Flamini move to Milan!

When I first heard of Mathieu Flamini, I thought he is an Italian player because of the "Flamini", which is quite Italian to me. And how ironic, today he is leaving for Italy, though he is French.

Flamini's move is also a good sign for the Serie A. Admit it or not, in recent years players prefer the Barclays Premier League over the Serie A, due to the "Calciopoli" and violence of the fans in Serie A.

And Flamini is one of the few players who choose Italy over England. Arsenal reportedly offer a lucrative new five-year deal to him, understood to be worth around £55,000 per week, while Juventus were also reported to be tracking him. But he choose to come to Milan, playing alongside World Player Of the Year, Kaka and fighting for a place with the best Italian midfielders, namely Gattuso, Ambrosini and Pirlo.

Flamini expressed his joy at the move after finalising terms with Milan

'I am extremely happy. Thanks a million,' he said.

Hopefully with the reputation of the Serie A improve, there will be more Stars at his peak heading to the Serie A, and not go there to look at retirement.

Recap of Sat's Match of the Day: Juve vs Milan

Last night's game ended with a 3-2 win to Juve against 10-men Milan, after Daniele Bonera was sent off for a tackle that, according to the rules should be a sending off, but in reality, can been given more consideration as a tackle that happened at the heat of the moment. Anyway, the referee made his decision, and that change the course of the game. At that time the score was 2-2. Eventually Hassan Salihamidzic sealed the win for Juve. Milan were weak at aerial in front of the goal, clearly feeling the absence of Nesta and Kaladze, and Salihamidzic, who is unmarked in a confused Milan defence, nodded home for the winner.

Juve quickly exploited a second string defence and opened the scoring when Mauro Camoranesi hurdled a tackle and played in Alessandro Del Piero, who netted his 14th league goal of the campaign from a tight angle on 12 minutes.

The Duel
Ex-Juve striker Filippo Inzaghi, who played with Del Piero for a couple of seasons during his time with Juve, soon levelled with a trademark poacher's goal from Kaka's cross from the left. Inzaghi then showed he's still one of the best striker around with a second goal on the half hour mark, when he sidefooted in after Daniele Bonera had squared the ball following Massimo Ambrosini's clever chip.

Juve made it 2-2 just before the break when Paolo Maldini gave the ball away and Camoranesi crossed for David Trezeguet, whose header was brilliantly blocked by keeper Zeljko Kalac only for winger Salihamidizic to score.

The second half become a little cagey as both coach wanted to avoid conceding again, before Milan defender Bonera slipped and planted his studs on Mohamed Sissoko's shin and received a straight red card.

Camoranesi then made sure he set up all three Juve goals when his free kick was nodded in unmarked by Salihamidzic.

Post Match Comment:

'This has complicated the situation of course. We will try (to reach a Champions League spot) just like we have tonight,' said Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti.

'We have been able to play the match we wanted. 3-2, it's been a really great game,' Juve coach Ranieri said.

Juventus vs AC Milan: The clash of titan

Juventus vs Milan. Round 73. 33rd matchday of Serie A.

AC Milan must win. This is the only choice for them to qualify for next year's Champion's League. Milan is still chasing Fiorentina for the 4th place. Fiorentina progression in UEFA Cup may well be an advantage for Milan, as the fixtures get more pack, Fiorentina will slip up and give Milan the 4th place. Currently Milan are 3 points behind Fiorentina. If a draw between the 2 sides, which is highly likely as well, then Milan will close in on Fiorentina, provided they stumble against league leaders Inter.

Here is the list of the 20 players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the away game in Turin, and the ones who are unavailable.

Goalkeeper: Dida, Fiori, Kalac
Defender: Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Maldini, Serginho, Simic
Midfielder: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf
Forward: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Paloschi

Suspended: Nesta, Kaladze
Unavailable: Jankulovski, Oddo, Emerson, Pato, Ronaldo

Juve's coach Claudio Ranieri had said that "It will be a very nice game, Milan made more points away from home. They have many champions who will fight, but even we are fine, therefore it will be a very nice game. I don't want a point less than what is in our possibilities. It's a very important week and a win would represent a huge advantage for us to enter Europe."

And this could be Paolo Maldini's last match against Juve, and Juve midfielder Mauro German Camoranesi during a press conference ahead of the match against Milan said: "If we beat Milan, it will be very difficult for them to recover and the Champions League race could be over. Milan remain a very competitive team, they have players who can resolve the team at any moment. Also, Kaká has returned and he can make the difference. I hope it's not the last time I play against Maldini, he's an example and must continue playing."

So let us look on to this historic rivalry.