VT: AC Milan

Seedorf uomo solo: attorno a lui un assordante silenzio

La sconfitta dell’Olimpico ha riportato sotto i riflettori i tanti problemi di questo Milan. Le cinque vittorie consecutive avevano solo nascosto le problematiche di una squadra che in campo fatica a imporre il proprio gioco. Il 2-0 di Roma, dunque - scrive La Gazzetta dello Sport - ha messo in risalto, in un unico momento, tutto ciò che non va: poco ritmo, incertezze nei singoli e di reparto, giocatori fuori posizione, altri confinati in panchina, idee tattiche poco chiare e mancanza di comunicazione fra allenatore e dirigenza. Il tutto ruota attorno al silenzio che sta letteralmente travolgendo Seedorf. Dal club nessun segnale, non una parola che possa in qualche modo legittimare il tecnico olandese. L’ex dieci rossonero - sottolinea la rosea - è ormai un uomo solo che, al di là delle sicurezze di facciata, si è reso conto di essere con un piede e mezzo fuori dalla porta.

Seedorf explains surprise tactics

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Seedorf surprised by moving to a 4-3-1-2 system with Adel Taarabt behind Ricky Kaka and Mario Balotelli.

“We had a diamond midfield with Balotelli and Kaka helping out in defence and Taarabt on Esteban Cambiasso. It was very important to keep an eye on Cambiasso, as he can become very dangerous when Inter have possession and often combines with Palacio, so we tried to limit that connection as much as possible.

“The defence is stronger when the whole team works to help out. They understand now how important it is to be aggressive and double up the marking. Nigel De Jong, for example, did brilliantly to be the extra man in defence.”

Despite splendid results, Seedorf remains in doubt for next season, as the club remains unconvinced.

“I am accustomed to criticising myself and have done throughout my career. I consider myself a winner and a winner gives his all. I want to thank the team for their efforts and I was confident over the week, as I could see how concentrated they were in training.

“The way they celebrate together on the field says more than words could. The season isn’t over yet and we have a tough game against Atalanta next week, so we will enjoy the derby win tonight and then begin preparing.”

When discussing the tactical switch, Seedorf hinted it was a move towards the vision of President Silvio Berlusconi.

“My first concern was to find solidity in the two phases. This team has achieved that recently. In this game I wanted to surprise Inter by changing the system, especially as I said the philosophy was more important than the system.

“We know the President likes this system and for next season we eventually have plans to play more in this shape.

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Maldini: 'If Milan want me...'

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Milan are going through a difficult period because two or three years ago they sold 11 or 12 players all together, those who had formed the basis of this squad in previous years,” Maldini told BeIn Sport.

“The club did not find adequate replacements, especially as the economic potential is different to the past. There was perhaps a lack of planning that made this generational change more painful than it should’ve been.”

Clarence Seedorf won the Derby della Madonnina last night, but reports continue to suggest the Coach will be fired at the end of the season anyway.

“I know him well as a player, but as a Coach it’s completely different and he has to measure himself up against this new position.

“It’s not easy, because he has a team that was constructed in a very unbalanced way and therefore it becomes an even tougher and important test for him.

“Let’s just say this is not the ideal situation to start a new profession.”

Maldini’s father Cesare is a Coach and many of his former teammates have gone into management, but Paolo insists he wants nothing to do with the bench.

“Once I retired from playing I made a choice, which was not to become a Coach. I didn’t even take the coaching course.

“The fact that I don’t work for Milan might seem strange to many people, but in reality of all the people of accompanied me in my 25 years with the Rossoneri, hardly anyone still works there.

“It’s not so strange, it is just the strategy of the club and we must adapt to it. If one day I am given the chance to work with and give something more to Milan, then I am certainly ready.”

Milan’s Galliani meets with Joorabchian: progress is made on Taarabt

Class and talent that help the team. Adel Taarabt has made a good impression since arriving at Milan, the club wants to exercise the option to buy him. In the last few hours, Milan’s executive director Galliani had a meeting with Kia Joorabchian, the agent for Taarabt who is still owned by QPR. Milan is making progress, but they don’t want to pay the full 7 million euro option that the London based club is demanding. Galliani wants a discount, he would like to spend around 3/4 million. The situation is evolving after the parties met earlier today, Taarabt’s future is becoming clearer.

Milan makes progress for Alex: deal can be closed

Milan’s Galliani is spending a lot of time with super agent Kia. They are mainly working on bringing Taarabt to the rossoneri on a permanent basis, they had dinner on Saturday and lunch yesterday. QPR owns the midfielder and Milan would like to acquire him. But the Moroccan isn’t the only player they are discussing. Kia is the agent for Alex, and the Brazilian defender is a player Milan would like to sign. Alex’ Brazilian agent Bertolucci was also at San Siro, the defender has an expiring contract with PSG, it appears there are the conditions to bring Alex to Milan next season. It needs to be seen if Alex’ potential arrival would exclude Milan using the option to buy Rami. With Kia in Italy, Milan is trying to get a jumpstart on the summer mercato.

Milan most 'valuable' Serie A club

Forbes released their list of the most valuable football clubs in the world with five Italians in the top 20.

The countdown is announced once a year and calculates the revenue generated by each club.

Real Madrid top the table with a current value of $3.44 bilion and are followed by Barcelona at $3.2 billion.

Milan are considered the most valuable Italian club at $856m in eighth place, behind Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Juventus come next in ninth place at a value of $850m and Liverpool complete the top 10.

Seedorf: 'What did Berlusconi mean?'

Clarence Seedorf was irritated and confused by President Silvio Berlusconi’s criticism as Milan face Atalanta.

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Despite six wins from the last seven rounds and Europa League qualification still within reach, Seedorf’s position on the bench is extremely shaky.

President Berlusconi made matters worse by commenting the elderly people with dementia he’s doing community service with could control the Milan locker room.

“I have no comment, I have nothing to say. I didn’t understand what he meant. My focus is just on the team and the players. I could joke that it’s easy to control this group, but aside from that I didn’t understand what he was trying to say.

“I am pleased that some players declared they were close to me. It’s always pleasing, as if they say it in public then that means they believe it.

“I don’t want to talk about the President with you, I am relaxed. He praised Vincenzo Montella? You shouldn’t ask me, as he’s the one who said those things. You’ll find a brick wall asking me.

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ITALY/ AC MILAN, New plan for holding Taarabt

Still willing to have almost 25 years old Moroccan international winger and half-forward Adel Taarabt, AC Milan management are planning to win over Queens Park Rangers' resistance, due to their unavailability to decrease the 7 million euros request set on former Tottenham and Fulham player's ownership, by setting up a new yearly loan, hiring purchase option included. Equipped with a second French passport, Taarabt has already declared he's willing to keep playing for Rossoneri.

Berlusconi during a TV show: "Who will coach Milan next season? I will answer that the next time I'm invited to this show."

RT @footballitalia: Luciano Spalletti’s apparent talks with Milan have now reportedly broken down over wage demands http://www.football-italia.net/49158/spalletti-turns-down-milan …

"(...) We’ve conceded some incredible goals this season. There aren’t specific reasons why. I’ve been at the club for many years and this is one of the worst seasons I’ve had. "