March 2, 200718 yr NEWS ON THE INJUREDRONALDO: 'Ronaldo picked up a knock against Sampdoria and has not been able to train well. We'll see against Chievo. His fitness makes us very optimistic, he's losing weight, he has lost three kgs but the objective is to build muscle mass so fat mass is not the problem.'
March 2, 200718 yr Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Ronaldo will play against Chievo and confirmed that Kakà is sticking with Milan for the long haulMILANELLO – Carlo Ancelotti spoke ahead of Saturday’s Milan-Chievo match at the San Siro: ‘In the first half of the season we lost to Palermo, Inter and Roma but things were different then. Now, the matches are more predictable and it will be the same against Inter and Roma too. Chievo have some important players out, but they have assimilated Del Neri’s ideas well and they are in good form. They defeated Torino and came close to winning against Roma. Chievo are strong on the counter-attack and at the same time are able to keep the squad nicely balanced.’Ancelotti continued: ‘Now we must find consistency in the results and in the team’s performance. We must fine tune some things because with the mass of opportunities created in the games like in Glasgow and Palermo, we should win. However, the team are solid and in this moment they can defeat anyone. The fixture list isn’t ideal, but it is more or less fixed. Just one final push. After the derby, the fixture list improves and it will give us time to recover for all of the games that await us. We will have Massimo Oddo and Marek Jankulovski back for tomorrow. As for the others, it's difficult for Paolo Maldini, Kakha Kaladze and Marcos Cafu to recover. Pippo Inzaghi is doing better, but he must train today. All of these players should recover in time for Wednesday night. Some of the players are off, like Massimo Ambrosini. There is only some doubt about whether to play two or three strikers, Kakà-Ronaldo or Kakà-Gilardino-Ronaldo.’Taking a general round-up of Milan’s current form, Ancelotti said: ‘We are going through a good moment and we can obtain just about any result. It is fundamental to defeat Celtic and to remain clasped to fourth place. It is an important moment and we are facing it with confidence. We can play to our best until the end of the season. The attack are lacking both lucidity and decision-making in the finishing. We must find different solutions, even long-range shots, in addition to more determination at dead-ball situations. Lazio, Palermo and Fiorentina are the teams that are in the chase with us for fourth place. Empoli are having an important season, even if on paper they aren't getting the credit. The others are doing really well and they have this objective alone, this could be a deciding factor. However, we absolutely do not want to give up playing to our full potential in the Champions League. As for Ronaldo, if we play with eleven we can try more often to play with one striker. Against Sampdoria, the difficulties were down to the fact that we were in ten. Nevertheless, Ronaldo will play tomorrow night.’He then touched on various themes: ‘Kakà is in excellent form and played really well in the first half against Palermo. His finishing is just something he is going through at the moment. He is pretty much cool as ice in front of the goal. I hope that besides his mistakes in scoring, Kakà can always play like he did against Palermo and that he can find consistency in this respect. I’m inclined to think that he is pretty much tired of always answering the same questions… he will stay with Milan because he likes the environment and he has a long contract. He is correct when he says that only God can ever really know what someone’s future will be. Kakà’s idea is to stay or else he wouldn’t have prolonged his contract. Ronaldino is a great champion, but if he doesn’t come here then Milan will survive all the same. As for Cannavaro, I’ve coached him and I have only positive things to say. However, today I prefer to speak about Daniele Bonera because he is playing really well. He is proving what he can do playing with Milan. Bonera is a very serious guy. He adapted very well here and with every game the confidence in him grows as he is very commanding. He is a delightful surprise. As for the Champions League, watch out because all three of the Spanish sides could be eliminated and it’s still wide open. The Italian teams can put on a good show. Inter have perhaps the most difficult task, but they have the potential to defeat Valencia. Even for Roma the 0-0 isn’t a result to throw away. If the derby is played during the day, it wouldn’t change much even though I think it is more interesting at night.’Ancelotti ended by speaking about Clarence Seedorf: ‘My relationship with him remains the same even if there is some kind of discussion or friction. It’s totally genuine. I don’t think that he will need to rest tomorrow night, but we’ll see. As for the booing, he is a player with an extraordinary personality. He is a positive person. He reacts to everything, being proud and determined. Certainly, when I choose the line-up it won’t be based on these things.’
March 2, 200718 yr MILAN-CHIEVOKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Storari; DEFENDERS: Bonera, Favalli, Grimi, Jankulovski, Oddo, Simic; MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf;STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira, Ronaldo.
March 4, 200718 yr GALLIANI ON KAKA', RONALDINHO AND RONALDOAdriano Galliani has been speaking on local radio station, Radio Deejay: 'I have always said that Barcelona would not all Ronaldinho to leave just as we will never not get rid of Kakà. I was not the only one responsible for Ronaldo's arrival, every purchase is taken with agreement with the president and the coach. I can confirm that Desailly has been offered a role as scout for Africa and France. Calciopoli made it the most difficult summer of my life. Pancalli has been doing excellent work but now FIGC needs a president.'
March 4, 200718 yr Ronaldo revs up for derbyRonaldo went off with cramp last night, but insists he’ll be at the top of his game next Sunday – against Inter in the Milan derby.“It was a good performance and all I was missing was a goal,” he said of the 3-1 win over Chievo, in which he set up Massimo Oddo’s strike.“I knew that slowly I would rediscover my form. Physical fitness is the most important thing and I hope to be at the top of my game for the derby.”It will be the first time Ronaldo has faced his former Inter teammates since the switch to their arch rivals, though he is not feeling anxious ahead of the March 11 showdown.“I cannot play in the Champions League, so I have a whole week to train before the big match. I aim to take full advantage of that opportunity,” added Il Fenomeno.“I’d like to score in every game, but I know that won’t be possible. Actually, I was told that the goal I had disallowed in the first half for offside was valid, but these things happen.”Ronaldo is cup-tied and will be in the stands for Wednesday’s European encounter with Celtic, as his teammates must win to reach the quarter-finals following the 0-0 first leg result in Glasgow.“I do miss the Champions League, but I’ll be there to support Milan and hope all goes well against Celtic. We know we have no choice but to win this one game.”Ronaldinho continues to be linked with the Rossoneri and his fellow Brazilian was asked to comment on newspaper rumours the Barcelona ace had also put on a lot of weight.“People make up stories and then we have to deny them. Ronaldinho lifted up his shirt to show he wasn’t overweight, but he didn’t even need to prove anything. The same goes for me…”President Silvio Berlusconi added more fuel to the Ronaldinho fire despite his claims he would stay at Barca for life.“If he leaves the club, Milan will be in pole position for Ronaldinho. I guarantee it,” said the former Italian Prime Minister. “I don’t believe in these lifetime pledges.”
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