AC Milan

Cagliari 1-2 Milan

Andrea Pirlo scored a magnificent late free-kick, as Milan came from behind in Sardinia to earn a vital 2-1 victory over Cagliari.

The islanders had given new Coach Nedo Sonetti a dream start by taking the lead through Robert Acquafresca after just three minutes.

However, after Kaka had a penalty saved (44), Alberto Gilardino levelled the scores (61), before Pirlo produced a piece of magic (85) to complete an excellent comeback for the European Champions.

The big team news was the return of Ronaldo from injury. He partnered Alberto Gilardino up-front in a 4-3-1-2 system. The Azzurri trio of Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini started in midfield, with Kaka in the ‘trequartista’ role.

For Cagliari, Nedo Sonetti had Diego Lopez back in defence, while Italy Under-21 star Robert Acquafresca and Alessandro Matri led the forward line.

There was a minute silence before the game in memory of an Italian soldier who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan yesterday.

Cagliari had a dream start and with just three minutes gone they took a shock lead as Acquafresca rose above Massimo Oddo at the near-post to header a corner past Dida.

Milan tried to react, with Serginho and Paolo Maldini both firing in shots from long-range but Marco Fortin in the Cagliari goal was never in danger.

The Rossoneri were brittle in defence and Pasquale Foggia went on an excellent run down the right and blasted a ball right across the six-yard box. Foggia was causing all kinds of problems for Milan, and tried a 25-yard shot which Dida collected at the second attempt.

The Rossoneri went close to an equaliser on 21 minutes as Ambrosini flicked on a corner at the near post but it was headed off the line. Ronaldo then demonstrated a glimpse of his quality with a first-time snapshot from outside the box, however it was well over.

As the half wore on Milan began to dictate the game but everything was very narrow and chances were hard to come by. On 33 minutes Lopez miscued a clearance over his own ‘keeper but both were relieved to see the ball drift wide.

Ronaldo then dropped his shoulder beautifully to turn his marker but Alessandro Agostini arrived to make a fine block on El Fenomeno’s shot.

Just two minutes before the break, Milan missed a golden chance to level the scores. Ronaldo went down in the area after a shirt-pull from Paolo Bianco, and the referee perhaps generously awarded a penalty.

Kaka stepped up and fired to Fortin’s right but the Cagliari number one guessed correctly and palmed the ball away. Maldini then slashed the rebound into the side-netting.

Cagliari started the second half the brighter and Biondini crossed for the unmarked Acquafresca, who was unable to get enough purchase on his header. Foggia then caught the Milan defence napping with a short corner and his cross was inches away from Bianco.

On 52 minutes Ronaldo was inches away from an equaliser, after a superb guided-effort from the edge of the area, however he was desperately unlucky to see it come back off the post. Serginho then tried his luck from all of 30 yards but it went just wide.

Just past the hour mark, Milan finally got on level terms. Serginho’s cross ricocheted into the path of Gilardino, who did well to lift the ball over the onrushing Fortin.

Cagliari almost immediately regained the lead. Foggia released Acquafresca, who rounded Dida, only to then see Milan substitute Daniele Bonera produce a brilliant clearance off the line.

Foggia had been the best player on the pitch and ten minutes later he tried an outrageous lob from the half-way line but it was perhaps a little over-ambitious.

Cafu was introduced for Oddo, and he immediately produced, what up until then was, the shot of the match. Pirlo floated a corner to the edge of the area, and Cafu connected with a ferocious first-time volley which rocketed just inches over the bar. The technique in the effort was brilliant.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw when, with just five minutes remaining, Pirlo produced a piece of magic to put Milan ahead. The playmaker hit a swerving free-kick from more than 30 yards, which totally deceived Fortin in the Cagliari goal.

The ball ended up virtually in the middle of the goal, so some may argue that Fortin was at fault, however the swerve that Pirlo managed to get on the ball was reminiscent of some of the free-kicks taken by Lyon star Juninho.

Milan held on comfortably to obtain a priceless three points, and they can now look forward to next week’s big match with Juventus.

Cagliari: Fortin; Ferri, Lopez (Bizera 74), Bianco, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Parola; Foggia (Larrivey 87); Matri (Fini 66), Acquafresca

Milan: Dida; Oddo (Cafu 70), Nesta, Maldini, Serginho; Gattuso (Brocchi 79), Pirlo, Ambrosini (Bonera 58); Kakà; Ronaldo, Gilardino

Ref: Dondarini

Goals: Acquafresca 3 (C), Gilardino 61 (M), Pirlo 85 (M)

Missed penalty: Kaka 43 (M)

Highlight Goal Videos
Cagliari Vs Milan AC
1-0 Acquafresca
http://www.zshare.net/download/51548850fa311c/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200198/Acquafresca.wmv.html

1-1 Gilardino
http://www.zshare.net/download/51549298a45245/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200504/Gilardino.wmv.html

1-2 Pirlo
http://www.zshare.net/download/51549488ddef12/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200663/Pirlo.wmv.html

credit : Carlo Garganese,Modibo

Nel finale il gran gol del centrocampista mette Ko un buon Cagliari.

Al Sant’Elia è tempo di prime volte. La prima di Sonetti sulla panchina sarda dopo l’esonero di Giampaolo, la prima di Ronaldo dopo l’infortunio di luglio. A tutto questo non potranno assistere i tifosi rossoneri, ma questa è un’altra storia. Formazioni piuttosto speculari con due punte, altra prima volta per il Milan di questa stagione, e un trequartista alle loro spalle. Nei rossoblu c’è Foggia, nel Milan, dopo i dubbi dei giorni scorsi, Kaka. Centrocampo a tre e difesa a quattro per entrambi gli allenatori.

Inizia la partita e dopo quattro minuti il Cagliari è in vantaggio. Calcio d’angolo di Conti e colpo di testa vincente di Acquafresca, scuola Inter, e protagonista quindi di un personale derby. Il gol regala gioia ai sardi, grande ritmo alla partita, buon spettacolo, un Cagliari bravo in contropiede e un Milan voglioso di recuperare in fretta. I padroni di casa si affidano all’attenzione, all’aggressività di difesa e centrocampo e al talento e alla velocità di un Foggia che si muove in mezzo e a destra e che, al 20’ , va vicino alla rete con un buon tiro dal limite. Il Milan soffre un po’ le ripartenze rossoblu, manovra discretamente, si appoggia su un Kaka più arretrato del solito e attende i frutti delle buone combinazioni tra il futuro Pallone d’oro e un vivace Ronaldo. La squadra di Ancelotti prova a spingere con grande insistenza cercando di sfruttare sia le vie centrali che le fasce. Serginho e Oddo salgono bene, i palloni arrivano in mezzo all’area, ma la difesa cagliaritana è attenta e respinge. Dalla trequarti Kaka prende palla, scambia con Ronaldo e Gilardino, ma entrare nei sedici metri rossoblu resta molto difficile. Fortin è sicuro nelle uscite e non corre particolari pericoli. I rossoneri premono e il Cagliari risponde con le armi della grinta e della concentrazione. Al 43’ grande occasione per il Milan. Calcio di rigore per fallo di Bianco su Ronaldo. Tentativo di Kaka e grande parata di Fortin. Anche i grandi sbagliano.

La ripresa non offre novità nelle formazioni e nemmeno nell’atteggiamento delle due squadre. Il Milan tiene in mano il gioco, sale verso la porta cagliaritana, ma fa fatica ad arrivare alla conclusione, i padroni di casa corrono molto, recuperano palla e cercano di ripartire in contropiede. All’8’ Ronaldo trova un colpo da campione, ma il palo gli nega la gioia del gol. Ancelotti inserisce Bonera per Ambrosini, schiera la difesa a tre e sposta Serginho più avanti. Il brasiliano ringrazia e poco dopo trova una buona conclusione che esce di poco. I segnali sono positivi e ben presto si traducono in gol. Pallone in mezzo all’area, guizzo di Gilardino e rete rossonera. Uno a uno. Il Cagliari non si perde d’animo e per poco non si riporta in vantaggio. Grande azione di Acquafresca, dribbling su Dida , conclusione in diagonale e salvataggio sulla linea di Bonera. Il Milan prova a vincere, il Cagliari continua la sua buona partita. I rossoneri si sbilanciano molto, per i rossoblu si aprono spazi interessanti. Le squadre sono un po’ stanche, ma il ritmo rimane alto. Un paio di sostituzioni da una parte e dall’altra regalano nuova linfa. La partita rimane piacevole, e al 41’ ha uno scossone importante. Grandissima punizione di Pirlo, palla sotto la traversa e Milan in vantaggio. Nel finale il Cagliari prova un disperato recupero ma non c’è niente da fare. Dondarini fischia la fine e a festeggiare sono gli ospiti che, pur soffrendo, trovano tre punti fondamentali per la rincorsa al quarto posto. Per il Cagliari una buonissima prestazione e il rammarico per non essere riuscito a guadagnare almeno un punto.

TABELLINO

Highlight Goal Videos
Cagliari Vs Milan AC
1-0 Acquafresca
http://www.zshare.net/download/51548850fa311c/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200198/Acquafresca.wmv.html

1-1 Gilardino
http://www.zshare.net/download/51549298a45245/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200504/Gilardino.wmv.html

1-2 Pirlo
http://www.zshare.net/download/51549488ddef12/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200663/Pirlo.wmv.html

credit : Livefooty,iker91,roby,Modibo,Stefano De Martino

Highlight Videos

History_derby_Inter-Milan (674 Mb)
batfile for merge
1h 56 min. Video: 352×288,DX50,670kbps; Audio: stereo,44100Hz,128kbps. English comment. 2001.

credit : Archih

Serie A Preview: Cagliari Vs Ac Milan
What: Italian Serie A
Who: Cagliari (9 pts., 17th) vs. AC Milan (14 pts., 11th)
When: Sunday November 25, 15:00 (CET)
Where: Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari

Live Stream

14:00 GMT [Italian Seria A]Cagliari - AC Milan

Stream #1[En] OR Stream #2

Highlight Goal Videos
Cagliari Vs Milan AC
1-0 Acquafresca
http://www.zshare.net/download/51548850fa311c/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200198/Acquafresca.wmv.html

1-1 Gilardino
http://www.zshare.net/download/51549298a45245/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200504/Gilardino.wmv.html

1-2 Pirlo
http://www.zshare.net/download/51549488ddef12/
http://rapidshare.com/files/72200663/Pirlo.wmv.html

credit : Livefooty,iker91,roby,Modibo

I know it is an early preview but I am excited for what this game holds for Milan. A win over Livorno at the San Siro will bring Milan 1 point ahead of Fiorentina and 1 point into the Champions League zone.

After what looked like an impossible task at the early stages of the season, Milan have finally managed to grab hold of some consistant form which has seen them climb their way up the table.

The rossoneri will take on the Tuscan outfit once again without the attacking pair of Pato and Kaka, while Ronaldo seems to have rekindled his injury for the third time this year against Siena. The Brazilian managed only his third appearance this season against Siena, but he failed to impress as he lasted only 45 minutes, doubts over whether he will make it for the Champions League clash against Arsenal have been raised.

Alberto Gilardino has eased Ancelotti’s nerves as he returns from suspension, the ex-Parma man will be looking to score his 4th decisive goal this season. However, Inzaghi has also boosted the line-up as he finally returned from injury on the weekend yet he is still to get off the mark- his last goal coming last year January against Parma.

While the new Italian sensation, Alberto Paloschi, will also be availble for “i diavoli” and many fans will be looking forward to see him play once more. The youngster is simply booming since his winner against Siena.

Oddo and Kaladze will also return as the pair took the weekend off after playing midweek for their national teams however, worries have been raised over Nesta as he seems to be struggling with a continous back pain. He may be rested until the clash against Arsenal.

Hopefully this game Carlo will rest some of the first team players and allow for the youth to take control as Paloschi did so well against Siena last weekend.

FORZA MILAN! For fourth place!

Milan have edged ever so closer to 4th place after securing a vital 1-0 win over a revitalised Siena. The Tuscans fought hard for 63 minutes until they were finally broken down by an unknown player called Alberto Paloschi.

The rossoneri came into the game at the peak of their injury crisis with Pato, Kaka, Oddo and Kaladze all unable to play. While Seedorf couldn’t start the game due to a knock he picked up and Alberto Gilardino was suspended. However, they were boosted by the return of Ronaldo and Inzaghi- both having just recovered from long injury spells.

Finally the photo’s are up! They start from when I was outside Roma’s hotel to the warm-up on the field to the game. Enjoy, I hope they are good!

Well what can I say but WOW!! I am sure everyone was just as shocked as I was to see struggling minnows Siena beat second place Roma 3-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

I had the priveledge to be able to go to the game and see Siena embarass the Romans and their fans.

Before the game I stumbled across the Hotel where Roma where staying, anxious fans stood and waited in the rain to see their team. I decided to wait outside too, after all it isn’t often you get to see the likes of Totti, Mexes and Mancini a metre away from you.

The players finally came out and looked really nervous to be honest. Only De Rossi and Totti adressed the crowd of people. Anyway in the process I managed to get a few good shots of the players.

I sat at the Curva San Domenico, which I found is a much better place to sit and see the game than being at Curva Robur. Next to my stand the Romani where sitting and they immediately greeted the Siena fans with hostility.

But of course they were soon to be shut up as Siena’s two goals surprising flew in. There was one disappiontment though; to see Totti act the way he did when he tried to get the ball from Manniger. To see one of your main football idols act that way right in front of your eyes was disappionting but of course, we all know Totti isn’t ashamed to show his temper.

After the third goal was scored half the Romani left the stadium and the ones that remianed until the end of the game were escorted out of a seperate entrance by stewards to prevent crowd trouble.

All in all it was great to see and lets hope that this win will be the start of Siena’s revival.

Hopefully the pictures will be up soon! They aren’t working now!

It’s been a while since I have written on here as Siena has kept me quite busy but it has all been worth it. Just this morning, on my way to Uni, I walked past Siena’s coach Mario Barretta in the street. He was all kitted out and carrying a thick file, and he was walking to his car. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to speak to him as I was in a big group of people and I was running late for Uni but it looked like he was on his way to practise.

Forza Milan, lets get that second home win!!

Here are the photo’s I promised, sorry they took so long as I have been sick this past week and have only been able to get hold of the internet now!

It starts from Forestieri’s celebration at the end to the pre-match warm up! Enjoy!