Friday, April 17, 2009

Pato is being picked on

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has demanded that referees give more protection to star teenage striker Pato.

Milan have been complaining in recent weeks that Pato is being targetted by defenders and Galliani is worried for the Brazilian.

"He is being scientifically targetted the moment he steps on the pitch with the hope that, given that he is young, he will become a peripheral figure, something that happens on occasions," complained Galliani.

"Defenders have always kicked forwards but the treatment dealt out to Pato is a little excessive.

"But it's up to the referees to see if things are legal or not. Referees shouldn't protect anyone but they have to put the brakes on violent play and I hope they'll do so in the next match."





Milan, who host lowly Torino on Sunday, sit third in Serie A, just two points behind second-placed Juventus and four ahead of Genoa in fourth.

With leaders Inter Milan 12 points ahead of them, Milan's aim is merely to finish in the top three and ensure they qualify directly for the group stages of next season's Champions League.

Even so, the feeling in the San Siro is that second place is a real possibility.

"I don't like to make predictions, Juve have two points more than us but behind us there are Genoa, who are playing really well, and of course Fiorentina, we'll see what happens but it will be difficult (to claim second place)," added Galliani.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gmj4qXJ-CsoOjr77k5Sp81ggvLxA

Monday, April 13, 2009

Pato Sure Kaka And Ancelotti Will Remain At Milan

The Rossoneri starlet is fairly certain that his fellow countryman and coach will both remain at the club.

Apr 8, 2009 7:39:40 PM

Kaka-Ronaldinho-Pato Torino-Milan Serie A (Grazia Neri)
Kaka-Ronaldinho-Pato Torino-Milan Serie A (Grazia Neri)

Milan are currently well-positioned in the league in third place and are looking extremely likely to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, after missing out to Fiorentina this term.

With their season all but over, much of the news coming from the Rossoneri camp of late has centred on transfer news, mainly concerning Kaka and coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Both have been linked with moves away from the club at the conclusion of the season, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea linked as possible destinations. Despite this, the club’s top scorer this season, Alexandre Pato, believes that both the trainer and the Brazilian playmaker will remain with the club next term.

“In January I was very scared with everything I read in the newspapers about the possible departure of Kaka,” Pato admitted in an interview with Milan Studio Sport.

“He made the right choice in deciding to stay here though, as this is, and will always be, his home. With him by my side I can learn so many things, and hopefully become a great player too.

“Ancelotti is another who always helps me, both in matches and in training. With this in mind, I will not be happy if he leaves either, and I don’t think he will, as he has a close bond with the club.”

The 19-year-old star went on to discuss his international future with Brazil, and the recent dramas surrounding his snub from Dunga’s starting line-up despite his outstanding form with Milan.

He said, “I am very happy to be called up to the Brazilian national team, so I do respect all those who stand before me in Dunga’s eyes.

“I will keep working hard, and do my best to ensure that in eighteen months time I am at the World Cup in South Africa.”

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/04/09/1199666/pato-sure-kaka-and-ancelotti-will-remain-at-milan

Soccer-Kaka denies talks with Real

AC Milan's Kaka has denied holding talks with Real Madrid and said he wants to stay with the Serie A club.

Spanish media said prospective Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had agreed with Milan to sign Kaka in the off-season, having failed to attain the Brazilian when he was in charge at the Bernabeu.

"I think in recent days too many people have talked, now I'll speak," Kaka told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have not had contact with Real, no one has tried to contact me and I think I have already made myself clear ... my wish is to stay at Milan."

Asked whether that would mean he would stay at the San Siro for life, Kaka said: "For the fifth time, it seems so to me."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who almost sold Kaka to Manchester City in January for a record fee, earlier said the former world player of the year was not for sale.

Kaka, who has been troubled by a foot injury in recent weeks, also said he would be happy to play under Massimiliano Allegri, amid media speculation the Cagliari boss may replace current coach Carlo Ancelotti.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL99195720090409