect this schedule.”

[LuNo]

Me As Captain? We'll See - Kaká

Kaká talked about the possibility of becoming the Milan's next captain after Paolo Maldini hangs up his boots.

Since the legendary Paolo Maldini announced his retirement, speculation has been rife as to who will replace him as captain of the Rossoneri.

The great defender has since hinted he may play on for another season, but in the event he does call time on an illustrious 24-year career, there are a number of candidates who may succeed him as captain.

It has been suggested that Gennaro 'Rino' Gattuso intends to leave the club unless he is named the next Milan captain, and star playmaker Kaká is a big threat to the midfielder in this regard, as many are tipping him to be the next captain of the club.

However, the Ballon d'Or winner predictably kept things vague when he was asked about this subject.

"Perhaps one day we'll talk about this, but there's no hurry," he said. "I think that at the moment there are some team-mates who have the desire to become captain of Milan. It's normal. I respect the hierarchies at Milan, one day we'll come together to decide about this."

Another strong candidate for the coveted captain's armband is midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, who has been at the club since 1995 (barring a brief loan spell at Vicenza) - four years longer than 'Rino' - and is already vice-captain.

[LuNo]

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.

[Chic_Raul_ista]

Shopping around Milan

[Chic_Raul_ista]

[Chic_Raul_ista]

She's going back to Brazil to have the baby.

[footballfan#7]

She has gotten so big!

Does anyone know when she's due?

[Guest imogen]

[double blush]

Does anyone know when she's due?

[Coco18]

[LuNo]

Thanks Chic_Raul_ista & Coco

[LuNo]

SAN SIRO GENTLEMAN PRIZE TO KAKÁ

2007 Golden Ball winner Ricky Kaká also won the San Siro European Gentleman from the jury of journalists and football personalities.

MILAN - The last days to vote for the San Siro Gentleman-Amik 2008 prize, the acknowledgement dedicated to Fair Play in international professional football which has reached its 13th edition.

On the official website of the event - www.premiosansirogentleman.it - and on the Radio Italia website - www.radioitalia.it - sponsor of the event, it's possible to vote, until Thursday 8 May, a player of Inter, Milan and of the Serie A TIM who has distinguished himself for correctness and fairness on and off the pitch.

Ricky Kaká, Golden Ball winner, will receive the Special European Gentleman prize assigned by a jury of journalists and sports personalities coordinated by David Messina, president of the Gruppo Lombardo Giornalisti Sportivi. The votes - which have been open since 17 April - currently see the following players in the running of the Gentleman - Amik 2008 prize.

GENTLEMAN MILAN:

Paolo Maldini

Ricardo Izecson Kakà

Andrea Pirlo

Filippo Inzaghi

GENTLEMAN INTER:

Javier Zanetti

Esteban Cambiasso

Luis Figo

Julio Cruz

NATIONAL GENTLEMAN

Alessandro Del Piero

Javier Zanetti

Gianluigi Buffon

Luis Figo

[LuNo]

RICARDO KAKA' EUROPEAN GENTLEMAN

MILAN - Kaka' won the San Siro European Gentleman award, handed by the jury of journalists and personalities of the sporting world. It's possible, instead, to vote until the 8th of May for a player from Inter, Milan and from the league for other sections of the awards. The Milan candidates are Maldini, Kaka', Pirlo and Inzaghi; for Inter Zanetti, Cambiasso, Figo and Cruz. For the National Gentleman Award, the competitors are Del Piero, Zanetti, Buffon and Figo.