Beckham to San Siro: Forza Milan!

Source: Football Italia
David Beckham has saluted the San Siro fans ahead of tonight's Milan-Udinese match. “It's an incredible experience and I look forward to playing.”
The England international was presented to the Press on Saturday and put pen to paper on a contract at 17.00 UK time this afternoon.
A row of children wearing Beckham's No 32 shirt flanked a walkway along the San Siro field as he came out to pick up his own shirt.
Wearing the club's red and black striped scarf, he took the microphone to speak to the supporters and said 'Forza Milan.'
“I prefer to be out there playing instead of just walking. I enjoyed it, it's great to see the children get my shirt again and see the fans. I enjoyed it,” he told Sky Italia television.
“The pressure is exactly the same, playing at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, Real Madrid are one of the biggest clubs in the world and here now.
“It's an incredible experience, I'm looking forward to playing in a game.
“Everywhere theres going to be pressure and everywhere there's going to be enjoyment, as you can't help enjoy yourself playing for the biggest teams in the world.”
Some have suggested there will be battles between Becks, Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo over who will take the set plays.
“They're all great free kick takers and if I get the chance then I hope I'll score, if not there are other great players who can take the free kicks.”
English players have rarely done well in Serie A, but Beckham feels that was in the past.
“I think a few ears ago that was maybe the case, but now the game has changed in England.
“Foreign players coming over to the Premier League has helped the children, the older children and the men! It has helped the game grow in England and it is now one of the best Leagues in the world.”
Beckham was also asked about the infamous incident when a boot thrown by Sir Alex Ferguson struck him in the face.
“That was just an accident that happened in the locker room, just one those things. Sir Alex Ferguson is by far the best manager I've ever played under, I respect him a great deal as a manager and as a person.”
The midfielder was in the centre circle for only a minute, but the welcome was not as warm as expected.
There were a few jeers and also ironic banners held up by the fans. One read: 'From top of the world to top models. Poor Milan.'
Beckham's move has caused controversy, as he will only be at San Siro until March 9, when he must return to LA Galaxy.
Wife Victoria was in the stands and sat next to her husband and Milan general manager Adriano Galliani during the match.

Ancelotti has Kaka and Beckham

Source: Football Italia
Carlo Ancelotti is relieved to have Kaka back in the side to face Udinese and welcomes David Beckham to Milan.
“Those certain of playing tomorrow are Christian Abbiati, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski, Luca Antonini, Kakha Kaladze, Giuseppe Favalli, Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho and Kaka.
“We will not have Mathieu Flamini, while today we must evaluate the fitness of Andrea Pirlo, Emerson and Clarence Seedorf.”
There had been reports Kaka could be out of action for two to three months with a hernia, but he was in training today and is expected to be fit to face Udinese tomorrow evening.
“This is an important game for us, but also for Udinese,” continued Ancelotti.
“They started the season at the highest level, then had a shaky period and are getting back on track now. It will be a delicate match for us, as in this injury crisis we want to end the year on a positive note.
“A victory would enable us to go into the Christmas break with a different mentality. Then we will go to Dubai for the training camp so we can start the Serie A campaign again on the right foot.”
Among those who will be in Dubai from December 29 are new arrival Beckham, who passed his medical this morning for a three-month loan from LA Galaxy.
“Beckham’s arrival is important for us, we welcome him and are certain he can give us a hand during the 10 games he will be available for.
“He is a very professional player and with his characteristics can take on three midfield roles. Physically he is in good shape and, despite the contract making clear he can only stay until March 9, in that time I’m convinced he will be a Milan player in every sense.”
Some have suggested that signing a 33-year-old for three months is leaving the Rossoneri in the past rather than building for the future.
“I’m sure many will have something to say about Beckham, but in response I point out they said the same about Ronaldinho, who has scored goals and provided assists.
“Dinho was a pleasant surprise and if Beckham can perform at the same level, then he is more than welcome.
“When I am old and grey, I can sit by the fire with my grandchildren and tell them of all the top stars I trained…”

A.C. Milan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AC Milan

Full name
Associazione Calcio Milan SpA

Nickname(s)
Rossoneri ("Red-blacks"),
il Diavolo ("the Devil")

Founded
December 16, 1899

Ground
San Siro,
Milan, Italy
(Capacity: 80,018)

Chairman
vacant^[1]

Head Coach
Carlo Ancelotti

League
Serie A

2007-08

 Current season

Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as AC Milan and as simply Milan in Italy, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy. The club was founded in 1899 and has since spent most of its history in the top flight of Italian football.

Milan has won 18 officially recognized international titles, tied with Boca Juniors as having the most in the world. The club have won what is today known as the UEFA Champions League on seven occasions; only Real Madrid have won it more times (9).^[2] As far as Italian competitions are concerned, Milan is the second most successful club with 17 league titles; only Juventus have won more (27).^[3] AC Milan have won four world titles, more than any other club in the world. They have won 3 times the Intercontinental Cup, and 1 time the FIFA Club World Cup.

Other important titles which Milan have won includes the European Super Cup five times, and the Cup Winners' Cup twice; however, they have never reached the UEFA Cup final (only two semi-finals). In Italy, they have won the Coppa Italia five times, as well as five Italian Super Cups. AC Milan is also one of the G-14’s founding members, a group that represented eighteen of the largest and most prestigious European football clubs before its disbandment.^[4]

Their home games are played at San Siro, also known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The ground, which is shared with rivals Internazionale, is the largest in Italian football, with total capacity of 80,018.

AC Milan 5:1 Udinese - match report

Source: Football Italia
Scorers: Pato 4, 18 (M), Kaka 13, 52 (M), Di Natale 17 (U), Seedorf 42 (M)
Milan thrashed sorry Udinese 5-1 in a thrilling encounter with Kaka and Alexandre Pato getting two apiece.
David Beckham was presented to the fans before kick-off on the San Siro pitch, but he won't be eligible until January. The Rossoneri could do with his support now, as they were without Gennaro Gattuso, Mathieu Flamini, Emerson, Marco Borriello, Alessandro Nesta, Daniele Bonera, Philippe Senderos and banned duo Massimo Ambrosini and Gianluca Zambrotta. At least Kaka recovered from a groin problem, but Marek Jankulovski was a makeshift midfielder.
Confidence was low for both sides, as Milan's 4-2 defeat at Juventus effectively ended their Scudetto hopes, while Udinese threw away a 3-0 lead against Lazio to pick up their only point in six games.
Aleksandr Lukovic caused an early scare when he skipped past Luca Antonini and put the ball across the face of goal, but the Rossoneri broke through moments later.
Giuseppe Favalli was sent clear down the left flank and his cross from the byline found Alexandre Pato's cushioned header at the back post. The Brazilian was totally unmarked and the Udinese defence found woefully unprepared.
Less than a minute later Pato duetted with Ronaldinho and only a crucial tackle prevented the two Selecao stars from finishing off the high-speed move.
It was wide open, though, as Gaetano D'Agostino unleashed a blockbuster from 25 metres and Christian Abbiati flew across the face of goal for a stunning one-handed save. He paid the price, as the goalkeeper went face-first into the upright, but was able to continue after treatment.
Simone Pepe wanted a free kick on the edge of the box for a coming together with Paolo Maldini, but was only booked for dissent.
Milan doubled their lead moments later with a classic Brazilian counter-attack. Pato found space down the left when he skipped past his marker, then rolled across with the outside of his right foot for Kaka to tap in from five yards. Kaka went to hug Gennaro Gattuso, who was on the sidelines with his crutches after knee surgery.
Pato set up Kaka for another wonderful team move smothered by Samir Handanovic, but Antonio Di Natale made it 2-1 on 17 minutes. Lukovic went down the left for Fabio Quagliarella, whose disguised pass was smashed in from the edge of the box by Di Natale. It whizzed into the far bottom corner, leaving Abbiati rooted to the spot.
Less than a minute later it was 3-1! Pato got his second of the game, as Antonini knocked down an Andrea Pirlo chipped pass for the Brazilian teenager.
Di Natale and Ronaldinho fired over from tight angles, while Abbiati palmed a Pepe cross-shot out of the top corner. It was so nearly a Pato hat-trick, but Handanovic got a fingertip to Kaka's cross.
Damiano Ferronetti had to intercept another splendid move, as Ronaldinho's backheel was sending Pato clear.
Udinese lost Quagliarella to a bizarre injury, as he got a knock to the side of the head and seemed stunned, repeatedly shaking his right ear. He had to be replaced by Antonio Floro Flores.
The Rossoneri made it 4-1 before the break. Pirlo's free kick smacked against the upright, but Clarence Seedorf was there to slide on to the loose ball from six yards despite Luigi Sala holding on to his shirt.
In stoppages Pato threatened a fifth on the counter from Udinese's corner, but Handanovic managed to block with his body.
After the restart Pato set up Kaka for another Handanovic save, then the goalkeeper smothered another attempt from the 2007 Ballon d'Or. It was just w warm-up, as Kaka unleashed an incredible blockbuster from the edge of the box in at the near top corner, having dummied a shot towards the other post.
Udinese tested Abbiati with a soaring Floro Flores header, but the striker fell badly on to his back and was stretchered off in agony. He tried to stand up, but quickly collapsed in tears. He had already replaced the injured Quagliarella and made way for Alexis Sanchez.
Milan had another great chance as Pato's dummy allowed Kaka's low cross to come through and Pirlo slid on to it inches past the far post. Kaka thought he should've had a penalty when he went shoulder to shoulder with a defender and fell in the box.
Pato received a standing ovation when replaced by Andriy Shevchenko, but Abbiati flew to push a D'Agostino free kick out from under the bar and Sanchez's flick with the outside of his boot was charged down.
Kaka curled past the far post and 18-year-old Strasser received his Serie A debut in midfield and was promptly booked for a tackle from behind.
Milan: Abbiati; Antonini (Darmian 75), Maldini, Kaladze (Strasser 81), Favalli; Seedorf, Pirlo, Jankulovski; Kaka, Ronaldinho; Pato (Shevchenko 71)
Udinese: Handanovic; Ferronetti, Sala, Domizzi, Lukovic; Inler, D'Agostino, Isla; Pepe (Pasquale 81), Quagliarella (Floro Flores 39) (Sanchez 65), Di Natale
Ref: Saccani