Frey fears Kaka encounter

Sebastien Frey knows he will have a tough time on Sunday, as the Fiorentina goalkeeper comes face to face with world class Kaka.

“We will travel to Milan to face a very concentrated and on form team. I do not expect any gifts from the Rossoneri,” said the Frenchman.

“Ronaldo has been a Fenomeno for many years, while Kaka is among the best in the world right now. He can make the difference and is both talented and capable.”

The former Inter striker is a major doubt for Sunday’s game and could well be out for the rest of the season if the initial diagnosis of a thigh strain is confirmed, though that isn’t making the preparation any easier for Frey.

“Milan have no real second string squad, as they can quite happily put out two competitive starting elevens. Whoever Carlo Ancelotti decides to start, we will be facing champions.”

Nor does the shot-stopper believe there will the Champions League afford any distraction.

“The Rossoneri will want to be concentrated against us so they can maintain their momentum going into the Final.”

Fiorentina are also in good shape, as shown by their tally of 12 points in the last five rounds. However, they record at San Siro is less impressive with eight wins, 17 draws and 41 defeats.

“We have improved throughout the season in terms of team spirit, play and character,” said Frey.

“The 2-2 draw we had with Milan back in December still hurts a little bit, as we conceded the equaliser in the final minute, but we will not focus on the points we dropped.”

The goalkeeper also respects his Rossoneri counterpart, under-fire Brazilian Nelson Dida.

“He went through a difficult time, but he remains one of the best in the world and is getting back on track.”

Fiorentina risk their own distraction for this weekend, as the newspapers are full of talk about Luca Toni’s imminent switch to Bayern Munich.

“These stories do not disturb us much, as we are used to hearing them every day now. Toni is relaxed and happy. He is important in terms of spirit for this side as well as his goals.”

MILAN - FIORENTINA

KEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Storari;

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

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

STRIKERS: Borriello, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira.

OFFICIAL LINE-UP: MILAN-FIORENTINA

MILAN: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka , Serginho; Ricardo Oliveira

FIORENTINA: Frey; Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Pasqual; Pazienza, Liverani, Montolivo; Reginaldo, Pazzini, Mutu

Milan 0: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Brocchi 76), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà, Serginho (Jankulovski 46); Ricardo Oliveira (Inzaghi 68)

Fiorentina 0: Frey; Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Gamberini (Dainelli 51), Pasqual; Pazienza, Liverani (Blasi 64), Montolivo; Reginaldo (Kuzmanovic 84), Pazzini, Mutu

Ref: Rosetti

Missed penalty: Kaka 26 (M)

AC Milan 0:0 Fiorentina - match report

Kaka missed a penalty and had a goal controversially disallowed in this stalemate at the San Siro with Fiorentina.

Although both teams were docked points in the Calciopoli scandal, this was still a head-to-head battle for a place in Europe. A win would all but secure the Rossoneri's Champions League status - days after earning a place in the Athens Final against Liverpool - while the Viola were looking to claim a UEFA Cup spot.

Luca Toni was left at home with a recurring ankle problem (and insistent rumours he's moving to Bayern Munich), but Milan may have lost Ronaldo for the rest of the season due to a thigh strain. With Alberto Gilardino suspended, Carlo Ancelotti was unable to rest his key players.

Milan hit the back of the net after six minutes, but the goal was controversially disallowed. Giuseppe Favalli robbed Martin Jorgensen in his new right-back slot and crossed for Kaka's header, but the Brazilian was judged to have pushed his marker. It was an extremely generous decision, as there barely seemed to be contact.

Giampaolo Pazzini was sent clear by Alessandro Potenza's through ball and Nelson Dida skid forward to block at the Under-21 international's feet. Pazzini held up the ball for Reginaldo's splendid half-volley that Dida fingertipped on to the woodwork.

Soon after there was more controversy, this time against Fiorentina, as Alessandro Gamberini was judged to have handled the ball inside the area, when it seemed to be an unlucky ricochet off his chest and then on to his arm. Kaka took the penalty and it struck the inside of the near post to go all the way across the face of goal and back out again.

Adrian Mutu had a wonderful opportunity to give Fiorentina the lead when he pounced on Kakha Kaladze's error, but veteran Favalli dived in with a decisive tackle as the last line of defence.

On the stroke of half-time Ricardo Oliveira's splendid angled drive from the edge of the area was fingertipped round the post by Frey.

Andrea Pirlo's screamer was just over and then the midfielder sent Cafu clear in the area, but although his first touch was sensational, something between a cross and a shot saw the chance go begging.

Pirlo fired one of his trademark free kicks just past the post and at the other end Pazzini's snapshot drifted wide of the woodwork. Deep into stoppages Kaladze's desperate tackle charged down Pazzini at the by-line.

Kaka dig at Barcelona: I hope Real Madrid win Liga

AC Milan midfield ace Kaka has indicated where his loyalties lie regarding Spain's Primera Liga.

A target for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Brazilian said: "I hope that Real Madrid win the Liga, even if I have many friends at Barcelona and Sevilla.

"Real? I don't want to talk about them. I want to only talk about Milan. Is the door open to Real in the future? I can't answer that.

"The Bernabeu? It's one of the beautiful stadiums where I have never played in Europe."

I Hope Real Win La Liga – Kaka

Real Madrid’s main object of desire Kaka has revealed that he will be supporting the Merengues in the title run-in.

The Milan star has been continually linked with a move to the Bernabeu despite the Rossoneri insisting he is not for sale.

On Sunday Real moved into second place in La Liga, two points behind Barcelona, after a 3-1 win over Sevilla.

"I hope that Real Madrid win the Liga, even if I have many friends at Barcelona and Sevilla," said Kaka.

"Real? I don't want to talk about them. I want to only talk about Milan. Is the door open to Real in the future? I can't answer that.

"The Bernabeu? It's one of the beautiful stadiums where I have never played in Europe."

Adidas Hq:

Thanks Aga

Kaka drops Copa America

Kaka has sent a letter to the Brazilian Federation asking to be left out of the Copa America. “I haven’t rested for three seasons and could not perform.”

The Milan starlet has just turned 25 and is a favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for 2007, but as he prepares for the Champions League Final, he is already looking ahead to next season.

“I am always proud to be called up for the national team and, in view of a possible call for the Copa America, I believe I would not be in the ideal condition to give the performances expected of me at international level. I have not rested for three seasons,” said the letter printed on the Cbf official website.

As the Rossoneri cannot qualify in the top two of Serie A, they will have to go through a preliminary round in August – leaving Kaka precious little time to rest as the Copa America runs in Venezuela from June 26 to July 15.

“I thank you for your comprehension and with this letter formalise my request to be released from Copa America duty. My pride at wearing the Brazil shirt is untouched and I hope to feel that joy in other occasions.”

Before this request, only one other player had asked to be left out of the tournament, when Barcelona’s Ronaldinho pulled out.

Brazil Coach Carlos Dunga said he was “disappointed” at losing Kaka, but that this would be an opportunity for other players to shine.

Kaka's map to Athens

Kaka has urged Milan to bring in Andriy Shevchenko and Ronaldinho next season, revealing as a child he mapped out his career leading up to Athens.

“I chose Milan because in San Paolo I played alongside Leonardo for six months and he was constantly outlining how great the club was,” explained the 25-year-old who was snapped up for just over £5m in 2003.

“I was very young when I planned out my career. I was going to play for a big club in Brazil, then come to Europe, to Italy, take part in a World Cup and Olympics. At the end of the map was the Champions League Final.”

He will play his second Final on May 23 against Liverpool, the same side that beat the Rossoneri in the 2005 edition on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

“Steven Gerrard is more important to them than Rafa Benitez. He is a great player, a leader on the field and a real focal point for Liverpool,” Kaka told the ‘Corriere dello Sport.’

Another Premiership player will be cheering on Milan, as the club invited Shevchenko to sit in the stands as their guest in Athens. Should the Ukrainian perhaps regret his decision to join Chelsea?

“I am pleased he’ll be there and I wouldn’t speak of a wrong choice. Perhaps in two or three years he will have won everything with Chelsea. Of course it’s worse for him to be in the stands cheering on his ex-teammates.

“It is also disappointing for me, because he is a great friend and a real champion. I would definitely like him back at Milan, so if the President decided to bring him in, I’d be happy.”

Another star Kaka has publicly backed for a San Siro switch is his Brazil teammate Ronaldinho, who was on the end of a fan protest after Barcelona’s Copa del Rey debacle this week.

“He is a great player and there’s no secret we have an excellent rapport. Ronaldinho at Milan would be wonderful, as he’s one of the best in the world. His arrival would be positive both for me and the club.”

If Ronaldinho is the subject of transfer speculation, then so is Kaka, as Real Madrid continue to offer record-breaking fees.

“I have said a thousand times that I have a contract with Milan until 2011 and will respect it. After the summer holidays, unless there are truly extraordinary decisions, I will be a Milan player.

“Only the club can sell me, so if they don’t opt to kick me out, I will remain. I am happy here and feel at home. My family feels good here too and I have the opportunity to learn a great deal.”

Already the Champions League top scorer, Kaka is the hot favourite to pick up the Ballon d’Or at the end of 2007.

“I am in good form as I reached the top at the right time, but I know that overall I can and must improve. It is an individual prize and I leave it to the media to make that decision. In any case, to win the Ballon d’Or you need a team behind you and this is why I am only focused on Athens.”

Kaka hails European AC Milan

Kaká was pleased with Milan’s performance against Catania, which saw the Rossoneri qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The San Siro outfit was held to a 1-1 draw by the Sicilian outfit on Bologna’s neutral turf and failed to finish many scoring opportunities, but can now focus on the Champions League Final with Liverpool.

“I think we played a good match today, especially in the first half,” said Kaká.

“Both sides were affected by the heat today, but we managed to do well. We were not that effective after the break, but I think that’s normal considering the heat and the fatigue.

“Now there is the game with Udinese, but we have reached our objective for next year’s Champions League preliminary round and this allows us to focus on the Final. We achieved an important result.”

Teammate Filippo Inzaghi was also happy with the result and eager to play the most important match of the season in Athens on May 23.

“I honestly thought that the goal I scored was valid, but the important things is that we qualified for the preliminary round of the Champions League next year,” said Inzaghi, whose goal was ruled out for offside.

“We hope to do well in Athens. The heat held us back a bit, but we played a good game. Now, we will be playing for the big one in ten days,” concluded the world champion.

KAKA' GENTLEMAN ROSSONERO

Kakà has received the Siro Gentleman A.C.Milan Award, as voted by visitors to their site and subscribers to Milan Channel. The award was presented at a ceremony in Milan on Monday evening.

KAKA': 'Milan have been good, criticism unjust'

Speaking at the Siro Gentleman A.C.Milan Award gala, Ricky Kakà told journalists: 'The first objective to reach the preliminaries has been reached. Now we are just missing the second. Anyway, we are in the final and very pleased with that. Milan have been very criticised this year, now I believe that everyone should be recognised when they are good.' Kakà also maintained how attached he was to the Rossoneri and how he wanted to win lots more with the team.