Atalanta 2:1 AC Milan - match report

Scorers: Gattuso 16 (M), Langella 42 (A), Tissone 68 (A)

Milan dominated possession, but Alexandre Pato's misses proved decisive as Atalanta emerged with a shock 2-1 victory in the rescheduled Week 12 game.

This match was abandoned on November 11 after just eight minutes when Atalanta fans threatened to riot if play continued despite the death earlier that day of a Lazio supporter. When it was replayed behind closed doors, Alexandre Pato had become an official Milan player and partnered Alberto Gilardino, who was fresh from a winning stoppage-time goal away to Udinese this past weekend. Zeljko Kalac filled in for the injured Nelson Dida, while Andrea Pirlo returned from suspension.

Cristiano Doni fired over from a promising position, while Fernando Coppola rushed out to close down Pato. Milan started to pile on the pressure as Kakha Kaladze had a great chance from a corner and Clarence Seedorf's follow-up from the edge of the box was turned out for another set-piece.

Moments later the Rossoneri took the lead with an unlikely hero. Gennaro Gattuso's cross-shot took a deflection off Doni to fly past a helpless Coppola. If it is eventually credited to Gattuso, it will be only his seventh Serie A goal.

Milan continued to dominate with Pirlo's free kick and a Gilardino header off target before Coppola palmed Pato's snapshot from a tight angle round the post.

The 18-year-old should have done better on 34 minutes, as he pounced on Moris Carrozzieri's error only to fire wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Pato also failed to make the most of a Kaka cross that Gila had dummied for the youngster at the back post.

These proved to be costly errors, as just before the break Atalanta equalised. Guarente held up the ball for Antonio Langella to dribble past two defenders with a smart feint and rifle his finish past Kalac.

Langella went on the counter and just failed to double his tally, while Gilardino's goal was disallowed for a clear offside position. There were penalty appeals for Carrozzieri's clumsy challenge on Gilardino, but the referee waved play on.

Ronaldo replaced the disappointing Pato, who had wasted so many good chances in the first half, while Doni went off with a thigh problem.

Atalanta focused mainly on pressuring Milan all over the park and it's a tactic that paid off on 68 minutes. Bellini's pass over the defence cut out Kakha Kaladze, so substitute Simone Inzaghi drew out Kalac and rolled across for Fernando Tissone to tap into an empty net.

Inzaghi fired straight at Kalac on the counter and a Carrozzieri daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the near post.

On 76 minutes Ronaldo pounced on a terrible backpass and was clear on goal, but blasted the ball at goalkeeper Coppola from point-blank range. It was another costly miss from the wasteful Milan strikers.

Atalanta thought they had put the win beyond doubt, but when Tissone's screamer ricocheted off the crossbar and was tapped back in by Sergio Floccari, the former Messina striker was offside.

Coppola kept his men in front with a desperate save on Kaka, put through by Seedorf. In stoppages Massimo Oddo drilled over from a corner kick.

Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone (Padoin 80), Guarente, Langella (De Ascentis 65); Doni (S Inzaghi 54); Floccari

Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Oddo 71), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 83), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato (Ronaldo 64), Gilardino

Ronaldo out injured again

ROME (AFP) - Brazilian superstar Ronaldo will miss AC Milan's match against Genoa on Sunday due to a muscle problem, the club said on Saturday.

Ronaldo has played only four times this season due to a combination of calf and thigh injuries but he had appeared in all three of Milan's league encounters since the turn of the year.

He started in the victories against Napoli and Udinese and came off the bench in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Atalanta.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was hoping to restore his Brazilian attacking triumverate of Kaka, Pato and Ronaldo after having replaced 'Il Fenomeno' with Italy international Alberto Gilardino for the Atalanta trip but that will not be possible now.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has once again denied rumours that the European champions are trying to lure Barcelona forward Ronaldinho to the San Siro.

"He is not part of Milan's future," insisted Ancelotti.

The Football Oscar 2008

Thanks LuNo and Diego Bion!

RONALDO======="CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS"

You're welcome Cindy!!!!!!!!!!!

And thanks for the pics Diego Bion & Cindy

Ronaldo: I Want Ronaldinho At Milan

Milan star Ronaldo has revealed that he would love to see fellow compatriot Ronaldinho join the club, but has admitted that it will be a difficult transfer to complete.

Ronaldinho is currently having a miserable season on-and-off the pitch in Barcelona, and he seems very likely to leave at the end of the season.

There are only a handful of clubs in world football who realistically could afford to sign the 27-year-old, with reports suggesting that it will be a straight fight between Milan, Inter and Premierships-powerhouses Chelsea.

The Rossoneri seemed to be the frontrunners before Christmas, with President Silvio Berlusconi, a long-time admirer of the player, hinting on a number of occasions about a possible move.

However, following their new multi-million-pound sponsorship deal with Nike, the same sponsor of Ronaldinho, Inter have fast emerged as favourites.

Ronaldo however is still holding on to hope that his ex-Selecao team-mate will be hooking up with him at San Siro.

"Could he come to Milan? It would be beautiful,” said Ronaldo.

“However I know it will be a difficult operation."

Even if Ronaldinho does join, there is no guarantee Roanldo will still be at the club, as he has still not signed a new contract with the club, which runs out in June.

Ancelotti: Ronaldo Should Return On Sunday

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti says that Ronaldo, along with fellow injury victims Filippo Inzaghi, Marek Jankulovski and Serginho should be fit enough to return in time for the weekend.

The Rossoneri travel to Fiorentina on Sunday night in a game that could prove crucial to Milan’s hopes of finishing the season in the top four Champions League qualifying places.

However first of all Milan face an away game at Reggina tonight, a re-scheduled clash from week 15.

"Reggina will close down a lot, and will have a prudent attitude, so it will be tough,” admitted Ancelotti.

“It will be a type of game similar to those already faced before. At Bergamo [on Sunday], Reggina [who came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2] were at their best when they went behind.”

“At Reggio we want to do well. It will not be easy, but we know that the moment is very important especially for the very delicate game on Sunday. We want to prepare ourselves in the best conditions, standings and results.”

Ancelotti also cleared up a few issues over injured players, and he revealed that Dida is fit again and could return tonight in place of Zeljko Kalac.

"Those who play at Reggio will play with a lot of determination, strength and tenacity,” Carletto continued.

“The injured players? Dida is available and he could play. I think that all of them, Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Jankulovksi and Serginho can be available for Sunday. Maldini will remain at home to work to avoid playing two games in three days.”

Milan will move up to sixth in the table with victory over Reggina tonight.

Oscar del Calcio

Thank you very much Sandy

AC Milan medical chiefs in dark over Ronaldo injury

AC Milan medical chiefs cannot detect the latest muscular injury Ronaldo is suffering from.

Corriere dello Sport says tests have been unable to uncover the root cause of Ronaldo's latest injury, with the striker claiming last week it was a minor calf strain.

Milan chiefs are eager to get Ronaldo fighting fit as they fear he may lapse into depression if he cannot get back on the training track.

Thank Youu LuNo!

Ronald is So Cute

You're welcome Cindy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaká: Ronaldo Is Second Only To Pelé In Brazil

AC Milan midfielder Kaká believes that his club team-mate Ronaldo is second only to Pelé in the list of great Brazilian footballers.

Speaking to FIFA.com, Kaká did not shy away from expressing his appreciation for his team-mate and friend.

"Ronaldo is number one. In the history of the Brazilian soccer, he is only behind Pelé," he stated.

The midfielder was speaking after missing out on Brazil's narrow 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday and reiterated his desire to be part of the U-23 team that will go to the Olympics in Beijing later this year.

"I want to go the Olympics because Brazil has won almost everything, but have still not been able to win Olympic Gold in football. I never got the chance to play in them when I was the right age and therefore I hope to be included as one of the three players over twenty-three in the summer."

Kaká was asked about the tough regime that new England coach Fabio Capello seems keen to enforce, but did not feel that such an approach is always effective.

"In the World Cup in 2002, after each game we had one day of rest and before the departures we could tan a little in the sun. We could also use mobile phones and we were successful. We were clearly always very professional.

"In 2006, a different regime was adopted and we were only allowed out at certain times with more restrictions and the results were not positive."

Finally, Kaká was asked what being world club champions meant to AC Milan and the players.

"We are the world-wide champion of clubs and until December nobody can take that away from us.

"It would be wonderful to win another Champions League title so we can defend the trophy," he concluded.

Ronaldo wants Euro glory with AC Milan

Ronaldo has declared he wants to win the Champions League with AC Milan this season.

The Brazil striker is fit for their clash with Siena and said: "I have not yet won the Champions League, so I will do everything I can to bring it back home with Milan." On their match against Siena, Ronaldo added: "This is going to be an important game. We are make up for lost ground after a bad start and to win here would be crucial.

"A year ago I was able to give my contribution, this year a little less. I am disappointed at all the injuries I had in my career and think there were many mistakes both from the medical staff and from me.

"Now I hope to get some consistency into my performances because being here at Milan is wonderful and very motivating. I am determined to do well."