Showing posts with label Serie A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Serie A. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

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.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

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.