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Tag: AC MILAN

  • Maldini will decide if I stay with AC Milan – Ibrahimovic

    Maldini will decide if I stay with AC Milan – Ibrahimovic

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic has declared he’d be willing to stay with AC Milan next season.

    The Swede was asked about his plans in an interview this past week.

    “I don’t know, let’s see. If Paolo [Maldini, director] wants, I am up for it,” he replied.

    “The season is still long, there are many games left. We always play to win, even if they can play once a week.”

    Ibrahimovic also said, “I am Zlatan, I feel the responsibility and I feel like a leader. This team is the only one that made me feel thrilled. I want to teach, I want to be a guide.

    “When I say something, they others are like: ‘Ok, we are doing it.’ Today I wanted to be in Verona, I felt it inside. When I spend a day without them is like staying without my sons.”

  • Inter defeat AC Milan 3-0 to extend Serie A lead

    Inter defeat AC Milan 3-0 to extend Serie A lead

    Inter Milan beat city rivals AC Milan 3-0 to extend their lead at the top of Serie A on Sunday as Lautaro Martinez scored a double, with Romelu Lukaku also on target.

    Inter opened up a four-point lead over their second-placed opponents as Antonio Conte’s side target a first league title since their unprecedented treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

    Lukaku was on top form, the Belgian playing a role in Martinez’s two goals on five and 57 minutes before scoring his 17th goal in the league this season to move top of the Serie A scorers’ chart.

    Milan, chasing a first Scudetto since 2011, fell to back-to-back Serie A losses for the first time this season, with their title push suffering another blow with a fourth defeat in eight league games.

    The match was played behind closed doors at the San Siro because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that did not stop thousands of fans gathering outside the stadium for the final Milan derby of the season.

    It was the third derby of the season, with Milan winning the first 2-1 in the league.

    Inter won a fiery Italian Cup quarter-final by the same scoreline, a game overshadowed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lukaku squaring off and trading insults, with the Swede later sent off.

    The supporters waited for the team buses to arrive, waving flags and singing, dispersing once the teams had entered the stadium grounds.

    The game was also preceded by a minute’s silence and applause for former Inter defender Mauro Bellugi who died aged 71 years on Saturday, months after having both his legs amputated because of coronavirus.

    Inter were fresher having been eliminated early from European action, with Milan coming off a 2-2 Europa League midweek draw at Red Star Belgrade.

    And Conte’s side came out firing with Lukaku powering down the right flank.

    Milan defender Simon Kjaer blocked his initial cross, but the ball returned to the Belgian for a perfect delivery for Martinez to nod home.

    Ibrahimovic threatened with a back-heel flick after quarter of an hour following a scramble in the box but Inter keeper Samir Handanovic kept it out.

    Milan Skriniar headed wide before the break from a Christian Eriksen free-kick.

    Gianluigi Donnarumma got his hand to the ball to deny Ivan Perisic, with Handanovic pulling off a double save from Ibrahimovic after the break.

    But Martinez broke through again, finishing off a Perisic pull-back from the by-line in a move started by Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi.

    Donnarumma denied Lukaku minutes later but the former Manchester United striker then burst through to score the third, becoming the first player to score in four straight Milan derbies since Benito Lorenzi in 1950.

    Milan travel to Roma next weekend, with the capital side third before they play Benevento later on Sunday.

    Defending champions Juventus, in fifth, 11 points behind Inter, play catch-up at home against lowly Crotone on Monday.

  • Serie A: Why I turned down Inter – AC Milan striker

    Serie A: Why I turned down Inter – AC Milan striker

    AC Milan striker Rafael Leao admits he had the chance to sign for Inter.

    The two giants face-off on Sunday.

    “I chose Milan because the club’s directors had spoken with me before the others and this club was my top priority. When Milan call, you can’t say no,” Leao told Il Corriere dello Sport.

    “Zlatan Ibrahimovic is like an older brother for me, he is a point of reference with a winning mentality that I’ve never seen in other players.”

    On the derby, he added: “We must play with our hearts and minds. We want to defend the shirt and give a satisfaction to our fans.

    “I want to help the team, I am ready to give my best, if I commit some technical mistakes, I hope I’ll make up with my character, with sacrifice and commitment.”

  • ​AC Milan, Juventus eyeing unsettled Ziyech at Chelsea

    ​AC Milan, Juventus eyeing unsettled Ziyech at Chelsea

    Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus are assessing the situation of Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech.

    The Moroccan has failed to set the world alight since arriving at the Stamford Bridge club.

    He has played a bit part role this season, and it is unclear if he will be in the plans of new boss Thomas Tuchel.

    And according to Calciomercatoweb, if Chelsea show any inclination to let Ziyech leave in the summer, Milan and Juve will make a move for him.

    But Ziyech has not shown any indication he wants a transfer, and may still turn around his situation before the end of this season.

  • Ibrahimović scores 500th club goal

    Ibrahimović scores 500th club goal

    AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the 500th club goal of his career on Sunday against Crotone in Serie A.

    The 39-year-old Swede scored after half an hour after combining with Rafael Leao against lowly Crotone at the San Siro for his 82nd goal for the club.

    Ibrahimovic reached the landmark in 825 games, having made his professional debut for Swedish club Malmo in 1999.

    He has played for three Serie A sides, Juventus, Inter and Milan, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Barcelona, Ajax and Los Angeles Galaxy.

    He later grabbed a second goal in the match against Crotone.

    He has now scored 396 league goals, 57 in European competitions and 48 in cup games.

    The former Sweden striker returned to Milan in January 2020 and has scored 27 goals in 37 appearances since.

  • Koeman blocks player exit despite Barca accepting AC Milan, Southampton offers

    Koeman blocks player exit despite Barca accepting AC Milan, Southampton offers

    Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is reluctant to allow Junior Firpo to leave before Monday’s deadline.

    Marca says Koeman has closed the door on any possible departure.

    Granada, AC Milan and Southampton have all approached Barcelona in recent weeks to see if Junior is available.

    The Dutch coach was only willing to let the left-back leave the club if Eric Garcia joined from Manchester City, yet this deal now seems as though it will have to wait until his contract expires on June 30.

    Granada, AC Milan and Southampton have all approached Barcelona in recent weeks to see if Junior is available. However, with the deal for Eric Garcia not likely to happen in this window, Koeman won’t let him leave the club.

    There was an agreement in place with Milan at the start of the week, although Southampton’s offer of more money and better conditions turned things on their head. Any movement depended on Eric Garcia’s arrival at the Camp Nou, though, which was ruled out on Friday.

  • Ibrahimovic sent off as Inter Milan beat AC Milan in Italian Cup derby

    Ibrahimovic sent off as Inter Milan beat AC Milan in Italian Cup derby

    Inter Milan came from behind to beat AC Milan 2-1 on Tuesday in an Italian Cup quarter-final which saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic dismissed after scoring the latter’s goal.

    Ibrahimovic was ruthless on his first chance, firing low off the left post after entering the penalty box in the 31st minutes, But he was dismissed in the 58th minute.

    Romelu Lukaku went on to draw Inter Milan level from the penalty kick spot.

    The match referee also exited with a pulled muscle and was replaced by the fourth official with 10 minutes left, before substitute Christian Eriksen curled in the winning goal in stoppage time.

  • Ronaldo not world’s best – George Weah

    Ronaldo not world’s best – George Weah

    Former AC Milan star George Weah said Cristiano Ronaldo is not the best player in the world but he is still working hard to attain that feat.

    On Wednesday, the 35-year-old led Juventus to win the Italian Supercup with a goal in their 2-0 victory over Napoli.

    Weah, who is currently the President of Liberia, likened Ronaldo’s hard work and passion to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s influence in Stefano Pioli’s team.

    “Ibra is strong and confident, but there is more behind this. Milan signed him because he can be every useful for young players. He is an example and an inspiration for them,” Weah told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

    “He is always focused and he gives everything for his passion. If you work hard and don’t lose your passion, then age is just a number. Think about Pietro Vierchowood, Franco Baresi or Paolo Maldini, they all played at high level until almost 40 years of age.

    “Ronaldo is also testimony to how combining hard work and passion can bring unexpected results. He is not the best in the world, but he trained so much to become the best. I am a fan of Ronaldo because he remained humble and he earned everything he achieved. He fought to get where he is now.”

  • ​Chelsea happy with defender loan to AC Milan

    ​Chelsea happy with defender loan to AC Milan

    Chelsea are happy to loan centre-back Fikayo Tomori to AC Milan.

    The young defender has not played many games this season after falling down the pecking order in manager Frank Lampard’s squad.

    Tomori wants to leave on loan to play games in the second half of this season.

    And according to The Guardian, Milan are a serious option for Tomori, as they want to add a defender in the window.

    One of their targets is Strasbourg’s Mohamed Simakan, and Tomori is the alternative.

    The Blues would be happy to let the 23-year-old go, but any option or obligation to buy within the loan agreement seems unlikely.

    French side Rennes and Premier League teams Leeds, Everton and Newcastle also have an interest in Tomori.

  • Serie A: Juve ends AC Milan unbeaten run

    Serie A: Juve ends AC Milan unbeaten run

    Juventus inflicted a first Serie A defeat of the season on league leaders AC Milan on Wednesday.

    A Federico Chiesa double led the Italian champions to an exhilarating 3-1 win at San Siro.

    Chiesa fired home a superb opener before makeshift midfielder Davide Calabria equalised for AC Milan at the end of an eventful, end-to-end first half.

    But the visitors pulled away after the break as Chiesa curled in his second.

    Substitute Weston McKennie swept in from close range to consign Milan to their first league defeat since March 8 of 2020, a run of 27 games lasting 304 days.

    Stefano Pioli’s side remain top of the table on 37 points, one ahead of second-placed Inter Milan, who lost to Sampdoria earlier on Wednesday.

    Juventus rise to fourth place on 30 points, but have a game in hand over the three teams above them.

    AC Milan coach Pioli was forced to play right-back Calabria in midfield after Rade Krunic and Ante Rebic were ruled out on matchday following positive COVID-19 tests.

    This had added to an absentee list which included Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer, Alexis Saelemaekers and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Juventus had issues of their own, with Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro in isolation and Alvaro Morata injured.

    But the selection problems did not impact the quality of an action-packed opening period.

    Chiesa blasted a powerful half-volley off the post before finding the breakthrough in the 18th minute.

    A clever backheeled pass from Paulo Dybala sent the Italy international through on goal to finish.

    Rafael Leao curled a shot narrowly wide and Chiesa had another effort saved before Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s diving save stopped an Aaron Ramsey clearance from flying into his own net.

    AC Milan hit back four minutes before the break when Leao picked out Calabria in the penalty box and he fired into the top corner.

    The tempo dropped slightly in the second half and Juventus took control on 62 minutes when Chiesa curled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

    The winger was forced off after hurting himself in the process, but the strength of the Juve bench showed when two replacements combined for their third.

    Dejan Kulusevski weaved into the box from the wing and laid off a pass to McKennie, who was left with a simple finish from six yards.