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ARSENAL: HARD CONFRONTATIONS

MILAN - The English Football Association will examine the TV images of the clash between Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner. The two Arsenal strikers were involved in a tough confrontation during the Carling Cup match which the Gunners lost 5-1 against Tottenham: Bendtner was hurt to his nose. Bendtner and Gallas were also involved in another episode: the cameras picked out a bitter face to face confrontation.

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ATALANTA-MILAN: THE FORMATIONS

BERGAMO - Here are the official formations of Milan and Atalanta:
MILAN: Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato, Gilardino
ATALANTA: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, Guarente, Langella; Doni; Floccari

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45' Generic Event Donderini whistles the end of the first half
44' Action Clarence Seedorf From the left hand side he tried to cross towards the middle for his team-mates, but Carrozzieri cleared
42' Goal Antonio Langella Shot with his right foot past Kalac
39' Yellow card Andrea Pirlo
38' Yellow card Moris Carrozzieri
36' Action Kaká Tries to send Gilardino through, but the ball goes out
34' Action Kakha Kaladze Good intervention by Kaladze who cleared a cross from the right hand side by Ferreira Pinto
33' Action Pato Following a mistake by Carrozzieri, he does not manage to score the second goal of the night as he shot with his right foot, with the ball going just wide on the right hand side of goal
32' Action Clarence Seedorf Served by Kaka on the edge of the penalty area, crossed from the right hand side, but no team-mate arrives on the ball
30' Action Daniele Bonera Cleared with a header by Floccari his cross from the right hand side
29' Off side Kaká
29' Off side Pato
27' Action Clarence Seedorf Kaka from the left hand side towards the middle, but Clarence does not manage to connect well to head towards goal
26' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Cross towards the middle, Kaladze tries to connect with the ball but the Atalanta defence clears
25' Action Pato A central lob of Pirlo for his team-mate, Pato recovers but Coppola sends the ball in corner
24' Action Gennaro Ivan Gattuso Long ball forward for the team-mates, the ball is recovered by Coppola without problems
23' Action Alberto Gilardino Cross by Kaka from the left hand side, Gilardino tried to head towards goal but the ball went out
21' Action Andrea Pirlo A free-kick from the three-quarters of the pitch as he tried to shoot towards goal, but the ball went just wide on the right hand side of Coppola
18' Action Antonio Langella Free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, but the Rossoneri's barrier deflected the ball
16' Goal Gennaro Ivan Gattuso Following the corner kick, a powerful shot from the rebound
16' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Ball towards the middle, but Coppola punched the ball away
15' Action Pato Kaka opened on the right hand side for Pato, who tried his luck from the right hand side, but Carrozzieri deflects the ball in corner
15' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo The Atalanta defence sent the ball in corner again
13' Off side Clarence Seedorf
12' Off side Antonio Langella
10' Off side Alberto Gilardino
10' Action Clarence Seedorf A long ball forward towards Gilardino, but the ball goes out, with Coppola taking the spot-kick
9' Action Andrea Pirlo A ball forward towards Pato, but the Brazilian is anticipated by Coppola who throws the ball out
8' Action Daniele Bonera Opens on the right hand side for Pato who tries to cross towards the middle, but Bellini stopped the action
6' Action Cristiano Doni Tries a right footer following a pass from the right hand side by Ferreira Pinto, but the ball went high
5' Action Clarence Seedorf Triangle at the edge of the penalty area between Seedorf and Kaka, but the Bergamaschi's defence intercepted and scrambled the ball away
3' Off side Antonio Langella
2' Action Alberto Gilardino Free-kick for Milan in midfielder following an accident clash between Gilardino and Ferreira Pinto
1' Generic Event The referee has authorized the start of the game.

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90'+4' Generic Event The referee whistles the end of Atalanta-Milan 2-1
90'+4' Off side Kaká
90'+3' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo The ball is punched away by Coppola
90'+3' Action Clarence Seedorf Right-footer from the distance deflected in corner
90'+2' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Low cross out of the penalty area, Oddo shot with his right foot, but the ball goes high
90' Yellow card Giuseppe Favalli
90' Generic Event Dondarini award 4 minutes of injury time
88' Action Andrea Pirlo Cross towards Kaka, but Carrozzieri clears
84' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo
84' Action Kaká Great play by the Brazilian who tried his luck towards the first post, but the ball was deflected in corner
83' Substitution Gennaro Ivan Gattuso
Yoann Gourcuff
82' Yellow card Sergio Floccari
81' Substitution Fernando Damian Tissone
Padoin Simone
79' Off side Sergio Floccari
78' Action Massimo Oddo Cross from the right hand side, but Ferreira Pinto cleared
77' Action Ronaldo Great counter attack by the Brazilian who all alone in front of goal saw his shot saved by Coppola
76' Action Moris Carrozzieri Shot directly towards goal from a free-kick, but the ball went wide
73' Yellow card Alessandro Nesta
72' Off side Fernando Damian Tissone
71' Substitution Daniele Bonera
Massimo Oddo
69' Off side Ronaldo
68' Goal Fernando Damian Tissone A pass from the right hand side, Tissone arrives on the ball and scores
65' Substitution Antonio Langella
Diego De Ascentis
65' Action Guarente Tiberio A left-footer from close range goes high
64' Action Clarence Seedorf Tries a shot with his right foot, but the ball goes high
63' Off side Simone Inzaghi
63' Substitution Pato
Ronaldo
62' Action Andrea Pirlo Through ball looking for Gilardino in the penalty area who falls down obstructed by the Atalanta defenders
61' Off side Andrea Pirlo
60' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Cross towards the middle, but Carrozzieri clears
59' Off side Alberto Gilardino
56' Action Antonio Langella Great counter attack of the Bergamasco player, shot towards goal but the ball went over the goal protected by Kalac
54' Substitution Cristiano Doni
Simone Inzaghi
49' Action Cristiano Doni Langella crosses towards his team-mate who does not reach the ball
48' Action Clarence Seedorf Right-footer by Seedorf from the long distance, but the ball went high over the bar

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IT'S OVER: ATALANTA-MILAN 2-1

BERGAMO - At the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium, the game between Atalanta and Milan ended 2-1. The Nerazzurri's formation scored the winning goal in the 68th minute with Tissone.

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WINNING MENTALITY

"Already from Sunday we will have to play with a winning mentality: go on the pitch to win all the time because now even draws are not enough."

- THE WORDS OF THE ROSSONERI -

BERGAMO - Here are the declarations of the rossoneri after Atalanta-Milan 2-1:

KALAC:

"Unfortunately it did not go well, we still don't really understand the reason for this defeat and what happened. Milan undoubtedly deserved to win. We quickly went ahead, then we had the chance to double the score, but we wasted it and we missed the chance to close the match immediately. Then they scored their first goal. Playing without the crowd is not nice. Tonight we should have won but unfortunately we failed. Fortunately we have many matches ahead, I can't wait because we are making many sacrifices and working well, it's not easy to play every three days. Already from Sunday we will have to play with a winning mentality: go on the pitch to win all the time because now even draws are not enough."

DANIELE BONERA:

"This defeat is too bad, because we started really well, we could have doubled or tripled our lead, but then we made some errors which caused their goals. There's regret because this match started really well for us.
Unfortunately we lost some important points to climb up the table here at Bergamo, but tomorrow we will immediately start preparing for the match on Sunday against Genoa, which fortunately we will play at San Siro with the support of our fans. Tonight, without the fans, it wasn't nice, their absence was strongly felt.
It's not the first time we've lost a game lately, but this team is strong and has always shown it's able to bounce back without problems."

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WE NEED MORE GRIT!

According to coach Carlo Ancelotti, Milan lacked the right determination to close the match. Milan must learn to be more ruthless in front of goal, certain games have to be won at all costs.

BERGAMO - After the defeat to Atalanta, here is what coach Carlo Ancelotti had to say to Milan Channel's microphones:

"There's great disappointment for tonight's match, especially for how it ended up. When games can be won, it has to be done. In the first half we started well, and had some scoring chances, but did not take them. Langella's goal turned the match on its head, they closed themselves down in the second half and had the possibility to punish us in the counterattack. We lacked the balance to react in the second half."

"What's good is that we are doing well, it's a good moment for us, in that sense this defeat should not have come. Now we have to look ahead because there are still many games ahead and we can still recover. Now we must think game after game, but we must learn to be more cynical in certain games."

"The atmosphere tonight? It was terrible, a match without a crowd watching it is not football, but certainly this is not an alibi to justify the way the game went, Atalanta did not have fans supporting them either."

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THE DECISIONS OF THE SPORTS JUDGE FOLLOWING ATALANTA-MILAN

MILAN - The Lega Calcio announced that the Sports Judge did not decide for any suspension following the recovered game of the 12th matchday of Serie A, Atalanta-Milan

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GENOA: FRIENDLY GAME IN THE AFTERNOON

MILAN - Genoa, next opponent of Milan in the league on Sunday at 3pm at San Siro, will play a friendly game this afternoon at 3pm at the Campo Gianluca Signorini against Lavagnese, a team which plays in Serie D.

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MILAN-GENOA: THE DISCIPLINARY SITUATION

MILAN - Before Sunday's game, Milan does not have any suspended players, whereas Genoa will be without Criscito. Five players carry a caution, two of Milan (Ambrosini and Favalli), three of Genoa: Milanetto, Rubinho and Sculli.

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GENOA: ABDOULAY KONKO'S DECLARATIONS

MILAN - These are the declarations of the Genoa defender, Abdoulay Konko, ahead of Sunday's clash against Milan: "We shall meet an improved Milan, who will want to climb up the standings and win the Champions League position. Three consecutive wins have boosted our morale. On Sunday we shall be able to play the game without fear and with the determination to have a good game and offer a tough time to our opponents. The difference in value, luckily, is not reflected automatically on what happens on the pitch. We have nothing to lose in hoping that our opponents have another bad day, even though two in a row is not likely. We would need that everyone goes our way."

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A VERY SPECIAL VISIT

Intense moments today at Milanello. The eternal champion Marco Van Basten, who is still very close to Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani, came to visit the reigning World Champions.

MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by Marco Van Basten to Milan Channel's microphones during his visit today at Milanello as Dutch National team coach:

How much did the experience with Milan help in your job as a coach?
"I had a wonderful period here at Milan during my playing career. I had the chance to work with great champions and great coaches. This experience enriched me a lot and allowed me to share what I learned with other players."

What do you think about Ricardo Kaká?
"Kaká is a complete player, he sacrifices himself a lot for the team and always manages to score good goals. Due to his faith, he is also a very balanced person who does well for himself and the team."

How do you feel about the Brazilian trio, with Pato, that Milan are playing with lately?
"I think Ronaldo is a great player who along with Kaká can do a lot for the good of the team. Personally I have not yet seen Pato on the pitch, but from what I heard about him, he must be a very good player too. This trio can do very well for Milan. This club is doing very well in European competitions because they have players who have great experience and always manage to get great results. In the Italian league it's certainly more difficult to get good results, especially at home, because every retreats to defend."

With Milan's playing system, in what position should Clarence Seedorf play?
"Clarence is a good player who is able to do just about everything: he runs a lot, but he's also technically good with the ball."

What will it be like to face Roberto Donadoni at the next European championship?
"It will certainly be a memorable moment because I know Donadoni very well, we spent many years together at Milan and we had several opportunities to meet off the pitch as well. I think Italy-Holland will be a very interesting match."

What do you like about Carlo Ancelotti as a coach?
"Ancelotti is a coach with great experience, he spent many years here under both Sacchi and Capello. Carlo managed to win the latest Champions League trophy, showing he has great qualities as a coach."

What will you do after the European championship?
"I think I will stop coaching, I will certainly leave the national team and then I don't know yet, but I think I will do other things."

How did you see Milan in the Club World Cup final in Yokohama?
"I only managed to see a part of the game against Boca Juniors and I saw a good Milan side which played a nice match. It's always fun to see the rossoneri colors go on the pitch and also here at Milanello I realise the great value of this club. Twenty years later, I still meet the same people and that symbolizes the nice environment there is at this club. Milan are one of a kind!"

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GENOA ACQUIRE VAN DEN BORRE

MILAN - Genoa's official website have officialised the arrival of midfielder Vanden Borre from Fiorentina. Here are the first words: "Genoa gave me trust and a great chance. I'm an eclectic player who is able to play in more roles, even though I grew as a midfielder. In Italy they play a more tactical style of football than in Belgium, also the physical aspect is taken more care of, not to mention the level of pressure. If the coach is ready, I am ready to go on the pitch immediately."

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GENOA: TODAY'S PROGRAM

MILAN - Genoa, next opponent of Milan on Sunday at 3pm at San Siro, will have a training session behind closed doors. At 2.10pm a press conference of coach Gian Piero Gasperini is scheduled.

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MILAN-GENOA: ROCCHI TO REF

MILAN- It will be Gianlluca Rocchi who will direct Milan-Genoa on Sunday afternoon, the first matchday of the second round. His assistants will be Pugiotta and Cariolato; the fourth official will be Tagliavento.