Abbiati, Amelia, Roma, Abate, Antonini, Bonera, Legrottaglie, Papa, T Silva, Yepes, Zambrotta,Ambrosini, Boateng, Emanuelson, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Van Bommel, Cassano, Robinho, Beretta.
Allegri: Milan - Brescia will decide scudetto.
I think that even if Sampdoria had won last weekend, tomorrow’s match would be just as difficult as it is now. It’s up to us to play a good game from a physical, technical and mental point of view, then we’ll see if it’s enough to get the three points. As always, the upcoming game is more important than the last one. I expect Sampdoria to play an open game and to create some problems for us. They have good players and despite their league position, they’re a good team. Tomorrow, we’ll need to play with great attention without saving energy. We’ll have to be tactically aware and play a fast football, and because of this I think it won’t be easy. The Blucerchiati have more than weapon. Cassano and Pazzini used to be their key players, but now Pozzi will be back in the team and Maccarone is doing well; Poli, Guberti and Palombo are important players, too. Sampdoria’s position in the standings won’t deceive us, they have good players and we’ll have approach the game as if they were the best team in the world, also because now we’re obliged to beat anyone we meet. As for the starting line-up, we’ll see after today’s training session. Called-up: Abbiati, Amelia, Abate, Antonini, Oddo, Papastathopuolos, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes, Boateng, Emanuelson, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Strasser, Van Bommel, Cassano, Pato, Robinho
At this point, motivation can be a key factor. After months, we finally understood when to play in a certain way and when in another, from a technical-tactical standpoint. We’ll need to pay attention to the slightest of details, because they can prove decisive. There are 6 matches left to play, including some against direct rivals and when you make predictions, the contrary happens in the end. Our only concern is getting the three points against Sampdoria, then we’ll see what the others do. If we collect 15 points we win the championship; now we’re focused on getting three tomorrow, then we’ll have enough time to worry about the Italian Cup and Brescia. It’s useless to make calculations. When you’re fighting against relegation, just like when you’re battling for the title, you have to keep calm during the week because the calmer you are going into Sunday, the better you play. Motivation can be decisive at this point of the season. We’re close to the end and I’m sure both Inter and Napoli will be in the race all the along.
I believe Ibra will stay at Milan. His season, aside from the last month, in which he had to pay a high price for inappropriate behaviour, has been exemplary. In the first five months he did great things and he’ll shine again when he returns. He wants to make amends for the suspension. Missing the upcoming matches is a huge blow for him. Ibra is not nervous, otherwise he wouldn’t have played one of his best games of the season in Florence, then in the end he swore, which the referee and the linesman misunderstood. It’s normal that every Milan player, such as Bonera, Pirlo, Pirlo and Inzaghi, wants to be available for the final stage of the season and wants to give his contribution to the team’s cause. The squad is calm, I haven’t seen any sign of nervousness. Against Bari, Ibra committed a soft reaction foul, while against Fiorentina he was speaking to himself, that’s what he told me. I think the lads are behaving in line with the style that has always characterised Milan”.
This has been an important week for Cassano as he’s become a father. I’m satisfied with what he’s done at Milan: he’s been decisive in a couple of games and everyone who has given a hand to the team despite spending limited time on the field is important. We managed to do well even when a lot of players were out with injury, and it’s partly down to those who have given something extra after coming off the bench. I don’t think Cassano should look for another team. At Milan he’s very appreciated and is considered an important member of the squad. At a team like ours, it’s normal that even some stars remain on the bench sometime, but the class of a player shows when he can do his best even when he doesn’t start. I think it won’t affect his role in the national team: he’s a prized asset of Italian football and becoming a father will make him more responsible.
Pirlo is available and will be called up for tomorrow’s match. Obviously, he’s not in condition to play too much, but the game against Palermo will be good occasion for him. Now we’re focused on tomorrow’s game, we’ll look ahead to the Italian Cup semis only from Sunday . Pirlo is an extraordinary player. Unfortunately, he’s had a disastrous season due to injuries, but he can play an important in the last part of the campaign. Ganso is very strong technically, but now let’s concentrate on the present, on the match tomorrow and the other remaining games. Later, there will be time to talk about what may happen in the summer. Not much is said of Van Bommel even if he’s given a lot to the team. He’s an exemplary professional, serious and disciplined, and he’s replaced Ambrosini very well.
Unavailable: Ambrosini, Bonera, Inzaghi, Jankulovski, Nesta
Suspended: Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic received another 3 match ban for the yellow and red cards picked up against Fiorentina. Milan will appeal the decision.
Sokratis wants to stay at Milan
Nikolaos Klitsidis (his agent): In January several European clubs were keen on him, but now he is only thinking about winning the Italian title with AC Milan. If the club will have other plans, then we’ll see.
Berslusconi wants 2 champions: CR7 one of them
Cristiano to AC Milan? Everyone has dreams and sometimes they turn into reality. If we win the Italian championship, then in the summer we will sign one or two champions. If we were to add Ronaldo to our squad, then I think everyone would be pleased.
Milan agreed €27 million transfer fee for Ganso (unconfirmed)
Massimiliano Allegri
We’re not closer to the title. There are still six more games to be played and there are many points at stake in the remainder of the season. However, it’s a real plus that we have an advantage over Napoli and Inter following the wins in our games against them. I’m not angry with him and there’s no problem. Of course, he was wrong to do what he did, but he often shouts at himself on the training pitch. I’m satisfied with his performance.
Clarence Seedorf
We deserved the three points, as the Derby victory lifted out spirits, and helped us to overcome a side like Fiorentina. Unfortunately, we were unable to close the match out in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. We knew the importance of the match, having prepared well. These are the matches that one needs to lift for and trust your team-mates. Ibra is very disappointed over what happened. He was angry in the dressing rooms.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
I was angry with myself after losing possession. I made a comment to myself - it was not directed at the referee or his assistant. I ask for forgiveness from everyone. I left the pitch with making a scene. I was looking at the officials as they were in front of me, and I did not have a gripe with him. It was not the best time to be getting a red card, as I was returning from a suspension.
Ignazio Abate
We knew that we had to take the full three points back home and fully realised that this was a crucial game for us in the race for the Scudetto. We now have everything in our own hands. This victory has given us a three-point lead over Napoli again and we’re five points clear of Inter. It’s very important for us to get nine points from the upcoming three games.
Kevin-Prince Boateng
It was a very important game, I am very happy with the result, the way I played and especially the one-two with Zlatan Ibrahimovic that led to Pato scoring. Moving the ball well and running is crucial to our game. Now we have to think and play like this in all our final games.
Thiago Silva
We can’t let up now, we must go on like this. We were poor against Bari and Palermo, but we did very well in the derby and also tonight against Fiorentina. I dedicate this win to my newborn son, Iago, to Isago and to my wife, Isabele. I’m sorry that I can’t be with them, but now there’s only one month and a half left, then I’ll return to Brazil. But in the end I’m working for them here, my family is the most important thing for me. We won the two derbies and both of our games against Napoli and Fiorentina, we have to continue like this in order to finish first. Ibra was angry with himself, the linesman misunderstood the situation and told the referee that he had been insulted.
Mario Yepes
I’m satisfied because we got a big win. It wasn’t easy to win here, but the team did really well to earned three important points. I think Milan are a great club and because of this even the reserves, when called upon, must be ready to give a hand to the team.
We had a couple of chances to put the game to bed, even in the first half. Then we suffered a bit in the last ten minutes, but in any case it was a well-deserved victory. It’s important to keep winning and to know that we can count on our fans’ support. They were great also tonight.
GK: Christian Abbiati, Marco Amelia, Riccardo Piscitelli
D: Ignazio Abate, Luca Antonini, Massimo Oddo, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mario Yepes
M: Kevin-Prince Boateng, Urby Emanuelson, Mathieu Flamini, Gennaro Gattuso, Alexander Merkel, Clarence Seedorf, Rodney Strasser, Mark van Bommel
F: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato, Robinho
Christian Abbiati
It was surely an important win for us, but there are still many more points up for grabs and we cannot give up.
We must always get the result.
I think the quick goal helped us, for sure, but mentally we were always focussed.
Massimiliano Allegri
It is too early to talk of the championship but certainly we have a good shot at winning the league. We played good football and we continued to control the game after Chivu’s red card in the second half. The victory is well deserved.
Pato had a great match in attack. He did very well to find space in between their two centre-backs. It was one of his best games.
I am sorry that Cassano was sent off but he does have this habit of removing his shirt. On the whole it was a good evening though. Robinho played well and he had several chances to score.
When the team is solid defensively, it gives confidence to all areas of the side. We were compact at all times today.
Alexandre Pato
Today I scored twice, worked hard for the team and in the end we managed to solidify our first place position in the standings.
I dedicate my brace to the fans who have always been here at the stadium to support us, even in the past few years, when things were not going so well.
Marco Amelia
By winning the derby, the team gave me a great birthday gift. Now I’m going home to celebrate with my family.
This game was very important, seeing that the victory allowed us to regain our five-point advantage over Inter. In addition, we grabbed all six points against them this season. It was a decisive match, but the other two teams can still have a say in the title race.
Clarence Seedorf
We’ve been together for a long time. Knowing the environment, I wanted to send out what I consider the most important message: we need to play as a team. I’ve always been proud to wear the number 10, even more so when the captain’s armband also comes with it.
I have great respect for those who have worn it in the past, because they’ve shown exemplary leadership on and off the pitch. We’re a strong team.
We’ve built something important this season and the time for harvesting the fruit of our hard work is coming. Today we regained self-confidence for the next challenges. Hopefully at the end of the season we’ll celebrate the Scudetto together with the fans. Forza Milan forever.
Ignazio Abate
Seedorf is right about this. Clarence played a hell of a game, as did Pato, who is simply unmarkable.
I grew up wearing this shirt so for me winning the derby is a dream come true. I would like to thank the fans because in coming to Milan in their masses this morning they passed their enthusiasm to us.
Gianluca Zambrotta
I encourage the fans to make some noise because their support can help a lot, especially when you’re tired, he said. “Clarence did an excellent job both from a tactical and a technical point of view.
Adriano Galliani
We had a strong start to the game, we were ruthless and managed to surprise them with that early goal. We still haven’t won anything, but Inter have to make up for the six points lost against us in the two derbies of the season.
We won a very important match, but there are still seven games left to play and 21 points up for grabs. You can win the derby and lose the championship and vice versa. There’s one less round and we’re still first.
However, we must keep our feet on the ground, keep focused and calm. In the next round we’ll travel to Florence [to face Fiorentina], we’ll have to concentrate on that challenge from tomorrow on.
My relationship with Leonardo is still good. I’m still fond of him, because we worked together for 13 years. It was me who hired him as my assistant and then as head coach. I consider him a great man and I still like him. Thirteen years cannot be erased by taking a coaching job at Inter. It’s like a divorce: when you leave your wife, you have to remember the good years of your marriage. The relationship ends, but it’s not like it never existed. It did exist. It was a great relationship with Leonardo, but it’s over now. I can’t forget those years, we worked very well together.
L30nardo
I don’t think we have surrendered, but five points in seven games is a lot. However, anything can happen.
Their goal after one minute made our game plan jump, and for 20 minutes we just weren’t there mentally.
We tried to get back into the match and hoped for a better second half, but Cristian Chivu’s dismissal conditioned our chances of recovering.
We really struggled in front of goal and we couldn’t find the space to create. There was little movement and no action.
Now we have to think about Schalke. We have lots of positive things to look forward to, so let’s do that. We take this defeat and dive into the Champions League now.
Javier Zanetti
I don’t know what anyone else thinks, but I know what we think. It’s true, we could have done without losing tonight, but we have to look ahead.
There are still seven matches to play this season, we’re in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. That’s football, and bravo to Cassano for diving in the area.
We had a few chances to equalise, especially in the first half. Milan defended well in the second half and after Chivu was sent off things became more complicated.
They held onto the ball well and kept their lead and that’s why we didn’t score. No one likes to lose a match like this, we’re all disappointed, but as I said, we must look ahead.
Milan:
Abbiati, Amelia
Antonini, Nesta, Papastathopoulos, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes
Boateng, Emanuelson, Flamini, Gattuso, Merkel, Seedorf, Strasser, van Bommel
Cassano, Pato, Robinho
Inter:
Julio Cesar, Castellazzi, Orlandoni
Cordoba, Zanetti, Maicon, Ranocchia, Materazzi, Chivu, Nagatomo
Stankovic, Motta, Sneijder, Kharja, Mariga, Cambiasso, Obi, Coutinho
Pazzini, Eto’o, Milito, Pandev
We’ve taken a point from our last two games, but football is beautiful because everything can change.”
We have been top for 21 weeks. We knew that you couldn’t win the Scudetto with a month to spare. We need to think about getting a result tomorrow.
It’s an extremely important game, but more for them than for us. Milan will be ahead at the kick off. If we win, we go five points clear with seven games left. It wouldn’t be bad, but it’s true that in two games we have taken only one point.
I don’t like it when people talk about us already winning the Scudetto. You win the Scudetto if, at the end of the season, you have a one-point advantage.
We are going forward game-by-game.
It will be a beautiful and important game. Milan will be at the top until tomorrow night. This game is more important for them. There are still seven games after tomorrow, it is possible the championship will be won by one point and things can change because Napoli and Udinese are just behind us. We have been on top for 21 rounds and we knew we could not win the championship one month from the end. Now we need to maintain balance, get an important result, but we don’t not think that the championship will be closed out tomorrow. The championship is won only if the math says so right to the end.
The lads have worked well during the break. We are confident in dealing with this game.
I think it will be a balanced game, we will have to use our heads, we must remain compact and play a very technically accurate game. Obviously we would go five points ahead with a win and that would be a good advantage, but obviously you only win the league when you are four points ahead with a match to go.
We need to take one game at a time. We will see tomorrow evening if we are still in the lead or we have increased our advantage. The objectives do not change: tomorrow is an important game and then we have Fiorentina to play. There is no use making assumptions.
It’s a derby and it is an important game in the league but the title will be decided in the future. not tomorrow.
There has been a build-up to play this game, there has been plenty of talk for the last few days. There is excitement about playing such an important game, but we are ready to play with concentration, desire and sacrifice which is what you need in a game like this.
There is still a doubt between Antonini and Zambrotta and there is a doubt in midfield. (van Bommel or Flamini)
Milan
Out: Ibrahimovic, Ambrosini, Inzaghi (is training but probably won’t play), Jankulovski
Doubtful: Pirlo
Inter
Out: Samuel, Lucio
Doubtful: Ranocchia, Chivu
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 3 match ban following the red card he picked against Bari was reduced to 2 matches. Ibrahimovic will return to the pitch against Fiorentina.
EXCLUSIVE
Andrea Pirlo will leave Milan at the end of the season and Juventus have emerged as the most probable destination for the World Cup winner, Goal.com can reveal.
Hope this means that Milan will switch a formation with wingers next year.
