Ancelotti ready to risk Ronaldo for AC Milan

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Ronaldo will play from the start today against Siena.

"Ronaldo is a striker who plays much better going deep than he used to. I am not interested if he can play 90 minutes, I'd be happy with 20%" smiled Ancelotti.

"He is not in perfect shape, considering the problems he has had over the past few months. Let us say he is in the same condition as he was against Napoli."

MILAN-SIENA

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Maldini, Nesta, Serginho;

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

STRIKERS: Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Paloschi.

AC Milan 1:0 Siena - match report

Scorer: Paloschi 63 (M)

A star is born, as 18-year-old Alberto Paloschi scored the winner 15 seconds into his Serie A debut!

The Rossoneri had risen to fifth place with a game in hand following three wins on the trot, but Alberto Gilardino was suspended, Kaka, Alexandre Pato and Gennaro Gattuso injured, so Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi formed an unlikely partnership. Siena were fresh from a shock 3-0 drubbing of Roma, following on from a victory over Palermo and a slender 3-2 loss to Inter.

Last season this tie ended 0-0, the first time Siena had emerged undefeated. Both goalkeepers were forced into splendid saves in the opening six minutes, as Zeljko Kalac flew to parry a Mario Frick snapshot and Alex Manninger had his palms stung by an Inzaghi counter-attack.

Siena hit the back of the net after 13 minutes, but the goal was disallowed for a very tight Tomas Locatelli offside position, as he may have been kept in play by Marek Jankulovski before he volleyed in from seven yards.

Serginho nutmegged Locatelli only to hit the side-netting, then Inzaghi spun round his marker to drill over the bar from Massimo Ambrosini's assist. Serginho was in splendid form in a rare start and some more fancy footwork sent Ronaldo clear, but Il Fenomeno's effort was charged down.

Inzaghi got in front of his marker at the near post to nod a Serginho cross on to the side-netting, while at the other end Massimo Maccarone was not alert enough to pounce on Lukas Jarolim's smart cross.

Milan made two substitutions at half-time and Manninger risked dismissal as he rushed out to clear outside the box, almost handling. Inzaghi was furious as he was stopped alone on goal for a debatable offside position, as Portanova seemed to be keeping him in play.

Yet on 51 minutes Siena went closer than anyone to a goal, Frick sweeping a right-foot strike on to the upright from nine yards.Substitute Clarence Seedorf lost the ball in midfield an Simone Vergassola launched Maccarone's counter, but Daniele Bonera did just enough to put him off and Kalac saved the shot.

Locatelli had another great chance for Siena, nodding over an empty net under no pressure. The San Siro crowd started to jeer and Carlo Ancelotti resorted to desperate measures - 18-year-old youth striker Alberto Paloschi.

It proved inspired, as 15 seconds into his debut the teen let the ball bounce and cracked a fantastic right-foot strike into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box! After Pato, another youngster made a sensational San Siro debut.

Siena were stunned, but fought back with Locatelli drilling past the post. Paloschi combined brilliantly with Inzaghi and had the crowd on its feet again, then Manninger flew to parry Seedorf's rocket from distance.

Simone Vergassola was shown a straight red card for stopping a clear scoring opportunity, as he raised his arm - albeit very close to the incident - to block Inzaghi's counter.

In the final minute Kalac performed a fantastic save on Frick's flicked header and Manninger went up for the last corner kick, but ended up causing more problems as he got in the way of teammate Simone Loria.

Milan: Kalac; Cafu, Nesta (Bonera 46), Maldini, Jankulovski; Brocchi, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Serginho (Paloschi 63); Ronaldo (Seedorf 46), Inzaghi

Siena: Manninger; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, De Ceglie; Jarolim (Kharja 73), Codrea, Vergassola; Locatelli (Forestieri 75); Maccarone, Frick

Ronaldo Injured Again & Maybe Out Of Arsenal Clash

AC Milan star Ronaldo has picked up yet another injury and is in serious doubt for next week’s Champions League game at Arsenal, according to reports in Italy.

El Fenomeno has had a disastrous season on the injury-front and only featured in one game before Christmas.

It seemed that the striker was working his way back to fitness when he scored twice against Napoli, and then impressed against Udinese last month.

Unfortunately the injuries then returned, although he was back in action during yesterday’s 1-0 win over Siena.

The 31-year-old only lasted the first 45 minutes, and it has been revealed that he is suffering from physical problems.

The striker is almost definitely out of this Wednesday’s Serie A match with Livorno, and he is also a big doubt for the weekend trip to Parma, and more worryingly next week’s Champions League tie in London against Arsenal.

This will come as a blow to Milan, who are also struggling to get Alexandre Pato and Kaka fit for the game.

Better news for the Rossoneri was the return of Filippo Inzaghi who played the whole 90 minutes yesterday, as well as the performance of 18-year-old Alberto Paloschi who scored with his first touch in Serie A football, and who many believe has a very bright future ahead of him.

Ronaldo To Retire In The Summer? :cry2:

Forever-injured Rossoneri striker Ronaldo is set to retire from football at the end of the season, according to unconfirmed reports in Milan.

The Brazilian has had a nightmare of a season due to injuries, making just one start before Christmas.

It seemed that his fitness was improving though when he lined up against Napoli in week 18 and scored two goals in a 5-2 win.

He impressed again the following week at Udinese, however then the injuries started to re-appear, and most recently he was forced off at half-time during Sunday’s match with Siena due to physical problems.

Ronaldo is definitely out of tomorrow’s clash with Livorno, and he is also a huge doubt for the weekend match with Parma and the Champions League tie with Arsenal in London.

The 31-year-old is said to be desperately depressed at continually picking up injuries and is ready to retire from the game altogether in the summer.

El Fenomeno’s contract at San Siro runs out in June, and the club is unwilling to offer him a new deal unless he can prove his fitness.

This is looking increasingly unlikely, although Ronaldo will have the option to return home and play for Flamengo.

As a replacement Milan are considering bringing back Marco Borriello or Nicola Pozzi, who are currently at Genoa and Empoli respectively. Another option is Chelsea’s Didier Drogba.

MILAN-LIVORNO

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Kaladze, Oddo, Serginho, Simic;

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

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Paloschi.

Ronaldo: The Galacticos Era Was A Mistake

Ronaldo has looked back with anger on the famous 'Galactico' era at Real Madrid, claiming that the superstar ethos at the time was a big mistake...

AC Milan striker Ronaldo was among the best in the world during his time at Real Madrid. Playing alongside the likes of Luis Figo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, the Bernabeu men were known as the "Galacticos."

But while such superstar status wowed the crowds and brought in the merchandising dollars, the forward himself was none too enamoured with the label.

"It ended badly because it started badly," he told Punto Radio.

"We never wanted nor sought such a description. In the end, we paid a price for something that we hadn't looked for."

Nonetheless, Ronaldo clearly retains some fondness for Madrid, looking at his former comrades and some new stars.

"Raul will play again for Spain because he's a very important player," he said of the club captain.

"Apart from his goals and quality, his leadership can turn a game.

"Guti? I was the first to say that he was a spectacular player, as well as a good person. Surely he misses playing with me!"

"Sergio Ramos has a very Italian style of play, and he's still very young," he added, moving on to the inevitable transfer talk on the Spaniard's proposed move to AC Milan.

One player who has been linked repeatedly with a switch in the opposite direction is Kaka.

Ronaldo, however, wouldn't be drawn on such rumours, nor would he tell his compatriot what to do.

"I can't advise anyone on this issue," he said.

"I can only say what I went through in Madrid. Kaka's situation here, considering his status with the club, would make it hard to change city and team. So, I can't give advice to anyone."

ANCELOTTI DISMISSES RONALDO RUMOURS

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has rubbished rumours regarding the future of Ronaldo and revealed the Brazilian could win a new deal with the Rossoneri.

Ronaldo's future at Milan has been questioned again after he suffered a new injury.

Reports from Brazil had suggested the former Real Madrid striker was considering retiring as he was so frustrated with his fitness, but Ancelotti has brushed off the speculation.

"Is Ronaldo retiring? You would have to ask him about that," said Ancelotti "But he seems fit to me and I haven't heard anything from him.

"He wasn't in the best condition to be playing on Sunday and if I'd had other options I wouldn't have played him."

Ronaldo's current contract expires in the summer, but Ancelotti says the forward could win a new deal if he proves his fitness.

"If he finds fitness, his contract will be renewed," added Ancelotti.

Ronaldo's Career Virtually Over

The career of Milan striker Ronaldo is virtually over after it was confirmed that he has completely severed the tendon in his left knee.

Ronaldo collapsed in the penalty area in agony just minutes after coming on as a substitute in tonight’s 1-1 draw with Livorno.

El Fenomeno was stretchered off the pitch in serious distress and he was in a flood of tears. The seriousness of the situation could be seen immediately as the Milan players were clearly shaken up by what they had seen.

Severed Tendon

Ronaldo was immediately rushed to hospital where tests revealed that he had completely severed the tendon in his left knee.

Milan's head of medicine Jean Pierre Meersseman revealed: "After Ronaldo's injury we decided at once to transfer the player to the Galeazzi hospital in Milan. It is one of the best orthopaedic hospitals in Europe.

"There's little to say about the seriousness of the injury - unfortunately they confirmed that it was a rupture to the tendons of his left knee.

"He will definitely need surgery. We are all distraught at what's happened."

Career Over?

The 31-year-old has already suffered this injury twice before, first in 1998 and then in 2000. In total, these have kept him out of the game for the best part of three years.

Even if he does recover, the kind of rehabilitation that would be required for him to return to action is something his body has not shown. As well, the risk of a relapse given his age and history will be so high that it could be risky for him to attempt a return.

With this in mind, and also considering the fact that reports yesterday suggested that he was already considering retirement at the end of the season, it seems highly likely that the great career of Ronaldo has come to an end.

Ancelotti Defensive

Fingers are being pointed at Carlo Ancelotti for rushing the player back, but he pleads not guilty.

"No. I do not know what happened, if he played it meant that he was able to play. We are not that crazy," he blasted, putting the focus on those who had cleared him for action.

However, he did admit that his hand was forced somewhat: "We had practically no choice, because Ronaldo and Inzaghi had not yet 90 minutes in their legs, and didn’t have continuity.

“Ronaldo needed work to improve his condition. It was an obvious choice, given the absence of Seedorf, Kakà and Pato.”

All Very Worried

"We are all very upset and worried about what happened to Ronaldo," Ancelotti continued. "I don't think I can say that his career is over because only time can tell when his career will end.

"For our part we can only be there for him and stay calm. His team-mates left the stadium in a hurry to go to the hospital and find out his condition. For us to be close to him is useful for him in such a delicate moment in his career.

"On Sunday he didn't play well but yesterday in training he was good, he seemed more alert, with better reactions and more ready.

"It's a pity because we value Ronie a lot, he has always played with great seriousness and great disposition. Ronie has always carried himself very well and has always looked to contribute to Milan."

Amelia: I Heard It Pop

Earlier, Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia had revealed that he had heard a terrible sound. “You can’t understand the noise Ronaldo’s knee made, I heard it though,” Amelia told Sky Sport Italia.

Milan’s Daniele Bonera also revealed that Ronaldo immediately knew that it was serious. “Straight away Ronaldo told us: It’s like last time,” he told Telelombardia.

Galliani Has The Final Word

The finer details will be available over the coming days, but Adriano Galliani had the final word on the night, admitting that the signs were ominous.

“He has already been seen by doctors at the Galleazzi where he was taken, he has a problem with the tendon in his left knee. The extent is not clear because they can’t do a complete diagnosis, he has a serious problem with his tendon,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

Life's Sense Of Irony

Earlier on Wednesday, Ancelotti had declared the player fit, and insisted he knew nothing of the retirement rumours.

"You'd have to ask him [about retirement]," he had said. "He appears fit to me and hasn't said anything else.

“On Sunday, I appreciated Ronie's will to help out, despite the fact that he wasn't in a good condition. If he finds the right conditions, his contract will be renewed.”

Life clearly has its own sense of irony.

====

This is disturbing

Ronaldo ruptures tendon in knee

Brazilian star's season in question after injury in draw

MILAN, Italy (AP) -- AC Milan forward Ronaldo ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a 1-1 draw with Livorno on Wednesday, and the Brazilian was carried off the field in tears.

The injury occurred two minutes after Ronaldo entered the game during a play that earned Milan an equalizing penalty.

Ronaldo was taken to a hospital, with the club saying the full extent of the damage was unknown.

"It's a problem with the tendon in his left knee, not the knee that was operated on in the past,'' Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told Italy's Sky TV. "The severity of it isn't known yet, but it's a serious problem.''

A three-time FIFA world player of the year, Ronaldo has battled injuries throughout his career.

He has played sparingly since joining Milan from Real Madrid in January 2007. Wednesday's match was only his fifth in Serie A this season.

Ronaldo injured his thigh July 31 during preseason training. He returned in November but has been on and off the roster due to a series of recurring problems.

Ronaldo career in balance after new injury

MILAN, Italy -- Brazilian star Ronaldo is facing an uncertain future after rupturing tendons in his left knee during AC Milan's 1-1 draw with Livorno on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo had only been on the field for three minutes as a substitute at the San Siro when he fell awkwardly.

It is another injury blow for the former World Cup hero who has barely played all season for the Italian giants and spent the winter break on rehabilitation in Brazil.

"We are all very upset and worried about what happened to Ronaldo. For our part we can only be there for him and stay calm," coach Carlo Ancelotti told the club's Web site.

"I don't think I can say that his career is over because only time can tell when his career will end."

Ronaldo traveled to Paris on Thursday to see Gerard Sailant, the same surgeon who treated him for a similar incident to his right knee in 2000.

Ronaldo is set to undergo surgery at the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital.

"He fears for his career," Milan president Silvio Berlusconi told Italian state RAI TV.

"I called him last evening and told him to believe in himself. He has enormous physical potential. This morning, he was going to France for an operation.

"As a 31-year-old, he's very young. He has an extraordinary physique, and I think within a few months he could return to being the champion that we all know him as."

But Thursday's Italian newspapers cast doubt on the striker's futurre.

"It's an injury that could end the career of 'Il Fenomeno'," Gazetta dello Sport headlined.

"The recovery time is dramatic: from nine months to a year."

Ronaldo's injury, which occured in the incident which led to a penalty for AC Milan, totally overshadowed the match.

Andrea Pirlo subsequently equalized from the spot for the faltering European champions after Nico Pulzetti had given Livorno a surprise lead early in the second half.

AC Milan striker Ronaldo heads for surgery in Paris

ROME (AFP) - Revisiting his injury-blighted past, Brazilian veteran Ronaldo prepared to fly to Paris for surgery on Thursday after rupturing a tendon in his right knee during AC Milan's 1-1 draw with Livorno, media reports said.

Ronaldo will almost certainly miss the remainder of the season with Gazetta dello Sport reporting overnight that the 31-year-old faces nine months on the sidelines.

Renowned surgeon Professor Gerard Saillant will supervise the surgery, according to the Ansa news agency.

Ansa said Ronaldo, who joined Milan in January last year from Real Madrid, arrived at Milan airport around 0900 GMT along with his fiancee and club official and compatriot Leonardo, as well as club doctor Massimiliano Sala and physiotherapist Bruno Mazziotti.

Italian media speculated whether, after the catalogue of knee injuries that "Il Fenomeno" has suffered in the past, Ronaldo's latest setback might spell the end of the world champion's career.

In November 1999 and again five months later, he suffered similar problems but returned after the best part of two years on the sidelines following surgery by Professor Saillant to lift the World Cup with Brazil, scoring in the final win over Germany and finishing tournament top scorer.

"It is Ronaldo who asked to be operated on in Paris by the team that put his right knee straight eight years ago," Jean-Pierre Meersseman, chief of AC Milan's medical staff, revealed overnight Wednesday.

AC Milan owner and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said he believed Ronaldo would be back.

"I spoke with Ronaldo yesterday (Wednesday) and said he must believe in himself. He has extraordinary physical potential and I think he can be back within months to being the champion that he is," Berlusconi said.

With Ronaldo having suffered the bulk of his previous serious injuries playing for Inter Milan before heading to Real, his latest setback has found sympathy at his old club on the black and blue half of town and Inter chairman Massimo Moratti on Thursday wished him well.

"I hope he gets better soon. But clearly one can at the moment speak of a career in danger, as one said previously first time round (in 1999 and 2000)," Moratti said.

"But Ronaldo is tough mentally and physically and the surgeons know him, while he knows what to expect, which should help things," Moratti hoped.

Ronaldo was injured just minutes after entering the fray as a second-half substitute and was taken to hospital.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti refused overnight to call time on Ronaldo's career.

"We're all very sorry and worried about what happened to Ronaldo, I don't want to say it's the end of his career because only time can decide whether it is or not," he said.

"From our part all we can do is stand by him and let him recover."

Ronaldo underwent an X-ray at hospital and Milan's club doctor Jean-Pierre Messerman later confirmed he had indeed suffered the same injury.

Nonetheless, amid the gloom, another doctor, Walter Pascale, had some good news for Ronaldo.

"Surgical techniques to repair this kind of injury have improved a lot over the last eight years," he said late Wednesday.

"If things go as they should he should get back to his best. However it's difficult at this time to say for how long he will be out."

AC Milan 1:1 Livorno - match report

Scorers: Pulzetti 50 (L), Pirlo pen 61 (M)

Milan were held to a 1-1 home draw by Livorno, but above all the team is in shock after Ronaldo was stretchered off with a serious knee injury.

This fixture was rescheduled from December 16 due to the Rossoneri's Club World Cup commitments and was the last Serie A game to be moved from that period, but after four wins on the trot they knew another victory would see them leapfrog Fiorentina into fourth place.

Kaka, Alexandre Pato, Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi were injured, so Alberto Paloschi got his first start just three days after scoring in the opening 20 seconds of his Serie A debut. Yoann Gourcuff supported the 18-year-old and Alberto Gilardino. Livorno came off a 1-1 draw with Genoa and were just three points clear of the drop zone.

After five minutes Andrea Pirlo's snapshot was palmed round the near post by Marco Amelia, then back-to-back Gourcuff and Massimo Ambrosini efforts were charged down inside the box.

Ambrosini's haphazard cross turned into a shot that Amelia flapped out from under the bar. Pirlo dispossessed a player in midfield and threaded through for Paloschi, who lost his footing at the key moment and allowed Amelia to save.

Livorno had their first attempt on 18 minutes, as Francesco Tavano spun round to drill over the bar, but it was all Milan as Gourcuff smashed a powerful left-foot drive past the woodwork.

A free kick was floated to the back post and Tavano was left unmarked thanks to Massimo Oddo's error, but Ambrosini did just enough to put him off as he fired high from eight yards.

The best chance of the game so far saw Ambrosini's diving header fingertipped round the base of the post by a spectacular Amelia save. The Italian international goalkeeper was tested again by a Pirlo snapshot.

Livorno's chances of getting points here were hit when Tavano limped off clutching the back of his thigh just before half-time. Straight after the restart, Gennaro Gattuso risked a penalty with a sliding tackle on Antonio Flippini, but it was clean.

However, it was Livorno who took a shock lead on 50 minutes. Nico Pulzetti gathered a weak Kakha Kaladze clearance, took it to his stronger left foot and unleashed a rocket into the far top corner from just inside the box. It was a fine way to celebrate his 24th birthday.

Gilardino requested a penalty, but the ball ricocheted off Fabio Galante's leg and on to his arm, so was not a spot-kick offence. Carlo Ancelotti completely revamped the strikeforce with a double substitution, introducing the not 100 per cent fit Ronaldo and Inzaghi.

Within a couple of minutes the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty as Jose Luis Vidigal struck Oddo's cross. Most of the attention was on Ronaldo, who fell in that move and was stretchered off clutching his left knee. The Brazilian was crying in agony and his teammates seemed very shaken, fearing the worst.

Pirlo kept his cool to convert the spot-kick and draw Milan level, while Serginho came off the bench. Initial reports suggest Ronaldo has sustained a serious tendon injury in his left knee and the fall was not entirely dissimilar to the horrific injury he suffered on April 12, 2000.

Ambrosini moved further up the field to fill in and there were long-range efforts from Inzaghi and Diamanti.

On 76 minutes an Inzaghi diving header was somehow pushed off the line by a crucial Amelia reaction save.

In the final minute Livorno risked a winner with Pulzetti again. He was totally unmarked at the back post and came sliding on to a cross, but couldn't make decent contact and the ball was trapped under his body.

Milan: Kalac; Oddo, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Gourcuff; Paloschi (Inzaghi 57), Gilardino (Ronaldo 57) (Serginho 62)

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante; A Filippini, Pulzetti, De Vezze, Vidigal (Pavan 84), Pasquale; Tavano (Diamanti 45), Tristan (Rossini 77)

:cry: :cry: