All of the Italian papers published the Official A.C. Milan Press Statement that was printed yesterday on this site.

An interview with Arrigo Sacchi was also published in the papers. The former coach for the Italian national side and A.C. Milan spoke about the Azzurri: ‘They are a true team. They are known for their desire and their totally availability on everyone’s part. It seems to me that they are very motivated team that can also get lucky and that is exactly what they must try to do.’

 

Marco van Basten has told his Holland striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to quit Manchester United and join his old club AC Milan.
 
Van Basten, who won two European Cups in an illustrious playing career at Milan, has been sympathetic to van Nistelrooy's plight since the striker's fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Milan have joined the list of clubs in the hunt for van Nistelrooy and are ready to make their move with a £10million bid to beat rivals Inter to his signing. And the Mirror says van Basten believes that Milan would be the perfect club for the United hitman to relaunch his career

AC Milan's title chase has been rocked after yesterday's shock 2-1 defeat by Chievo Verona.

Kakhaber Kaladze's 22nd minute header gave Milan the lead but Sergio Pellissier equalised on the stroke of half-time for the Gialloblu.

Simone Tiribocchi, just two minutes after coming as a substitute for an injured Brazilian striker Amauri, struck in the 82nd minute to hand his team a deserved three points as Milan had lacked ideas in front of goal.

Carlo Ancelotti's men went into the game hoping to cut into Juventus' five-point lead at the top of the standings.

Instead, defeat in Verona means the Bianconeri can increase their advantage to eight points if they beat Fiorentina today.

"We struggled to keep up with Chievo's pace and aggression," conceded Ancelotti. "We met with a team that wanted this win more than we did and consequently we couldn't keep control of the game."

The Rossoneri's problems seem to be in defence, where distractions are proving increasingly costly of late.

"I think the entire team should learn to cover more, not just the defence, and that was particularly clear with the equaliser. That goal came on the stroke of half-time and certainly hit our confidence."

"We struggled to keep up with Chievo's pace and aggression," conceded Ancelotti. "We met with a team that wanted this win more than we did and consequently we couldn't keep control of the game."

The Rossoneri's problems seem to be in defence, where distractions are proving increasingly costly of late.

"I think the entire team should learn to cover more, not just the defence, and that was particularly clear with the equaliser. That goal came on the stroke of half-time and certainly hit our confidence."

AC Milan secure first refusal on Sao Paulo's Lugano
tribalfootball.com - December 2, 2005

AC Milan have secured first refusal on Sao Paulo defender Diego Lugano.

The Uruguay international is a prime target for Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and has also been the subject of a £2.5 million bid from Inter Milan.

But Milan have gained first refusal on Lugano courtesy of their good relationship with Sao Paulo, which was established two years ago during the transfer of Kaka from the Brazilian giants.

Lugano is seen as a potential replacement for Jaap Stam, though Milan haven't decided if they will sign him in January or June.

AC Milan's pursuit of Serie A table leaders Juventus hit another roadblock this round with Chievo coming from behind to inflict a 2-1 loss on the Rossoneri, while Inter Milan enjoyed a 1-0 win over Ascoli.

In Verona, Kakhaber Kaladze gave Milan a 24th minute lead before goals to Sergio Pellissier and Simone Tiribocchi saw Chievo snatch an unexpected win.

Milan should have known that Chievo, with just two losses this season, would be a tough opponent, yet midway through the first period, it looked as if the Rossoneri would coast to a win.

Kaladze had just slipped a loose ball past Chievo's Lorenzo Squizzi after the keeper had managed to knock the defender's first headed attempt away.

Andriy Shechenko then somehow contrived to miss a shot from two metres as Milan asserted its authority.

The miss may prove to be Milan's costliest of the season though as Davide Mandelli's flick allowed Pellissier to score from close range.

Filippo Inzaghi was brought on for Shevchenko in order to create a win, yet it was Chievo's second half substitute, Tiribocchi, who scored after playing a one-two with strike partner Victor Obinna.

A win to Juventus later in the round will see Milan fall eight points behind the table leaders, although the Turin side is playing fourth-placed Fiorentina, which itself could overtake Milan if it wins.

The victory sees Chievo climb to fifth position on the Serie A table though, while Inter has temporarily jumped into third with a 1-0 win over Ascoli thanks to Adriano's first half goal.