31/1/2001 Milan looking at Mboma

Milan are looking at unsettled striker Patrick Mboma, currently at Parma.

30/1/2000 Brncic transferred to Vicenza !!!!

Contrary to what was being rumoured, Drazen Brncic, Milan's Croat midfielder has been sent on loan to Vicenza till the end of the season.

28/1/2000 Brncic transferred to Perugia ???

Drazen Brncic, Milan's Croat midfielder transferred from Monza at the start of the season has been transferred to Perugia.

28/1/2000 Serie A

Milan continue to lose ground

-----

Brescia------ -----Milan

---1 -----------------1

27' Bierhoff (M), 48' Hubner (B)

Brescia: Castellazzi; Petruzzi, Calori, Bonera; Diana (93' Esposito), E.Filippini, Yllana, A.Filippini, Kozminski; Pirlo (84' Tare), Hubner (82' Marino).

Manager: Mazzone.

Milan: Abbiati; Roque Junior, Costacurta, Maldini; Helveg, Albertini, Ambrosini (74' Pablo Garcia), Coco; Jose' Mari (78' Boban), Bierhoff (72' Comandini), Shevchenko.

Manager: Zaccheroni.

Referee: Farina

Yellow cards: Petruzzi (B), Filippini (B), Costacurta (M), Albertini (M), Coco (M)

A bad pass back from Maldini, paved the way for the veteran Dario Hubner to equalise a match which was dominated by a however, sterile Milan. The match played on an impossible terrain was also marred by a number of yellow cards which means that Milan will lose both Albertini and Costacurta for the next match against Reggina.

Milan kept possesion most of the match, although the terrain made it very difficult and after taking the lead controlled the match quite easily till the end of the half. The goal was scored by Bierhoff when Albertini found Shevchenko in the area and the Ukranian made a great assist heading down the ball towards a loosely marked Bierhoff who slotted home with his right foot. Towards the end of the half Castellazzi made a superb save from a Shevchenko effort from just three metres.

The second half brought about the equaliser after only three minutes play. Some scrappy football ended with a bad pass back from Maldini, who was probably not at fault due to the bad state of the pitch. the ball fell to Hubner who beat Costacurta on the run and shot from an acute angle beating Abbiati with a low shot. Brescia increased the pressure but Milan soaked it up well enough and no danger came Abbiati's side.

Towards the end Zaccheroni made a few substitutions to try to ease the fatigue which is evedent in our players due to the many games being played. One must remember the tough midweek match against Fiorentina and the absences on Gattuso and Leonardo.

What was also very evident was Helveg's display on the right. The player lost an number of incredible balls on the right and one must wonder how this player commands a first team place within the side. Costacurta was also very slow today. On a positive note Albertini and Ambrosini played a great match in midfield.

28/1/2001 Burdisso .....

Milan are watching more Boca Juniors players. After Riquelme, Milan are keeping an eye on young defender Burdisso who is making an impact in his club side.

25/1/2000 Coppa Italia semi-final

Late Giunti goal earns Milan equaliser

-----

Milan ------ -----Fiorentina

---2 -----------------2

18' Chiesa (F); 66' Ambrosini (M); 75' Bressan (F); 93' Giunti (M)

Milan: Abbiati; Helveg, Costacurta, Maldini, Coco; Albertini, Ambrosini, Serginho (65' Bierhoff); Boban (46' Giunti); Shevchenko, Jose' Mari (81' Ba).

Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni

Fiorentina: Toldo; Torricelli, Repka, Pierini, Vanoli; Cois (70' Bressan), Amoroso, Di Livio; Rui Costa; Chiesa (89' Tarozzi), Nuno Gomes (77' Adani).

Manager: Fatih Terim

Referee: Borriello.

A late free kick majestically taken by Federico Giunti earned Milan a draw at home to Fiorentina. Milan were always running back into the game, dominated by a superior Fiorentina, whcih however lacked finishing and was also lucky on both goals. The first, scored by Chiesa, was the fruit of an unfortunate mistake by Abbiati who saved the first shot but fumbled the ball before it fell to Chiesa again who had no trouble depositing it onto the empty net. The first half ended with Milan a goal down, but with Fiorentina failing to close the game up by missing numerous good opportunities.

Milan's equaliser came from a splendid Ambrosini overhead kick which left all in awe at the San Siro.Milan tried hard ot take the lead but lacked punch up front. Zaccheroni inserted Bierhoff to try and add weight to the attack and managed. In the 66th minute Bressan, on a great Fiorentina break, was licky when his shot hit Coco's outstreched foot to go into the net for another Fiorentina lead. However, in the dying seconds of the match Giunti took a brilliantly struck freekick which Toldo could not manage to clear. The ball just scraped the post and fell into the net for a good 2-2 draw.

At least this way, the second round match can be played with both sides still with a chance for the final.

 

23/1/2001 Kaladze is a Milan player ... official

Khaka Kaladze is officially a Milan player. After undergoing successfully the medical tests yesterday, Kaladze, is now registered as the fifth non-European foreigner. Pablo Garcia made the space available last week when he became a Spanish citizen. Garcia is married to a Spaniard. Cristiano Zenoni, Italy's winger also underwent his medical tests and will probably sign a contract with Milan this week, but will remain with Atalanta till June 2001.

22/1/2001 Kaladze in Milano

Khaka Kaladze, the Dinamo Kiev Georgian defender, is currently in Milano for the customary medical tests. Even Shevchenko, a close friend of Kaladze, was unaware that Milan were this close to concluding the deal. A four or five year deal for the defender is on the books. The player can play equally well on the left, on the right and in the centre of defence making him a very versatile player. With Zaccheroni concluding that a back four functions better for this team, Kaladze could get a regular first team place immediately.

21/1/2001 Serie A

Milan downsize the leaders

----------

--Milan -------- -- ------Roma

----3 --------------------------20

2' Leonardo (M), 20' Shevchenko (M), 39' Totti (R), 44' Shevchenko (M), 86' Totti rig. (R)

Milan: Abbiati; Roque Junior, Costacurta, Maldini; Coco, Albertini (74' Giunti), Ambrosini, Serginho; Leonardo (68' Boban), Shevchenko, Jose' Mari (88' Ba).

Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni.

Roma: Lupatelli; Aldair, Samuel, Zago; Cafu, Tommasi, Zanetti, Candela; Totti; Batistuta, Delvecchio (61' Montella). Allenatore: Fabio Capello.

Referee: Rosetti

Yellow cards: Albertini, Cafu, Zago, Roque Junior, Giunti.

A superb first half display by Milan cut Roma's lead to three points in the Serie A and showed that, with the right players, the team can look forward to a good season. A brilliant Leonardo free kick put Milan ahead after only 2 minutes and after that Milan created numerous chances. Shevchenko made it 2-0 after 20 minutes when Shevchenko was set clear by a brilliant Albertini through pass. The Ukranian dribbled past Lupatelli and easily scored into an empty net. Roma were visible shocked and tried desperately to get back into the match, knowing well that Juventus had won at Perugia in the afternoon. On the 39th minute a Totti shot from long range hit Maldini and sent Abbiati the wrong way to make it 2-1. It was Milan's turn to go into shock now since this soft goal was not expected, but Milan reacted well and Shevchenko made it 3-1 on the stroke of half time, when a Serginho cross was missed by all except Sheva who slotted home from two metres.

With a 3-1 lead Milan came out determined to try and defend the result. As the game progressed, our players looked visibly tired. With Leonardo, Albertini and the players who had not enough match time this season showing the signs of strain. Boban replaced Leonardo and Giunti replaced Albertini whilst towards the end Ba came in for Jose Mari who had played a match full of sacrifice. At times he was seen in the middle of the defence clearing dangerous balls. Four minutes from time Rosetti awarded a controversial penalty when both Roque Junior and Batistuta missed a ball with the referee pointing to the spot. Totti scored with Abbiati managing to touch the ball as it sliced under his body.

Zaccheroni played down his tactical manoevres after the match. The main strategy, however, could be seen by all. Without Bierhoff Milan's forwards never gave Roma a man to mark and all three forwards moved around all the time never allowing Roma's defence to get a grip on the situation. A word of praise must go to maldini who played his heart out in the middle of the defence. Coco was played on the right side today since all our right side is out through injury; Helveg, Guly and Gattuso.

All in all a merited victory !!!

20/1/2001 Will Terim join Milan ?

With Zaccheroni's future looking bleak, Milan are now looking for their next manager, who should continue building this new side. With some more building blocks on the way, like Zenoni, Donati and hopefully Riquelme and Kaladze, the new manager being named is Fatih Terim, currently with Fiorentina.

17/1/2001 Lanna joins Milan

Former Sampdoria and Roma defender Marco Lanna has joined Milan. The move was prompted with Julio Cesar's desire to go back to Spain. Milan have loaned out Julio Cesar to Real Zaragoza in exchange for Marco Lanna. The 32 year old defender can add some much needed experience at the back until Milan clearly define their strategy for next year.

Other news ....

With Ronaldinho joining Paris Saint Germain, Milan will have to look elsewhere for forwards. Ibou Ba seems set to leave Milan as well with an unknown destination somewhere in France, England or Spain.

Zaccheroni or ..... ???

Will Zaccheroni remain at Milan's helm. The question is on all Milan supporters mind right now. Zac has indicated that he will probably leave the club but the question of his replacement remains the focal point. Terim has been approached, but his arrival depends on Cecchi Gori.

13/1/2001 Serie A

Milan humiliated in Firenze

----------

--Fiorentina----------Milan

----4 -----------------------000

Nuno Gomes 15', Cois 46', Chiesa 71', Rui Costa 86'

Fiorentina: Toldo; Torricelli, Repka (82' Lassissi), Pierini, Vanoli; Bressan, Cois, Rui Costa, Di Livio; Chiesa (78' Rossi), Nuno Gomes (84' Leandro).

Manager: Fatih Terim.

Milan: Abbiati; Chamot, Costacurta, Maldini; Helveg, Garcia, Giunti, Ambrosini, Coco (60' Serginho); Shevchenko (77' Comandini), Bierhoff (70' Jose' Mari).

Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni.

Referee: Farina

Yellow cards: Repka (F), Chamot (M).

Zaccheroni's boys put up a pitiful display in Firenze and were humiliated by four goals to nil against a spirited Fiorentina side. Maybe all this talk about contracts is hurting Zaccheroni and the management should get it over and done with since it seems that the team is suffering.

It was Nuno Gomes who put Fiorentina ahead just after 15 minutes play and Milan never really reacted with most players nearly sitting out the game. Obly Bierhoff tried in his manner to get Milan on track but crosses were far and in between. Cois added a second at the start of the second half with Chiesa and Rui Costa adding to the damage in the final 15 minutes.

Milan sorely missed Gattuso's fighting spirit in midfield and Garcia, the debutant from Uruguay, was no replacement for the Italian midfielder. Milan were also missing Albertini, Leonardo and Boban.

Costacurta summed up the game by saying that sometimes it's better to lose 4-0 rather than 1-0 because the team is bound to react to this result. However, the general feeling was that Milan's worst was against Perugia and this result was a bit too much. Fiorentina are passing through a brilliant phase and they deserved all three points.

12/1/2001 Pablo Garcia gets number 55

Pablo Garcia has finally been included in the squad. He will wear the number 55 jersey.

10/1/2001 Milan to sign Drulic

Milan are close to signing 23 year old Goran Drulic from Red Star Belgrade. the player is capable of playing both midfield and striker roles. His transfer is rumoured to be worth around 30 billion Italian lire.

8/1/2001 Pablo Garcia

Milan have still been unable to sign Pablo Garcia, although the player has been training with the side for months. The player is still awaiting an EEC passport, probably Spanish, to be able to be registered as a European player.

7/1/2001 Serie A

Milan come back twice to draw in derby

----------

--Milan ---------------- Inter

----2 --------------------------2

11' Hakan Sukur (I), 64' Boban (M), 72' Di Biagio (I), 85' Bierhoff

Milan: Abbiati; Chamot (46' Costacurta), Roque Junior, Maldini; Helveg, Gattuso, Ambrosini (74' Giunti), Coco; Leonardo (46' Boban), Bierhoff, Shevchenko.

Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni.

Inter: Frey; Simic, Blanc, Cirillo; Brocchi, Jugovic, Di Biagio, Zanetti; Seedorf (75' Farinos); Vieri, Hakan Sukur (67' Recoba).

Manager: Marco Tardelli. (M)

Referee: Rodomonti

Yellow cards: Helveg (M), Di Biagio (I), Maldini (M).

Milan had to recover twice in an exciting but not so spectacular derby. It was derby number 247 and with both teams struggling in the middle of the table a lot was expected from both teams to try to recover some ground. With this result both teams basically stay where they were. Hakan Sukur put Inter ahead after Milan had already hit the bar through Bierhoff in the opening minutes. Milan were very agressive in the opening stages and took possession of the midfield with ease. However with Milan first defensive error Hakan Sukar shot Inter ahead with a good first time effort.