Kaká

[LuNo]

Mijatovic: Kaká Will Play For Real Madrid 

Predrag Mijatoivc is confident that Kaká will join Real Madrid and voiced his full support for the club's beleaguered coach, Fabio Capello.

Los Merengues' sporting director was answering questions sent in by readers of Spanish newspaper, El Pais, and one main concern was the continuing transfer rumours.

When Mijatovic was part of Ramón Calderón's presidential campaign last summer, the duo both stated that Kaká was a priority and that announcement helped install them to power.

AC Milan dug their heels and refused to negotiate, but the stories of the Brazilian's move to the Bernabéu have not subsided.

"I am convinced that sooner or later Kaká will wear the white shirt of Real Madrid," Mijatovic stated, before joking: "Whether I am here when they happens is another story."

Madrid have struggled to meet expectations this term and the future of Capello has been called into question on several occasions, but he has the backing of the board.

"He was chosen during our election campaign when we made up our plan of action for the club and he was our first choice," Mijatovic continued.

"Capello is a coach with a great deal of experience and has won many titles and he represented the ideas of where we wanted to take things.

"Our coach still has our complete confidence."

As well as calling for the trainer to go, there have also been some that have stated that they believe Mijatovic should step down and rumours surfaced that he had offered to resign earlier this season.

"I have never offered to leave," the scorer of Madrid's winning goal in the 1998 European Cup final said. "I want to work more now than ever.

"If I were to go now it would appear, particularly to me, like I was abandoning my position and that would not be right.

"My duty is to fight on and to try and solve the problems that we have now."

[sandy]

:jimmy:

[LuNo]

ROMA - MILAN 1 - 1

[LuNo]

[LuNo]

MILAN-BAYERN

KEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Storari;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Kaladze, Jankulovski, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Simic;

MIDFILDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi

[LuNo]

MILAN - BAYERN 2 - 2

[LuNo]

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[LuNo]

[LuNo]

Kaka keeps the faith

Milan star Kaka is remaining optimistic in view of the Champions League quarter-final return match in Munich. “We can still qualify.”

The Rossoneri were held to a 2-2 home draw by Bayern Munich last night which has put the German outfit in pole position to reach the semi-finals.

However, the Brazilian – who netted a late inexistent penalty last night – has great faith in his Milanese teammates.

“It will be an historic challenge, but I believe we can still qualify,” noted the South American.

Kaka became this season’s top scorer in the Champions League last night, but he did have his problems in living up to his potential against Bayern.

“It was a very difficult evening for me as I had to keep swapping wings to find some space,” he explained.

“It is a pity that we conceded two goals, but we are used to this kind of challenge. The return leg will represent a battle to make history, but we can do well.”

Massimo Oddo is also confident after insisting that the San Siro giants deserved to win the game last night.

“It was a cursed match for us as we could have scored four goals,” said the former Lazio man. “We were not lucky, but I am optimistic. I respect Bayern but I believe we can defeat them next week.”

[LuNo]

SACCHI: ‘Kakà is doing well with Milan’

MILAN - Arrigo Sacchi gave an interview to Spanish television station Cuatro in which he said: ‘I know Silvio Berlusconi very well and I am certain that he will not sell Kakà to Real Madrid. Kakà is doing well at Milan and he will not change sides.’

[Ange]

Thanks! I hope he goes to RMAD.

[LuNo]

You're welcome Ange

[LuNo]

Kaká braced for 'battle ahead'

Kaká's diary

AC Milan had victory in their hands against [FC] Bayern [München] in the first leg of the [uEFA] Champions League quarter-finals, and the fact we let it slip through our fingers on the last kick of the game meant we didn't leave the San Siro with smiles on our faces. I don't think there's any need for desperation, though. As much as Bayern deserve respect, not only because of their history but also because of the quality players they've got, AC Milan can win in Munich. I have a feeling the duel there will be one of those historic European nights.

High expectations

The game in Milan has already shown both sides can definitely rise to people's expectations. I know people will concentrate on the controversies surrounding the referee's decisions, including the penalty that gave us a 2-1 lead, but please leave me out of this pointless argument. Blaming the referee has become such a cliché and I really don't think it's fair to judge the official for a decision he has to make in a fraction of a second. It's very easy to accuse them later, after everybody has seen the replays on TV.

'Powerhouse'

Some people in Munich might see it differently, but I think AC Milan dominated the game at the San Siro and were superior to Bayern. This is the main positive we will take to the away match. We are convinced we can outplay them in front of their supporters. By can, I don't mean we will, but it's important for us to keep our heads up. AC Milan are a powerhouse in the Champions League because they rarely do badly in the competition.

'Mental resilience'

Because this season has been tough so far, maybe we will have the mental resilience to face this next challenge, which is why I won't be daydreaming about the goals I've already scored. Every single one of them is special and perhaps last season I'd have laughed at anyone who suggested I could finish as the Champions League's top scorer. Goals are scored for the team and I want to score more to take us further and further, but if a team-mate scores a series of hat-tricks, it's not a problem for me at all.

'Battle ahead'

Bayern know their advantage is not huge and it's hard to believe they might sit back on the away-goals rule in front of their crowd. Big clubs aren't like that. Nonetheless, it's up to AC Milan to make things happen. We've got to be intelligent and use our style and experience to breach their defence. This tie is far from over and I'm sure both sides are aware of the battle ahead.

[LuNo]

MILAN-EMPOLI

KEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Storari;

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

MIDFIELDERS: Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Serginho;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira, Ronaldo

[sandy]

Thank u LuNo

[LuNo]

You're welcome sandy

[sandy]

[LuNo]

Thanks Sandy

[LuNo]

MILAN-EMPOLI: OFFICIAL LINE-UPS

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Cafu, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff; Kakà; Gilardino, Ronaldo.

Empoli (4-3-1-2): Balli; Raggi, Adani, Pratali, Tosto; Buscè, Almiron, Moro; Vannucchi; Pozzi, Saudati.