[timothy]

45'+1' Generic Event The first half ended, Milan-Arsenal 0-0
45' Off side Emmanuel Eboue
45' Generic Event 1 minute of injury time
43' Action Sheyi Emanuel Adebayor Tries to shoot towards goal from the edge of thte penalty area, but the ball is weak and Kalac saves
41' Generic Event Teams make the ball go round in midfield
39' Action Cesc Fabregas Takes a free kick from outside the penalty area on the second post, Maldini clears
34' Action Cesc Fabregas Central shot which hits the bar
33' Yellow card Alexander Hleb Shown the yellow card for diving on the edge of the penalty area
31' Action Emmanuel Eboue Cross fom the right hand side, but no team mate reaches it
29' Corner kick Cesc Fabregas The ball on the second post, Kaladze clears with a header
29' Action Cesc Fabregas Tries the shot from the distance, but the ball is deflected in corner
28' Action Zeljko Kalac Shot from the distance by Adebayor, fantastic save by the Australian goalkeeper who deflects in corner
27' Action Kaká Stops a ball on the edge of the penalty area, shoots towards goal, but the English defenders block him
25' Action Andrea Pirlo Long ball forward for Pato, Alumnia anticipates him
24' Action Paolo Maldini From the left hand side tries to serve towards the middle for Inzaghi who does not reach the ball and Alumnia catches the ball
22' Action Kaká A pass by Oddo from the right hand side, Kaka on the first post tries to shoot with his left foot and goes just wide on the left hand side of Alumnia
21' Corner kick Filippo Inzaghi Pirlo from the corner kick towards the middle, but Pippo's finish goes just wide
20' Action Filippo Inzaghi Senderos deflects the ball in corner a dangerous ball for Arsenal
19' Action Pato Great personal move by Kaka who started from the middle of the pitch on the left hand side and arrived to cross on the right hand side for Pato. Pato tries the lob, Almunia saves
18' Off side Cesc Fabregas
17' Action Massimo Ambrosini Great stop in outball following a ball moved forward by Sagna on the edge of the penalty area
15' Action Filippo Inzaghi Cross from the left hand side by Maldini, Pippo shoots towards goal, but his shot is week and central
13' Action Abou Diaby Following a ball served by Adebayor on the edge of the penalty area, Diaby shoots towards goal, but the ball goes out on the left hand side of Kalac
12' Generic Event Gallas is back on the pitch without any problem
10' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Ball towards the middle, but Nesta and Gallas collide in the middle of the penalty area and the Arsenal player is temporarily on the ground
10' Action Andrea Pirlo Takes a set-piece from outside the penalty area, the ball towards the middle but Flamini clears
9' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Ball towards the middle, Oddo tries to arrive, but Senderos clears
8' Action Alexander Hleb Tries the shot from the distance, the ball goes over the bar
8' Action Pato Great personal move by Pato on the left hand side, who from an angles position tried to shoot towards goal, but the ball went high
7' Action Kaká Cross from the left hand side for Gattuso, who tries the shot from the distance, but the English defence intercepts
6' Action Kaká Tries to counter attack from midfield, but Fabregas intercepts
4' Action Kakha Kaladze Stopped the ball as Adebayor tried to go in
2' Off side Filippo Inzaghi Ball forward by Pirlo for Pippo, but his position is offside
1' Generic Event Referee Plautz has whistled the start of Milan-Arsenal

[timothy]

90'+4' Generic Event It's over: Milan-Arsenal 0-2
90'+2' Goal Sheyi Emanuel Adebayor Walcott from the right hand side towards the middle for his team-mate who scores
90' Generic Event 4 minutes of injury time
89' Injury Manuel Almunia On the gorund following a collision with Ambrosini
87' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Ball towards the middle, but Sagna clears
84' Goal Cesc Fabregas Right footer from the distance which goes past Kalac
83' Action Pato A right footer, central
82' Action Andrea Pirlo Takes a free-kick from outside the penalty area, ball towards the first post, Walcott clears
80' Yellow card Kaká
79' Action Pato Great chance for Milan with Pato who starts from the right hand side, Alumnia saves in corner, but the referee does not award the corner
75' Action Theo Walcott Tries the shot with his right foot, Kalac parries with his knee, the ball remains in the penalty area, but the Rossoneri's defence clears
73' Yellow card Gael Clichy For a foul on Pirlo
73' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Ball towards the middle but is cleared by the English defence, on the rebound Oddo tries his luck from the distance, but Alumnia recovers
71' Substitution Emmanuel Eboue
Theo Walcott
69' Substitution Filippo Inzaghi
Alberto Gilardino
68' Action Massimo Oddo Stopped Adebayor as he was going through
67' Off side Pato Launched by Kaka on the right hand side
66' Action Pato A ball towards the middle from Oddo to Pato whose shot goes high
65' Action Alessandro Nesta Sends out a cross from the right hand side by Sagna
63' Action Kaká Wonderful move by Kaka who is served by Pirlo in midfield, dribbles all opponents and arrives in front of Almunia, but his shot is just wide
61' Generic Event Picked up a knock following a contrast in midfield
58' Off side Kaká Launched forward by Pirlo, but his position is offside
57' Action Massimo Ambrosini Ball forward for Inzaghi, Almunia gathers the ball
56' Yellow card Emmanuel Eboue For a foul on Maldini
55' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Ball inside the penalty area, Ambrosini tries to arriva, but Hleb anticipates him
55' Yellow card Filippo Inzaghi
54' Action Andrea Pirlo Takes a set-piece from outside the penalty area, the ball towards goal, Almunia deflects in corner
53' Off side Filippo Inzaghi Served froward by Pirlo but he is in an offside position and the ball is intercepted by Senderos
52' Action Kaká Tries a right footer from the edge of the penalty area, Adebayor deflects
51' Action Emmanuel Eboue Served from the left hand side by Adebayor, tries to shoot towards the second post, but the ball goes out
50' Action Pato Served by Pirlo, stops the ball and tries to shoot with his right footer, but the ball goes wide
48' Action Kakha Kaladze Sends in a throw-in a ball pushed forward by Adebayor
47' Corner kick Philippe Senderos Ball towards the middle, Senderos on the second post, but Kalac saves
46' Generic Event The second half of Milan-Arsenal just started

[timothy]

IT'S OVER: MILAN-ARSENAL 0-2

MILAN - At San Siro Milan-Arsenal ended 0-2. For the 'Gunners' goals of Fabregas in the 84th and Adebayor in the 92nd. Arsenal qualifies for the quarter finals of the Champions League 2007/08.

[timothy]

GOODBYE, EUROPE

Milan does not go through and waves goodbye to the Champions League. After six magnificent years, the Rossoneri wave good bye to the great competition, six years in which they have always been at the highest levels, winning it twice.

MILAN – Arsenal goes through to the quarter finals of the Champions League. Milan leaves the competition after trying to beat a very good opponent. The game presented itself in the best way, with the support of an entire stadium: full with the fans chanting one song after another to support the team, already from the first minute. Carlo Ancelotti fields a formation similar to the one of the best occasions, with Seedorf and with Pato from the first minute next to Inzaghi. The return of Alessandro Nesta has given a further confidence boost in the defensive department; next to him Kaladze, on the sides Oddo and Maldini. In the middle of the pitch a wonderful Gattuso, Pirlo and Ambrosini. Kaka also makes a return, maybe not in perfect conditions, but without too much space to move around with the ball.

In the first half Milan started out well. The first twenty minutes see the Rossoneri’s team attack, move the ball around, try solutions forward and even some shots on goal. Few, to be honest (only that of Kaka and Pato, with a light touch which did not surprise Almunia), but the rhythm was there. In the second part of the first half, the visitors took the measures and started to produce game. Also in this case, not many chances followed, but what made the difference was the ball circulation, the speed of movement and the same movement without the ball, which offered various solutions to the player with the ball. For the entire first half the attackers had a lot of difficult to have ball possession and therefore it was difficult for them to participate in the attacks. The first 45 minutes, overall, have been equal and the 0-0 was fair.

The second half proved decisive, especially in the final moments of the game. The tiredness, with the passing of the minutes, was felt and therefore the game felt it too. At times a bit slow and with various errors. Filippo Inzaghi tried to run all over the forward line, and tried to remain on the offside line, but was then exhausted and substituted by Gilardino. Also for the number 11, things did not go particularly well, but always tied to the problem of the ball circulation. For Kaka the spaces reduced further and consequently also the difficulties of Milan. In the moment in which the moves were alternating from one side to the other, in which the attacks were from one side to another, the Arsenal goal arrived. Minute number 84: ball lost in midfield, Fabregas steals it, finds space in the middle, raises his head, shoots…and the ball ends behind Kalac (decisive in various occasions). 8 minutes later and Milan pushes in the opponent’s end, but with a counter attack, the second goal of Arsenal arrives with Adebayor who scores from zero centimetres away following an assist by Walcott.

The Rossoneri’s adventure in Europe ends here. Now the anger and strength must be used in the league. Only through the Italian competition we can find the most important and fascinating one. Therefore, come on lads and thanks for what you have done in these six years.

[timothy]

THANKS ANYWAY

Adriano Galliani and Carlo Ancelotti wanted to thank the fans for their support and for their final salute. Now we must aim for the fourth place, to return as soon as possible to the competition which is closest to Milan.

GALLIANI

“We have done what no one has done. In 6 years we have reached important results. Evidently destiny wants that our finals are played in odd number years: after 2003, 2005, 2007, and…2009! Arsenal found the goal in our best moment. Just before, Pato had shot well and the ball was deflected. A corner was not awarded to us and on the following action they scored. This is football. I must say that as always president Berlusconi is always the greatest, considering that he was the first og increasing the morale to all of us. Now we must think exclusively to the next 12 league games to find back what is our natural environment: the Champions League. Even though we exit Europe, we shall continue to hold on to the top spot in the European ranking and we shall move forward with this group. There will surely be new purchases, but the coach will remain. Let’s remember that the season is still positive, because in 2007/08 we won the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Another important thing is that at Milan we live with sentiments and friendship. We shall return to live wonderful evenings.”

ANCELOTTI

“We did the best we could. They were good to press, to remove the spaces and to play in the tight spaces. We encountered difficulties because they were diligent from the tactical level. It happens to be eliminated early, but that makes us feel sorry because it never happened before. Reaching the fourth place we are convinced that we can say that it was a good season. Now, as paradox, we shall have more time to be better physically. Tonight, amongst others, Nesta was back. At first he felt some pain, but then he was ok until then ed. However they all gave their best in the middle of a 1000 difficulties. I must say that they found the goal where in another moment of the game they would have not scored. My rapport with the club is very clear: I have no intention of changing and it’s the same for them. I don’t stay because there exists a contract, but because there is a program, there’s an objective to reach together. Finally I thank the fans for the way they behaved at the end of the game. It is not a behaviour which is seen very often in Italy and for this reason they deserve compliments. They know more than anyone else what we did in these six years. I thank them from my heart.”

[timothy]

LET’S GET BACK UP

“This team has a great experience and will surely find the strength to get back up and reach the fourth place in the league.”

- THE DECLARATIONS OF THE ROSSONERI -

MILAN – These are the declarations of the Rossoneri at the end of Milan-Arsenal 0-2:

ALBERTO GILARDINO:

"Personally I had two very intensive days due to the birth of my daughter, Ginevra, two days full of emotions and I’m sorry for this evening because it would have been the perfect completion. From our part there were all the intentions to reach the next round. We were succeeding and in the second half we tried even more, then came Fabregas’ goal which stopped us completely. It arrived in the less opportune moment, when we were pushing with Kaka and Pato. This elimination surely does not cancel all that we have done in the Champions League, and now we shall re-start already from Sunday against Empoli, with twelve league games, just like we told each other in the dressing room, will be for us like twelve finals because we don’t want to miss this competition next year. There’s a lot of anger, disappointment. Galliani in the dressing room thanks us all especially for all that this group has done in 2007 and even he told us that fundamental games await us which we must prepare in the best way.”

CLARENCE SEEDORF:

“Tonight Milan gave everything, I saw my team-mates play very well and we also held the pitch. We were hoping to hit them towards the end just like they did to us. Surely this is a great disappointment, but now we must be good enough to recover the strengths for a final effort and finish in fourth place in the league. I did not see that they put us too much in difficulty. Milan started out strong and we were forced to face Arsenal in a moment in which we were not too brilliant. I wish them the best and let’s hope that they can win the competition. In the dressing room Galliani used encouragement words both for the team and the coach and we must be very objective because a defeat can happen and not for nothing Arsenal are first in their league. Milan gave everything, more than that we could not do. Now twelve very important games await us for the fourth place.”

KAKHA KALADZE:

“We have lost against a great team, Arsenal played a great game both here at San Siro and in London. They deserved to go through. Unfortunately you cannot always win, now we must work a lot. Adebayor has proven to be a great player who managed to hold the team ahead. They are placed well on the pitch. Milan must now think to arrive in fourth place, we have more days to rest and remain calm to prepare better the league games and find the right path for the fourth place. We had a marvellous 2007, we have won everything.”

KAKA':

“For me it was the first time that I exited the Champions League at San Siro. However these are important moments which help you to grow and I must also thank the fans who were close to use until the end. Arsenal deserved this qualification, they played very well and they were more dangerous than us. This team has a great experience and will surely find the strength to get back up and win the fourth place in the league.”

ODDO:

"My performance doesn’t mean much, even though it was good. We did not play like Milan. We are sorry for the fans and also for us. Arsenal were really good. Now we can understand the merits we had last year, when we were very good and also lucky. In this season we made a bit too many mistakes… and today we as well because we were eliminated. Now let’s think about the league, which we need to get back in Europe. The fans will be sorry and we as much as them, but I hope they remain close to us. It can happen to exit a competition, after many years of success, but there is surely the will to return. At Empoli it will not be easy, also because this defeat will be felt from the psychological level.”

[timothy]

MILAN REMEMBERS ALFREDO LOMBARDI

MILAN - Yesterday Alfredo Lombardi left us. He was one of our directors and he was also a great Rossoneri's heart. The entire club and its directors, with infinite gratitude towards the family in the pain for the departure of a great collaborator and a great friend who he has always been, in the memory of Milan, Alfredo Lombardi.

[timothy]

TODAY AT MILANELLO: THE CLUB THANKS THE TEAM

MILAN - This morning Adriano Galliani, general manager of Milan, accompanied by Ariedo Braida and Leonardo, spoke to the team in the dressing room of the Rossoneri's sports centre of Milanello.

[timothy]

A.C. MILAN'S OFFICIAL NOTE

Inelegant declarations. Still, many congratulations. Here is the translated text of A.C. Milan's official note:
The declarations made by Massimo Moratti at the Teatro Smeraldo in Milan are certainly not elegant and denounce a very short memory with the claim that Inter were never involved with sporting justice and also a considerable lack of precision regarding Inter's allocation.
Despite the comprehensible affection which Massimo Moratti has for his team, it seems very exaggerated to say that they "have always been considered the prestigious team of Milan", when the other team has won much more both in Italy and internationally.
It's ironic that these words were said on the day that A.C. Milan, the other team in question, when the Golden Collar award from CONI, the highest sporting honor given to clubs which have honored the history of Italian sports.
In any case, many congratulations to our Nerazzurri cousins and to Inter for their 100th birthday.

[timothy]

THE CALLED-UP PLAYERS FOR EMPOLI

MILANELLO - At the end of the training session, Carlo Ancelotti announced the list of called-up players for the away game at Empoli:

GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi
DEFENDERS: Bonera, Digao, Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Oddo, Simic
MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo
ATTACKERS: Aubameyang, Gilardino, Pato, Palosch

[timothy]

FIFA ON EXPERIMENTS

MILAN - Fifa have suspended for an undetermined time the experimentation of technologies to avoid 'phantom goals'. The International Football Association Board (Ifab) does allow two additional linesmen, placed behind the goals. The project of the 'intelligent' ball with a microchip, which was tried out during the Club World Cup won by Milan, and the 'instant replay' have been postponed.

[timothy]

45'+1' Generic Event The first half is over: Empoli-Milan 1-1
45' Action Luca Saudati Saudati heads Buscé's right-wing cross just past the post
45' Generic Event 1 minute of stoppage time
44' Generic Event Kaká comes back in
43' Generic Event Problem to his shoulder for Kaká, Ricky is on the sidelines and is getting massaged by the medical staff
40' Action Ignazio Abate Right footed shot from distance, the ball goes over the bar
37' Action Luca Saudati Hits a curling right footed shot, the ball goes just to the right of Kalac's goal
37' Action Giuseppe Favalli Clears away a pass by Marchisio
35' Yellow card Francesco Pratali For a foul on Pato
34' Action Francesco Pratali Hits it poorly in front of an empty net on a left wing cross by Giovinco
32' Action Ignazio Abate Ball in the middle from the left, but the Empoli player hits it poorly and the ball goes out
29' Action Pato Hits a free kick from the edge of the area, bu the ball hits the wall
26' Off side Alberto Gilardino On Oddo's forward cross he's caught offside
25' Generic Event Farina expels Malesani for protesting against the fourth assisant about the move that led to the Tuscan side's goal
23' Action Alberto Gilardino Kaká finds Gila in front of Bassi from the right, but the striker can't control it
23' Goal Antonio Buscè Empoli find the equaliser: Antonini sends in a cross from the left, Kalac misses it, Buscé comes in from the right and scores
19' Goal Pato Cross from the right by Oddo, Bassi misses the ball and Pato takes advantage after the ball came off Gilardino's back, Milan in front!!!!!!
18' Action Pato One-two between Pato and Kaká, Pato's shot is saved by Bassi
16' Action Antonio Buscè Good solo run on the right, sends the ball in, Kalac comes out easily and grabs it
14' Injury Antonio Buscè Goes to the ground after a clash with Favalli, hurting his back, but he's able to continue
12' Action Giuseppe Favalli Touch forward for Kaká, Raggi heads it away
12' Action Luca Antonini Cross from the left for Abate, who doesn't get to the ball, it's a goal kick for Kalac
10' Action Yoann Gourcuff Cross from the left, the ball goes out
9' Action Giuseppe Favalli Good clearence on Antonini on the left
7' Action Ignazio Abate Tries a shot from distance, it's weak and Kalac grabs it
5' Action Massimo Ambrosini Rough tackle on Giovinco in the area, but the referee waves play on
1' Generic Event Referee Farina has whistled for the start of Empoli-Milan.
1' Action Andrea Pirlo Hits the free kick, the ball goes in but it doesn't find any team mate, it's a goal kick for Bassi
1' Action Kaká Free kick for the rossoneri as Kaká is fouled on the edge of the area

[timothy]

90'+3' Generic Event It's over: Milan beat Empoli 3-1!
90' Generic Event 3 minutes of stoppage time
89' Goal Kaká Pato finds Paloschi on the right, Alberto passes it back to Kaká who fires a low shot from the edge of the area and makes it 3-1
87' Action Kaká Individual move by the Brazilian who goes all the way up the pitch with the ball at his feet, then tries a shot from the edge of the area, the Empoli defence blocks it
86' Goal Massimo Ambrosini Cross from the left by Kaká, Ambro heads it and bring Milan in front
85' Off side Massimo Ambrosini
82' Action Andrea Pirlo Tries a right footed shot, it goes high
79' Action Pato Great individual move by Pato, his left footed curling shot goes just wide of the goal
78' Substitution Alberto Gilardino
Alberto Paloschi
74' Action Luca Antonini Finds Buscé on the right, but the Empoli captain can't get to it, so Milan have a throw in
72' Action Francesco Marianini Right footed shot from outside the area hits the outside of the net
70' Off side Claudio Marchisio
68' Yellow card Giuseppe Favalli
68' Action Paolo Maldini Heads away a free kick by Buscé from the edge of the area
66' Corner kick Antonio Buscè Ball in the middle, but no one gets to it
64' Action Pato Nice interplay between Pato and Gilardino, then the Brazilian gets fouled by Piccolo, but Farina doesn't see it
63' Substitution Andrea Raggi
Vittorio Tosto
62' Yellow card Luca Saudati For a foul on Pirlo
60' Action Cristian Brocchi On Pirlo's backward pass he tries a long distance shot, Marianini blocks it
58' Action Pato Tries a right footed shot from distance, which goes high
57' Substitution Sebastian Giovinco
Guillermo Gonzalo Suarez Giacomazzi
56' Action Claudio Marchisio Right footed shot from distance hits Kalac's left post
51' Substitution Ignazio Abate
Francesco Marianini
47' Action Pato Cross from the right by Bonera, the Brazilian tries a header, Bassi saves it
46' Substitution Massimo Oddo
Daniele Bonera
46' Substitution Yoann Gourcuff
Cristian Brocchi
46' Generic Event The second half of Empoli-Milan has started

[timothy]

IT'S OVER: EMPOLI-MILAN 1-3!!!

EMPOLI - After finishing the first half on a 1-1 score, Milan find a very important victory near the end of the match at Empoli. In the 41st minute of the second half, Ambrosini gave his team the lead with a header and three minutes later Kaká sealed the result with the third goal on a shot from the edge of the area. In the first half, the goals came from Pato in the 19th minute and Buscé in the 23rd.

[timothy]

THE RUN-UP HAS BEGUN

The Rossoneri were enthusiastic after the victory at the Castellani stadium: "The run-up has started, we had twelve finals ahead, now we only have eleven."

- THE DECLARATIONS OF THE ROSSONERI -

EMPOLI - Here are the declarations of the rossoneri after Empoli-Milan 1-3:

ALBERTO PALOSCHI:

"Today the important thing was to win and and fortunately we obtained three very important points to reach the fourth place. Also when we left the pitch we were told that Fiorentina had lost at Siena and we celebrated because now we are just one point below them. We have to keep our objective in sight and go and get it. Before coming on the pitch the coach told me to put pressure on the central defenders, which is what I did."

KAKHA KALADZE:

"We are happy with the result, because it was crucial to win after the match against Arsenal. We didn't play very well, they were in better shape physically, then they decreased a little in the second half. In matches like this one we have to stay calm and try to attack more. From now on every game is like a Champions League game for us in order to reach the fourth place in the league. Fiorentina lost today, certainly it's a result that pleases us, they're a good team, and now it's up to Milan to go on like this the next eleven games."

PAOLO MALDINI:

"Personally I feel good. The important thing was to come to Empoli and leave the Castellani stadium with three important points. It was difficult for us both physically and mentally to get back into the league again after Tuesday's match with Arsenal. When we came on the pitch for the pre-match warm up session we realised that the biggest challenge would be to regain confidence in ourselves. I'm also happy because in this last part of my career I am receiving many compliments also from my opponents."

KAKA':

"The goal I scored was important both for the team and for me personally because it had been a while since I had scored. Being decisive, whether with a goal or an assist as I was for the second goal, is very important to me. We conceded a goal at the end of the first half, but the strength of this team is the ability to rise up again on every occasion and today we managed to win and get three very important points for our position in the league. The run-up has started, we had twelve finals to play, now we have only eleven because one has already been won."