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EMPOLI: GIACOMAZZI ON MILAN

EMPOLI - Giacomazzi, midfielder of Empoli, talked about the match against Milan: "Tomorrow we will face one of the strongest teams in the league, the Rossoneri have great champions in all departments. We'll have to play a perfect match, trying to make less mistakes than them. Unfortunately though, when you play against such a high-level opponent, all that might not be enough."

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AN IMPORTANT WEEK

Empoli, Shakhtar and Roma, but now it’s only Empoli. This was said by Carlo Ancelotti who officially announced that Dida will start from the first minute and confirmed that Gilardino and Inzaghi will probably play from the start.

MILANELLO – These are the declarations of our coach, at the press conference at Milanello, on the eve of Milan-Empoli. The first topic is about his degree ‘honoris causa’: “I hope to honour it in time, with an appropriate announcement and trying to make something positive for the sport. It’s a motivation to improve further. The University of Plovdiv is very important in Bulgaria and it has 15,000 students. The subject I will discuss in Bulgaria is quite reserved, even though I think that I will talk about the role of the coach.”

Then on Empoli: “It’s a team which has added many young interesting players, Giovinco above all, even though having so many young players in Serie A at the same time is not easy. However, they beat Palermo and are improving. I spoke with Cagni and he told me that it will be tough, but I knew. Last year Empoli was strong for its dynamism and it still is today, with Abate and Giovinco it kept the same characteristics. Our week? It will be very important because at home we did not do things well, we have interpreted better the games away from home We must return to playing well even at home and win. The next three games will be very indicative for our future. The game against Empoli is the most important because it’s an opportunity to unblock ourselves. Ronaldo? He will soon return with the team, as he has almost completed the physical work. I think that next week he can work with us. Dida? I don’t know, we appealed and we expect something, we’re waiting. However, Dida has worked well, just like Kalac, but tomorrow Dida will play.”

The other topics, first of all Drogba: “It’s an issue which we must not pull out now. We must evaluate the season and at the end of the season we shall see what will be necessary. Drogba is one of the best attackers in the world. Our squad for the next 17 games before Christmas? For example against Empoli, Kaka will not play the entire game. I hope that he doesn’t play even one minute, but for the rest we are coming from a week without wasting energy. The Azzurri came back early, Simic came back on Tuesday, we have recovered Maldini, Serginho and Kaladze. In this sense everything went very well. Also the fact of being able to count again on our captain, for the team this is very important: however from now till Christmas, in this cycle of games, there will also be space for those who did not play much. Let’s also take into consideration the Scotland-Italy game, where there will be a lot of physical and psychological fatigue for our players, something which we’re also happy about.”


Other topic: "Gourcuff? The problem is just one. Right now he has in front of him the best midfielders in the world. He would play in any other Italian team, but having the best ahead of him penalizes him a bit. This must not be a reason for discomfort, it must be a motivation for a player like him. He has the characteristics, the technical qualities, to play behind the strikers, even though he does not have the sprint for that role. He played well for a half at Siena in this position. Tomorrow? Two strikers? I think so. I have some doubts on the central defenders, but Kaladze is fine. I don’t think about Shakhtar and Roma, in the meantime let’s think about Empoli. Gilardino? From the national team he returned determined; Gilardino changed. He changed, he’s more serene and determined, and the wind changed around him.”

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CAGNI: "We have to react"

MILAN - "We'll need a perfect match. The less errors we make, the more possibilities we have to come out of San Siro with a positive result." Gigi Cagni summed up tomorrow's match between his Empoli and European Champions Milan like that. "Fortunately we had the break in the league - Cagni continued - which allowed us to recover our best condition and find our rhythm back during training, after many consecutive matches in a short amount of time. Now we have to react with a great performance at San Siro."

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Secret of Milan's success

If AC Milan could be put under the microscope one thing for certain would be discovered – European success is in the Rossoneri's DNA. Even when they struggle in Serie A, the standard they set on the European stage never seems to drop. Milan have won just one Scudetto in the past five years, but their two UEFA Champions League triumphs and three final appearances eclipses their rivals at home and abroad.

'Tradition and history'
"The tradition and history of this club always pushes you to be more determined and focused in European competitions," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti in one of a series of uefa.com interviews with the key figures behind Milan's success in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Last season Milan finished fourth in Serie A, 36 points behind champions FC Internazionale Milano. In Europe the story was completely different. The Rossoneri produced some exhilarating football to defeat the likes of FC Bayern München, Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC to win the European Cup for the seventh time.

Berlusconi influence
Filippo Galli lifted the trophy three times with the Rossoneri and is now coach of Milan's Primavera youth side. He credits club president Silvio Berlusconi for instilling the winning mentality. "When he arrived [in 1986] he immediately said Milan's target was to reach the top of European and world football. It doesn't mean we take the Italian league less seriously, but there is no doubt that for reasons of prestige Milan always targets European and international trophies more than domestic ones."

'Like a family'
Loyalty and a unique management structure are further secrets behind the Rossoneri's success. Most Milan players are happy to spend their entire careers with the club – take Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta for example. Many continue to work for Milan at the end of their playing careers. "I believe the key to this club is the management system chosen by president Berlusconi," said Ancelotti, one of the five men to win the UEFA Champions League both as a player and coach during his time with the Rossoneri. "This club is like a family. Relationships grow stronger year after year like they do within a real family."

Loyalty
"The board undoubtedly pays great attention to players who represented this club," Galli adds. "The club helps former players and doesn't want to lose their technical and personal input. The club gave several of us the chance to stay within the group. I believe it's unusual but it is something which other clubs are now following. Milan have set off down an important path and it has brought great results. Let's hope it continues like this in the future."

'Connection'
Continuity is key. Under Arrigo Sacchi – Berlusconi's first coach – Fabio Capello and now Ancelotti the philosophy of the team has never changed. "There are many similarities between the Milan sides of the past 20 years," Maldini explains. "There is a connection, certain constant factors. Sacchi's Milan started everything. Both Capello and Ancelotti changed the team according to their needs and their tactical beliefs and according to the players they had. But I believe it was Sacchi who formed the blueprint."

'Taste for victory'
Through bitter losses, such as the 2005 final against Liverpool, the Rossoneri have grown stronger. "Defeats have helped us stay hungry and have given us a real taste for victory because we understand how bad it feels to lose," explained former defender Costacurta who now works as Ancelotti's assistant. "Winning five European Cups makes me feel proud. It's a great feeling, also because we reached the final on other occasions. It means we have done well over the years. I was lucky enough to be part of this great team."

Inzaghi delight
The recipe for success is clear: European DNA, family ties, continuity, and of course, goals when you need them most. Step forward Filippo Inzaghi, Milan's two-goal hero in May. "That match will always stay in my heart," Inzaghi said. "Winning the Champions League and being lucky enough to score is extraordinary." No team has won the European Cup more times than Milan, but there is one thing not even the Rossoneri have managed to achieve – a successful defence of the UEFA Champions League title. "There's always hope, we're a very competitive side but in Europe there are many other strong teams," Inzaghi says. "You have to be stronger than them and you also need a bit of luck." Fair comment, though when you look back at the history of Milan's European success, luck seems to have little to do with it.

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MILAN-EMPOLI: MILAN'S CALLED UP PLAYERS

MILAN - Here are the 18 players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for Milan-Empoli: GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac; DEFENDERS: Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo; MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Emerson, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf; STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi.

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THEY ARE ALREADY PART OF HISTORY

Adriano Galliani rewards Kaká for his 200 official matches with Milan: "We will do the same for his 300th and 400th match." A medal also for Gilardino (100 matches): "His future at Milan is assured".

MILANELLO - Yesterday Milan rewarded Ricky Kaká and Alberto Gilardino with celebratory medal. Behind the Milanello gym, Adriano Galliani called the two champions and wanted to pay tribute to them. Here is the motivation of the Milan vice-president, given to Milan Channel's TV cameras, for the award to the Brazilian champion, who made his 200th official appearence for Milan on 30 September during Milan-Catania:
"Having only arrived in the summer of 2003, he has already played many matches. Ricky made his debut at Ancona in the league because he was not in the list for the European Supercup final which we won in Montecarlo against Porto. Today everyone knows him and heaps praise on him, I have nothing to add. But I will remember one thing about Kaká all my life: during my 20-year period as administrator of Milan, the only time a coach called me after the first training by a new player, it was Carlo Ancelotti regarding Kaká. After his first training, he told us, you've bought a phenomenon. I think Ancelotti's thoughts haven't changed in these four years. Kaká has four years left on his contract, this one, and three more. So I'm sure we will be awarding him also for his 300th and 400th appearence with Milan. By now he goes to Maracaná, scores two goals in front of a sell-out crowd in Rio with all the fans applauding him, despite the fact that he is from San Paolo. I get emotional imagining these things, let alone him."

Ricky Kaká's answer: "This medal is for my 200 matches with Milan. These 200 matches changed many things for me, they gave me joy and satisfaction. This is a special moment. The Maracaná? The first goal was nice, but I didn't even notice it when I scored the second, I didn't hit the ball well and only realised I had scored when I turned around and Ronaldinho came to cheer me with all the others. Then I saw the goal well again on TV. Anyway, I have to thank everyone for these 200 matches. Football is a group sport and my thanks go to all my team mates, the whole staff and Carlo. He did very well with me because when I arrived I was just a kid and now, after four years in the Italian league, I realise how hard it is to keep a young player like me in the starting eleven of Milan."

Milan also rewarded Alberto Gilardino, again through Adriano Galliani, for his 100th appearence with the club, also during Milan-Catania: "Alberto came to us in the summer of 2005, making his debut in the swimming pool of Ascoli, one of the things that made me most angry about that season, in a match that finished 1-1. He played 100 fine games with a good goalscoring total, which recently was raised to 37 goals. That's not nothing. He has a sure future with Milan and his journey with us is only at the beginning. But now he has to promise us something, not just to me but to Milan's fans: he has to score more in his next 100 matches, more than 37 goals. I wish Alberto all the best of luck."

Alberto Gilardino's answer: "It's a very nice promise and one I will make to our fans. One hundred appearences for Milan are significative. This is a club that believed in me, and every time I go on the pitch I try to repay that trust by giving all I have. It's the third year I am here and I'm proud of that. Now we have a season filled with games, in very important competitions and we want to compete on all fronts."

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MILAN-EMPOLI: THE OFFICIAL FORMATIONS

MILAN: Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Inzaghi, Gilardino.
EMPOLI: Balli; Raggi, Vanigli, Piccolo, Marianini; Buscè, Marchisio, Moro, Antonini; Pozzi, Suadati.

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45' Action Clarence Seedorf Tries a low shot, but the ball is weak and goes to the left of Balli's goal
45' Generic Event Giannoccaro whistles for the end of the first half.
44' Action Davide Moro Another mistake by the Tuscan striker who sends a long-distance shot wastefully wide
42' Corner kick Clarence Seedorf Sends the ball in, Maldini heads it, but Empoli clear it again
41' Action Filippo Inzaghi Fails to control a ball given to him by Pirlo in front of Balli, and the chance is lost
40' Action Clarence Seedorf Long pass for Inzaghi on the right, Pippo tries to control the ball but Piccolo disturbs him and the ball goes out
39' Action Alessandro Nesta Tries to find a team mate up front, Piccolo clears the ball away
38' Action Massimo Ambrosini Good counterattack by Milan as Ambrosini tries to find Gilardino, but the ball is deflected out by Empoli
36' Action Massimo Oddo Sends in a cross from the right, Balli grabs it
34' Action Antonio Buscè Tries a shot with the outside of his foot from inside the area, it goes wide
33' Action Andrea Pirlo Tries to find Seedorf on the left with a long pass, Empoli clear it
31' Yellow card Richard Vanigli For a foul on Inzaghi
30' Action Claudio Marchisio Hits a free kick from midfield, the Milan defence get the ball and try to send it forward to Inzaghi
28' Action Antonio Buscè Nice individual move by the Empoli player, who tries a right-footed shot from outside the area, the ball goes to the right of the goal
23' Action Luca Saudati Tries a header, but it's too weak and goes out.
22' Action Clarence Seedorf Clarence tries to find Inzaghi with a silky pass, Raggi intercepts it
21' Action Marek Jankulovski Finds Inzaghi, Pippo sends it back inside the area, Jankulovski tries a shot but it goes high
17' Off side Filippo Inzaghi He's found by Pirlo, his shot is saved by ballli, Seedorf tries to serve his team mates but there are several Rossoneri players offside
15' Action Davide Moro He's found by Antonini inside the area, but his shot goes high over the crossbar
13' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo He sends the ball into the area, Balli punches it away, it comes to Pirlo again, but his shot is not very precise
12' Action Alberto Gilardino Tries to find Inzaghi in front of Balli, the ball goes out for a corner
10' Action Massimo Oddo Seedorf is found on the left wing with a long pass, Raggi fouls him and Clarence wins a free kick. He sends the ball in, but the Empoli defence clear
9' Off side Filippo Inzaghi
8' Action Francesco Marianini Tries to finalise a counterattack, but doesn't manage to shoot
8' Action Clarence Seedorf Tries a shot from distance, the Empoli defence deflects the ball and it's saved by Balli
7' Action Massimo Ambrosini Hits a free kick from midfield, the Tuscan defence intercepts it
5' Action Luca Antonini Sends the ball in, no danger for the rossoneri
3' Action Massimo Oddo Oddo sends in a cross from the right wing, Balli gets to it
2' Action Paolo Maldini Cross from the left for Inzaghi who fails to control the ball well, Milan immediately dangerous
1' Generic Event Referee Giannoccaro has whistled for the start of Milan-Empoli
Prematch The teams have entered the pitch

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90'+5' Corner kick Alberto Gilardino He's found by Ambrosini but is caught offside
90'+5' Generic Event Giannoccaro whistles for the end of the match
90'+4' Corner kick Alberto Gilardino Oddo sends it in from the corner, Alberto tries a header, but it's weak and through the middle
90'+3' Action Massimo Oddo Crosses it in, Tosto clears
90'+2' Action Clarence Seedorf Fails to control Pirlo's overlong cross
90' Generic Event Giannoccaro gives 5 minutes of injury time
89' Action Massimo Oddo Long pass from the right, Gourcuff heads it
88' Generic Event Empoli are left with ten men
86' Injury Richard Vanigli Leaves the pitch on a stretcher after a tussle with Ambrosini
84' Off side Clarence Seedorf On the pass by Brocchi
83' Action Andrea Pirlo Free kick from the edge of the area. It's through the middle and Balli grabs it
82' Action Andrea Pirlo Tries to cross it in from the right, Piccolo clears it
78' Substitution Luca Saudati
Sebastian Giovinco
78' Action Andrea Pirlo Hits a free kick from outside the area, Gilardino deflects it, but it goes high
76' Action Andrea Pirlo Takes a free kick from outside the area, the ball is headed on by Ambrosini, but the Empoli defence clears it again
73' Action Massimo Ambrosini Tries a shot in front of Balli after a pass by Brocchi, but he slips
71' Action Dida No problems on a weak shot by Buscé
69' Action Massimo Oddo He dribbles his way to the center and tries to find a team mate, the Empoli defence clear the ball
68' Action Clarence Seedorf Clarence plays the ball in for Ambrosini, but again he can't control it
67' Substitution Paolo Maldini
Kakha Kaladze
66' Action Yoann Gourcuff Flicks the ball in for Ambrosini, Massimo fails to control it properly
65' Substitution Gennaro Ivan Gattuso
Cristian Brocchi
65' Substitution Filippo Inzaghi
Yoann Gourcuff
64' Action Alberto Gilardino Tries a shot, it goes on the outside of the net
64' Substitution Luca Antonini
Vittorio Tosto
63' Injury Luca Antonini He's taken off on a stretcher, leaving Empoli momentarily with ten men
62' Action Dida Great save by the Brazilian on a powerful right-footed shot by Saudati from distance
60' Action Paolo Maldini Heads away a cross from the right by Antonini, as Milan try to make their away forward again
58' Action Paolo Maldini Oddo sends in a left-footed pass, Raggi intercepts the ball
56' Substitution Nicola Pozzi
Guillermo Gonzalo Suarez Giacomazzi
55' Goal Luca Saudati Heads in a ball on a cross from the right by Marianini, Dida doesn't get to it
54' Corner kick Massimo Oddo Sends in the corner kick, but none of the Rossoneri get to the ball
51' Action Clarence Seedorf Great chance for Clarence who finds himself in front of Balli and shoots, but the goalkeeper saves it with his feet
50' Action Andrea Pirlo Good long-distance effort by Andrea, Balli gets to the ball
49' Action Luca Saudati Moro sends the ball forward to Saudati, who hits the ball weakly as he thought he was offside, it goes just wide
48' Action Massimo Oddo Cross from the right for Inzaghi, but Pippo again fails to control it well inside the area
47' Off side Filippo Inzaghi On a pass by Seedorf
46' Generic Event The second half of Milan-Empoli has begun.

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MILAN-EMPOLI FINISHES 0-1

The match between Milan and Empoli finishes with the victory of the Tuscan side. Saudati's goal in the 55th minute was decisive.

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WELL DONE TO THE FERRARI!

MILAN - Milan compliments Ferrari: the European Champions applaud proudly Ferrari, for winning the World Championship, after finishing first and second in the Brazil GP. Ferrari won its umpteenth title, confirming itself as the best. The Rossoneri's club will try to emulate in Japan the feat of the Cavallino.

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MILANELLO: SQUAD ALREADY AT WORK

MILANELLO - The day after the defeat against Empoli, Milan has already returned to work at Milanello. The Rossoneri's squad met at 10.30 in the dressing room, and half an hour later, at 11am, the session started.

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DIDA: ONE MATCH SUSPENSION REDUCED

MILAN - uefa has partially accepted the appeal of Milan, reducing Nelson Dida's suspension from two to one match, following the episode at Glasgow. The Rossoneri's goalkeeper will therefore not be available for Wednesday evening's game at San Siro, but he will be available for the fourth matchday for Shakhtar-Milan, in program at Donetsk on the 6th of November.

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CANTAMESSA: "It was an agreement between the parties"

MILAN - These are the declarations of Lawyer Leandro Cantamessa on the reduced suspension of Nelson Dida from the Appeal Body of the Uefa: "The decision was reached, following the discussion, on the base of an agreement between the parties involved. I have nother comments to make."

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MILAN-SHAKHTAR: MEDINA CANTALEJO TO REF

MILAN - It will be the Spanish Luis Medina Cantalejo to ref the Milan-Shakhtar Donetsk game, in program on Wednesday at San Siro. His assistants will be Carrasco Giraldez and Gallardo Artero. The fourth official will be Dominguez Ramirez.