AC Milan 2007/08 Thread.

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Sun May 18, 2008 7:21 pm

So UEFA cup it is.

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Sun May 18, 2008 7:58 pm

Today it finally became a reality. I do feel sad and it will be hard missing out on the UCL, but we can't complain.

Hopefully this will not effect our dealings in the transfer market and a better concentrated effort will be made on the Scudetto next season. Crying or Very sad

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Sun May 18, 2008 8:03 pm

Dear rossoneri fans,

Sunday's game will be the last one for me in a Milan shirt. Five years have passed since I became part of the great rossoneri family and eleven since I came to Italy.

They were unforgettable years, full of undescribable emotions for me and my family and great professional satisfactions which, as it happens in sports and life, sometimes alternate with less happy moments. I could make a list of a long series of moments which will always stay in my memory: from the first victories with San Paolo and Palmeiras, to the extraordinary Scudetto victory with Roma, to the moment when, as Captain of the Selecao, I lifted the World Cup in Japan in 2002, until the Scudetto victory in 2004 with Milan, and the Champions League last season.

I cannot however forget less fortunate experiences to which I am still connected like the inexplicable night in Istanbul. These are all targets you achieve by fighting until the end, with a smile on your face and a good dose of humility, hard work, and sacrifice. These are the characteristics which represent not only me, but the whole group I was privileged to work with these last five years. A team composed of great champions on and off the pitch, with whom I immediately established a wonderful understanding, so much so that I share wonderful memories with some of them.

On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to thank the President, the Coach, and my team mates, the managers and the entire club, to whom I wish all the best, all the friends I had the pleasure to meet during my 'Italian' years and especially the numerous Milan and Roma fans who always supported and encouraged me.

Marcos Cafu

<Ale>

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Sun May 18, 2008 8:06 pm

That's a lovely letter he's penned to the fans.

Very considerate too. Good guy.

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Sun May 18, 2008 8:24 pm

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Mon May 19, 2008 10:34 am

Seasons rating from one of my friends do you agree?

Kalac 6.5
Dida 4
Nesta 6 -- He was half a step slower than before this season
Kaladze 5.5
Favalli 4.5
Cafu 6 --- He was always good when he played
Serginho s.v.
Bonera 6
Ambrosini 7 -Our best player this season. The only one who kept the level of the season before
Kaka 6 --- Outside of the derby, not a whole lot there. The only milanista who can blame Kaka is me apparently
Pirlo 6 --- Great in many spurts, tired in others. I hope age/games isn't catching up to him. Needs to work on stamina
Seedorf 6
Gattuso 5 ---- Worst season in our colors, even worse than when he just came in from Rangers
Brocchi 4--- Needs to leave
Gourcuff 3--- A non factor, one good cross
Oddo 2.5--- I would ship him out, he is terrible. Outside of the 2
games with arsenal I have never seen a worse milan wing back outside of
n'gotty
Jankulovski 4.5
Emerson 4.5 --- Okay when he played, then lost match fitness and got injured
Ronaldo 5 --- Great when he played... twice.
inzaghi 7-- When fit, amazing
Pato 7 ---- The future, and the best of our present.
Gilardino 2 --- With Oddo, gone while you can still get a few bucks
Paloschi 6.5 --- Great
Digao 3 --- One half decent coppa italia game
Simic 5

Ancelotti 5 --- Not his best season
Gallani 4.5 ---
Berlusconi 6--- Got us Pato, and a gentlememan with the heroes from the previous season

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Mon May 19, 2008 10:38 am

And this (he posted this on another forum though)

There is no denying that this season has ultimately been a failure. The
horrific injury to Ronaldo, the run of matches without winning at San
Siro, getting knocked out of Europe in March, and most importantly the
failure to capture that coveted fourth spot and thus missing out on the
CL next season all paint a gloomy picture define the 2007/08 campaign.
However there have been some memorable moments this year that I think
we should savor, despite everything.

UEFA Supercup a.k.a. the Pirlo Show

Unfortunately, this match was clouded by the tragic death of Sevilla
defender Antonio Puerta. However, the match went on as planned, and
both our tifosi and our players paid a fitting tribute to the man

As for the match itself, it provides a perfect example of the genius
that is Andrea Pirlo. He was carving up the defense with his brilliant
passes all game long, but the long ball to Jankulovski for the second
goal was just sublime

It was a fantastic display of football and class by our side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnW9b7EGC3A

Pippo's European Record

When it comes to the Champions League, no man does it better than Pippo
Inzaghi. On December 4, 2007 he made it official. A typical right
place, right time tap in against Celtic took him above Gerd Müller and
into football immortality, despite the accusations of 'no talent.'
Talentless he may be, but he knows how to score.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN9dKSVVxac

Pallone d'Oro

Our golden boy got rewarder for his magic in the road to Athens with
the ultimate prize for an individual player, the Golden Ball. Following
in the footsteps of Gianni Rivera, Marco van Basten, and George Weah,
Ricky is well on his way to becoming a rossonero legend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STOSoyUm7Y4

FIFA Club World Cup, or Operation Revenge continued

From the screams of 'Andiamo a Tokyo' heard right out side of the
stadium in Athens, I could not stop thinking about Japan. After
Liverpool was taken care of, a unique opportunity for revenge presented
itself for the second time in a year, this time against our 2003
Intercontinental Cup opponents Boca Juniors. After getting past Urawa
in the Semifinals, which was no easy task, Kaka and company put on a
show in the final, and Il Capitano finally got a chance to lift the
trophy that he missed out on four years prior. Oh, and Pippo scored his
5th goal in three finals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JKbwFn5llM

The Debut of Pato

After the incredible amount of hype surrounding the 18 year old
Brazilian who looks like he should still be in school, we were all
excepting something special that night against Napoli. He promised a
goal, and he delivered. A fantastic first touch to get away from the
defender, and a calm finish under the goalie. With 9 goals in 17
appearances, he looks like the real deal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3okADx0lAE

The Debut of Paloschi

Although not quite as hyped up as Pato, his goal was just as
incredible. With two goals in the Coppa Italia already, Alberto came on
as a substitute against Siena. At 18 years of age, in the 18th minute
of the second half, and after 18 seconds, he drilled a half-volley past
a helpless Manninger!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB4Jq6IdNys

Pippo's Scoring Run

After not scoring in Serie A for over a year, Pippo responded to the
critics by scoring a last-minute goal against Palermo, and then going
on an incredible scoring run to close out the season. 10 goals in the
last 7 matches, including a hat trick against Livorno and a crucial
goal in the derby. Superpippo has shown us that he still has is,
provided that he can stay healthy, that is. Which unfortunately is not
often, but this is a positive thread!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeQbJFJ8AcI

Derby della Madonnina

With the last derby victory coming in 2006, and the possibility that
Inter would win Lo Scudetto and celebrate in front of our faces, this
was a must-win. A fantastic performance on the field, with goals from
Pippo and Kaka, as well as the first derby choreography since the first
derby of 06, made for an all-around aweseome match. "Anche nell'anno
del centenario, sempre il solito scenario!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg9hfE89ZEg

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Mon May 19, 2008 11:07 am

I pretty much agree with your friend's ratings, okay maybe I would change a +- 0.5 here and there but he does identify the underperformers and those who did well correctly.

For me, apart from the debut of Pato (& Paloschi) there's not much to savor, especially since the majority of people could see this coming when our management didn't bother to add to the team last year. Actually the thing that pissed me off the most was renewing Butterfingers' contract last season, at a time where everybody could clearly see that he is nothing but a liability. But anyway, If this season has managed to serve as the much needed wake up call then it will all be worth it.

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Mon May 19, 2008 11:15 pm

Good post DS, thanks.

Gennaro Gattuso has ended speculation about his future by deciding to remain at Milan. "I'll finish my career here."

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Thu May 22, 2008 11:56 pm

Ibrahim Ba will scout for Milan in Africa after the midfielder brought his playing career with the Rossoneri to an end.

Subject: Re: AC Milan 2007/08 Thread. Fri May 23, 2008 10:13 pm

Ricky Kaka has expressed his dissatisfaction at the Rossoneri's insistence he have knee surgery.

The Brazilian star hoped to represent his country at this summer's Beijing Olympics, but Milan want his recurring knee injury dealt with in time for next season.

“I made myself available for the Games,” reveals Kaka. “But Milan exercised their right, which they are entitled to as my club.”

The 26-year-old's left knee has been troublesome since the turn of the year and needs surgical intervention to clean it.

“I did everything I could, but Milan chose this option,” lamented Kaka.

“It is the first time I have ever been operated on. I am anxious, even if it is a little procedure.

“I asked doctor Jose Luiz Runco if there was anything we could do to avoid this eventuality, but it appears surgery is the only solution.”

It has been suggested that Kaka will be out for three months and will miss Brazil's friendlies against Canada and Venezuela as well as Milan's pre-season.

“I will miss the two friendlies and make sure I am ready for our 2010 qualification matches against Paraguay and Argentina.”

Manager Age : 19 Joined : 16 Aug 2006 Posts : 14480

Milan have once again found themselves at the mercy of the Ultra's after another envelope containing a bullet and threats was sent to their headquarters on Monday morning according to La Gazzetta Dell Sport.

Staff at the Rossoneri's head office in Via Turati in the centre of Milan received a suspicious envelope which contained a firearm bullet inside as well as numerous threats aimed at Adriano Galliani and Silvio Berlusconi.

It comes just months after a similar incident back in January when a bullet and note with threats to Milan's board was found. On that occasion the people responsible gave their reasons behind their actions and they claimed the letter was a result of Milan's poor season.

The Rossoneri tried to bounce back but they failed to make the Champions League and, although the content of the latest threat remains unknown, many believe it comes as a result for Milan's failure to qualify for Europe's elite club competition.

The Police are currently investigating the incident and the club have not yet confirmed what has been reported by the Italian media.

It looks as if the same people for the incident back in January may be accountable for this latest incident to affect the Rossoneri.

Italian club's are used to this sort of mindless behaviour by Ultra's as well as rivals with a number of major and minor incidents affecting the Italian game in recent years.

However, it seems unlikely that these episodes of violence and threatening behaviour will be eradicated soon, despite efforts from clubs and authorities for Calcio to clean up it's tarnished image.