Gennaro Ivan Gattuso

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JUVENTUS - MILAN

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Fiori, Kalac,

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Maldini, Serginho, Simic,

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf,

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Paloschi

[LuNo]

Juventus 3:2 AC Milan - match report

Scorers: Del Piero 12 (J), Inzaghi 14, 31 (M), Salihamidzic 45, 80 (J)

Juventus fought back to defeat Milan 3-2 with Hasan Salihamidzic's brace, but Daniele Bonera's red card for a horror tackle proved decisive.

These two clubs dominated Serie A for two decades and it remained a battle of pride as well as a key game. The Bianconeri needed a victory to make up for last week's 3-2 loss at Palermo, while the Rossoneri knew only a win would keep their Champions League hopes intact. Carlo Ancelotti had to completely revolutionise his defence as Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze were banned, while Marek Jankulovski, Massimo Oddo, Ronaldo and Alexandre Pato had injuries. Pavel Nedved was suspended and Cristiano Zanetti sidelined.

Juve last won this fixture in November 2002 and curiously, Milan had not shared the spoils on their travels since a 1-1 at Catania on February 27, the same weekend as Juve’s last home draw in the goalless Turin derby.

Alessandro Del Piero flashed an angled drive off target, but he opened the scoring on 12 minutes. Mauro Camoranesi beat Giuseppe Favalli and threaded through for Del Piero's right-foot angled drive that trickled past Zeljko Kalac's outstretched leg and into the far corner of the net.

Moments later Inzaghi nearly equalised, as he sprung the offside trap on Favalli's cross and hit the side-netting.

Once again, it was a warning not heeded, as 60 seconds later Super Pippo drew level. Kaka held off Giorgio Chiellini down the left channel and rolled across for Inzaghi to tap in from six yards. This was his first goal against Juve in Turin.

Chiellini nodded a corner over the bar and Zdenek Grygera curled off target, while Buffon smothered a Kaka effort that bounced just in front of him.

Del Piero wasted a great counter-attack when he tried to dribble a little too long and was crowded out by Rossoneri shirts. Clarence Seedorf's wayward cross turned into a very dangerous lob that Buffon tipped on to the crossbar!

The resulting corner was not cleared effectively and allowed Milan to go 2-1 up. Daniele Bonera sprung the offside trap and smartly rolled across to Inzaghi, who was behind the line of the ball for a tap-in from eight yards. Before last week Inzaghi had scored just one Serie A goal all season, but this was his fourth in two games.

The Rossoneri had another wonderful scoring opportunity with Kaka's cracking right-foot volley spilled by Buffon and the World Cup winning goalkeeper just about scrambled the loose ball off the feet of Inzaghi.

However, Juventus made it 2-2 on the stroke of half-time. Del Piero dispossessed Paolo Maldini with a sneaky tackle and Camoranesi chopped a cross for David Trezeguet's header, which Kalac parried into the path of Hasan Salihamidzic.

The drama still wasn't over, as 30 seconds later Gennaro Gattuso's lob forced Buffon into a fingertip save.

After the restart Dario Simic slipped and was still able to intercept Del Piero's pass for Trezeguet. Nicola Legrottaglie limped off with a sprained knee and made way for Guglielmo Stendardo.

Grygera almost scored the goal of the season as he unleashed an extraordinary right-foot rocket from 34 metres that Kalac had to fingertip round the post.

Maldini's sliding tackle dispossessed Camoranesi at the byeline after he had overcome Simic. Bonera needed a glancing header to tip Sissoko's cross off the head of Stendardo from six yards, doing just enough to put the Juve defender off.

There was controversy on 66 minutes. Seedorf was furious that Camoranesi did not receive a booking for a stamp, but as soon as play resumed Bonera received a straight red card for a horrible studs-up challenge right on Sissoko's shin. It really was a leg-breaker tackle that risked serious injury to the former Liverpool midfielder. Fortunately, Sissoko was able to continue after several minutes of treatment.

Carlo Ancelotti had to balance out the side and threw on Marcos Cafu for Inzaghi. It seemed to work, as the Brazilian veteran was brought down by Camoranesi on the right channel for a poor Andrea Pirlo free kick.

Trezeguet made way for Vincenzo Iaquinta, so Ranieri did not risk the trident even against 10 men. Maldini charged down a Grygera counter, but there was further controversy 10 minutes from time. Maldini was very harshly penalised for a shoulder against shoulder challenge with Grygera and from that Camoranesi free kick Salihamidzic was allowed a totally free header.

Milan poured forward looking for the equaliser and this left space at the back for Del Piero to flash a counter off target, while Alberto Gilardino replaced Gattuso.

Buffon smothered a Cafu snapshot and Massimo Ambrosini moved up the field as a striker, but at the other end Del Piero's volley hit Kalac's outstretched foot in a one-on-one situation. Seedorf earned a free kick five minutes into stoppages and even Kalac went up, but Juve held on for the victory.

Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie (Stendardo 51), Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi (Nocerino 90), Tiago, Sissoko, Salihamidzic; Del Piero, Trezeguet (Iaquinta 78)

Milan: Kalac; Bonera, Simic, Maldini, Favalli; Gattuso (Gilardino 83), Pirlo (Brocchi 89), Ambrosini; Kakà, Seedorf; Inzaghi (Cafu 69)

Ref: Rocchi

Sent off: Bonera 66 (M)

[LuNo]

[LuNo]

Player Ratings: Juventus 3-2 AC Milan

Juventus pulled off a dramatic victory in a classic encounter between the two most successful clubs in Italian football history.

Zeljko Kalac: 6.5 – Looked slow and awkward on Del Piero’s first goal of the game but made good saves on Grygera and Del Piero in the second half to give his team a fighting chance.

Daniele Bonera: 5.5 - Pushed forward on many occasions and unselfishly slotted the ball across to Inzaghi for an easy tap in. However, left too much space at the back, and to make it all worse, made an absolutely horrendous tackle on Momo Sissoko and was deservedly sent off.

Paolo Maldini: 6 - Started well, but then really showed his age as he was at fault for Juventus’s second goal after he was caught in possession deep in his own territory. Does not seem to have the legs beyond the hour mark.

Giuseppe Favalli: 5 - His best days are past him although he managed to push forward on a couple of occasions in the first half. All change please, as far as the Milan defence is concerned.

Dario Simic: 4 - He was run ragged by Del Piero all evening and committed countless fouls as he could not keep up with the pace of the match. Maybe Ronaldinho and Shevchenko will provide cover next season.

Rino Gattuso: 6 – The normally tenacious bulldog did not make an impact on the match and was outplayed by the gigantic Sissoko.

Massimo Ambrosini: 6.5 – Lumbered forward and won his team a couple of corner kicks, and played a part in one of Inzaghi's goals, but failed to stamp his authority in the middle of the pitch when Juve were in the ascendancy.

Clarence Seedorf: 6.5 - Did very well in the first half, but completely disappeared in the second half and did not pull the strings in the midfield the way Ancelotti would have wanted him to. Turns into a ghost far too often these days.

Andrea Pirlo: 6 - Had a decent first half, but was also quiet for most of the second, with his set pieces disappointing for a player of his technical ability. Gave the ball away quite a few times.

Kaka: 6.5 – Has finally rediscovered some of his form over the last two weeks. Set up his team’s first goal after a beautiful low cross left Inzaghi with the easiest of finishes, and had a couple of good moments in the second half. Not one of his best displays, but a step in the right direction.

Filippo Inzaghi: 8.5 – Poached two goals in the style that he is famous for and gave the Juventus defenders fits, especially in the first half. Was menacing throughout, and could well have completed a hat-trick. Milan's best player on the evening.

Substitutes:

Cafu (67”) 6, Alberto Gilardino (83”) NA, Christian Brocchi (88”) NA

[sandy]

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[LuNo]

You're welcome Sandy

[LuNo]

Maldini: Milan Still Want Gattuso

Milan captain Paolo Maldini has attempted to dampen speculation that Rino Gattuso will leave the club by saying that the Rossoneri have no intention of selling him.

Gattuso

The Italian press has been full of stories this week that Milan are set to signal a new era at the club by offloading Gattuso in the summer.

A host of clubs have been linked with signing him, most notably Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

“I have read in the newspapers that there’s lots of interest for Gattuso, but I think that there have always been clubs watching him,” Maldini told Milan Channel.

“However, I have no doubt that the club wants to keep him and I don’t think that Rino wants to go.”

No Revolution

Maldini went on to reject calls for a revolution in the summer, and says that only a few tweaks are required, and not a mass clearout.

“I don’t think that this Milan side needs to be rebuilt,” he stated.

“This team won a prestigious competition - the Club World Cup - as recently as December – it wasn’t 20 years ago.

“There should be some continuity with this group and not a rebirth.”

Inzaghi To Euro 2008?

Finally Maldini gave his say on calls in the Italian press that Filippo Inzaghi be taken to Euro 2008.

The prolific hitman has roared into form, having scored four goals in his last two league games.

“Lots of players are in contention for a place in Austria and Switzerland – Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Borriello, Pippo and many more,” said the 39-year-old legend.

[LuNo]

Milan Struggling To Convince Gattuso To Stay

According to reports in Italy, Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani has spent the last week trying to convince Gennaro Gattuso to stay at the club.

The Italian press has been full of reports that Gattuso could be set to leave the club at the end of the season.

A host of clubs, most notably Bayer Munich have been linked with making a move, and indeed the German-giants admitted a few days ago that they were interested in the midfielder.

Contrary to some earlier reports, it is believed that Milan do want Gattuso to stay, and in fact it is the player himself who is considering leaving for a new challenge.

Transfer guru Adriano Galliani is said to have spent most of this week trying to persuade Gattuso that his future is at San Siro.

The 30-year-old however is still said to favour a transfer away, even if club captain Paolo Maldini believes that deep down Gattuso still wants to stay put.

“I have read in the newspapers that there’s lots of interest for Gattuso, but I think that there have always been clubs watching him,” Maldini told Milan Channel yesterday.

“However, I have no doubt that the club wants to keep him and I don’t think that Rino wants to go.”

[LuNo]

MILAN-REGGINA

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Fiori, Kalac, Offredi;

DEFENDERS: Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Kaladze, Nesta, Serginho, Simic;

MIDFIELDERS: Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato, Paloschi.

[LuNo]

MILAN-REGGINA: OFFICIAL FORMATIONS

MILAN: Kalac; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Brocchi; Kakà, Seedorf; Inzaghi.

REGGINA: Campagnolo; Valdez, Cirillo, Aronica; Vigiani, Barreto, Tognozzi, Modesto; Cozza, Brienza; Amoruso.

[Laudy Bonera]

Milan 5 - 1 Reggina

[LuNo]

Thanks

[LuNo]

AC Milan 5:1 Reggina - match report

Scorers: Kaka pens 8 and 33, 68 (M), Barreto 40 ®, Inzaghi 73 (M), Pato 89 (M)

Kaka proved he is fully recovered with a magnificent performance and hat-trick in this drubbing of Reggina.

There was no room for error as the Rossoneri needed a win to avoid falling seven points behind Fiorentina. Last week's 3-2 defeat at Juventus was a blow, but even worse was their dismal home form, winning just five times at San Siro. Reggina were on a high after beating Sampdoria 1-0, though they remained in the bottom three and had scored just once in their previous six away games. Curiously, this fixture hadn't ended in a draw for nine editions, since the 2-2 in December 1999.

Alexandre Pato returned from a mysterious muscular injury to sit on the bench, though Daniele Bonera and Massimo Ambrosini were banned with Paolo Maldini, Ronaldo, Marek Jankulovski and Emerson sidelined. Reggina made the trip without Emanuele Cascione, Maurizio Lanzaro and Montiel.

In the opening minute Salvatore Aronica and Francesco Modesto collided, allowing Cristian Brocchi to fire a right-foot shot on the bounce on to the side-netting.

The referee pointed to the spot when Modesto tackled Kaka in the box as he was lining up the shot. The Brazilian got back up to send Andrea Campagnolo the wrong way and bury the powerful penalty.

Reggina fought back with a Valdez header testing Zeljko Kalac, but Campagnolo palmed Kaka's cross-shot out from under the bar and parried a Kakha Kaladze angled drive with his feet.

Kaka has now recovered from his injury problems and it showed, as he was swarming around the Amaranto defence. Pippo Inzaghi's backheel set up Kaka for a fierce strike that Campagnolo parried.

The referee awarded a second penalty for a Luca Vigiani trip on Clarence Seedorf and this time Kaka took a different approach, rolling it gently into the other angle.

However, Reggina got back into it with an absolute screamer from Barreto. He controlled a clearance just outside the D and smashed the rocket into the top corner past a helpless Kalac.

A Seedorf rocket skimmed the bar, but after the restart Barreto went off in agony after an accidental clash of knees with Seedorf.

Inzaghi's diving header whistled wide and Campagnolo pushed an Andrea Pirlo piledriver out from under the crossbar.

Kaka's acrobatic backheel sent Inzaghi clear on goal, but the Italian was closed down as he was lining up the shot by some desperate defending. However, some chaotic play at the back almost gifted Reggina an equaliser, as Kaladze had to come sliding in to stop a tap-in from six yards.

Kaka was comfortably man of the match and completed his hat-trick. Brocchi's cross was chested down for a precise low first time finish into the far bottom corner.

There were penalty appeals from Reggina for a Kaladze handling offence on Franco Brienza's cross, but the referee waved play on.

Alexandre Pato made his comeback and created the fourth goal almost immediately. His shot was deflected on to the upright by Campagnolo and Inzaghi was ready to pounce on the loose ball.

Pato got his name on the scoresheet eventually with a powerful header on Yoan Gourcuff's cross from the right.

Milan: Kalac; Cafu (Simic 76), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 80), Pirlo, Brocchi; Kaka, Seedorf (Pato 69); Inzaghi

Reggina: Campagnolo; Valdez (Alvarez 69), Cirillo, Aronica; Vigiani, Barreto (Misiroli 48), Tognozzi, Modesto (Costa 82); Cozza, Brienza; Amoruso

Ref: Farina

[LuNo]

Player Ratings: Milan 5-1 Reggina

Carlo Garganese rates the players on show at San Siro this afternoon…

Kalac – 5.5: A few nervy moments, and one of these almost allowed Vigiani to equalize when the score was 2-1. Was completely blameless on Barreto’s goal.

Cafu - 7: One of Cafu’s best games in a Milan shirt this season. Bombed up-and-down the right flank all afternoon.

Nesta – 6.5: Nullified the threat of Reggina’s lone frontman Amoruso, even if he made one mistake at 2-1 that could have resulted in a leveller for Cozza.

Kaladze – 6: A sound game from the Georgian, even if he did have the odd lapse of concentration. Almost scored down the other end in the first half.

Favalli – 6.5: It is so easy to be critical of Favalli, but today he offered a steady, if not spectacular, performance.

Gattuso – 7: Still failing to convince me that he will ever return to his old levels. But having said this he definitely won the midfield battle today.

Pirlo - 8: A welcome return to form. Some of his through-passes were simply out of this world. A genius when he is in the mood.

Brocchi – 6.5: Lots of quantity from the veteran, who as usual never stopped running and fighting. Had a few efforts at goal as well.

Kaka – 9: Simply unplayable. Went on countless mazy runs, one of which led to the first penalty. Stuck away both spot-kicks with aplomb, before completing is hat-trick in the second period. The Kaka of last season is back!

Seedorf – 6.5: Blew hot and cold. Won the second penalty and had a fantastic long shot that just went wide, but also misplaced a few passes.

Inzaghi – 8.5: His link-up play with Kaka was telepathic at times. Scored one, but could have had a hat-trick also. Looks really sharp at the moment, and is certainly giving Italy coach Roberto Donadoni something to think about ahead of Euro 2008.

Subs: Pato 8, Simic 6, Gourcuff 6.5

[LuNo]

Galliani: Gattuso Going Nowhere

Milan chief Adriano Galliani insists Gennaro Gattuso will stay at Milan despite Italian media reports suggesting the contrary.

The midfield dynamo has had a turbulent season with the Rossoneri and his performances on the pitch have not been up to the standard expected from one of the world’s best defensive midfielders.

Many believe Gattuso is on his way out of San Siro but Galliani has other ideas.

“Gattuso has a certain character but he will stay, I am sure of this,” said Galliani.

“There is no way that we are going to sell our best players. I really hope that he can stay.”

“Of course, there are always players who want to leave and those who want to stay but I hope that even those who want to leave will stay.”

It seems as if a number of top European clubs are after Ringhio’s signature including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Milan have been poor this season and they are struggling even to make the Champions League but Galliani doesn’t mind if his side played in the UEFA Cup.

“It doesn’t matter if we play in the UEFA Cup, we have won more club honours than any other football club in the world.”

“If we did play in it, it would only be for one year out of five.”

The Rossoneri are four points behind fourth place Fiorentina and they will be hoping to close the gap when they clash with Livorno on Sunday.

[LuNo]

LIVORNO-MILAN

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi;

DEFENDERS: Oddo, Bonera, Digao, Favalli, Kaladze, Nesta, Jankulovski;

MIDFIELDERS: Brocchi, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Pato, Paloschi.

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