Marco Borriello Hails ‘Perfect’ Milan After Demolition Of Sampdoria

Dec 6, 2009 10:15:27 AM

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Marco Borriello - Milan-Sampdoria - Serie A (Getty Images)

AC Milan made light work of Sampdoria yesterday as the Diavoli wrapped up an emphatic 3-0 victory inside 23 minutes to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter to four points.

A Marco Borriello headed effort from a pinpoint Ronaldinho cross opened the floodgates just two minutes in and the Neapolitan hitman has revealed the secret behind their rampant display.

“President Silvio Berlusconi made a surprise visit and we played like he wants us to,” Borriello told Sky Sport Italia.

“Boss Leonardo keeps putting faith in me and I owe him everything. We played a perfect game and I get along very well with Ronaldinho, [Alexandre] Pato and [Clarence] Seedorf. We are very happy.”

Next up for Milan is a crucial Champions League clash away to Zurich on Tuesday with the Rossoneri needing a win to book their place in the last 16 of the competition, regardless of the outcome of Olymique Marseille-Real Madrid.

“Yes, that against Zurich will be the most important game of the first part of this season,” concluded Borriello.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani Defuses Gennaro Gattuso’s ‘Hotel’ Row

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Rino Gattuso - Milan (Getty Images)

Milan chief executive officer Adriano Galliani has moved to calm the waters after apparently aiming a sideswipe at want-away midfielder Gennaro Gattuso earlier this week.

Gattuso has threatened to leave the club in January after sliding down the pecking order this season under new boss Leonardo and there are reports the 31-year-old is poised to reject a contract extension to leave the San Siro.

Galliani appeared to issue a stark warning to Gattuso on Friday by saying that “Milan are not a hotel”, but the Rossoneri transfer guru has now insisted he was just being funny.

“I was going into the Lega Calcio headquarters and I was late,” he explained to Sky Sport Italia.

“They asked me about Gattuso and I made a joke that I hoped would be amusing.

“I answered that way because they were asking me when he would be leaving or when he would arrive. And I said ‘this is not a hotel’.

“But nothing has changed. We will meet with Gattuso at the end of the year, before the Christmas break and will come to a decision.”

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

David Beckham Not Afraid Of Missing Out On England's World Cup Squad

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Press conference: David Beckham - England (PA)

David Beckham says that he is not afraid of being left out of the England squad for the 2010 World Cup.

While ageing midfielder admitted that it would be a blow to fall prey to the axe, he insisted that he will respect any decision that manager Fabio Capello makes.

"I do not fear being axed for the World Cup," Beckham told the News of the World.

"If I don't make the squad it's not going to stop me supporting the team. Nothing is guaranteed - I have discovered that is true in my career.

"If I can be part of it then it will be amazing.

"Everybody knows how much I love playing for my country but the manager will always pick a squad he thinks will win the competition. That has to be the way.

"If I am not part of that, of course I'd be upset, but it is something I would still respect.

"It would because the manager felt it was right in terms of his system and having the best players in the team."

The LA Galaxy player admitted that the sting of being dropped from the national team after he stepped down from the captaincy in 2006 still haunts him to this day.

The 34-year-old also added that even his impending loan move to Milan will not guarantee a trip to South Africa.

"It still hurts that I was left out by Steve McClaren after I had resigned from the captaincy - but being picked for next summer is not something I take for granted," Beckham added.

"Even me going to Milan doesn't guarantee anything. It gives me a chance of being in the squad - but it doesn't guarantee it."

Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK

Player Ratings: Milan 3-0 Sampdoria

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Milan celebrates - Getty Images

MILAN

Dida: 6 - Sampdoria managed one shot on target all match - Dida will have few easier nights than tonight.

Antonini: 7 - A good performance - he was involved in the move for the first goal and always looked to give support on the overlap.

Nesta: 6.5 - He had a very comfortable evening at the heart of defence as Sampdoria's attacking threat was almost non-existent.

Thiago Silva: 6.5 - Like Nesta, he had very little to do but coped well with the few threats that the visitors posed.

Zambrotta: 7 - With so little attacking threat from Sampdoria, he was allowed to venture forward often and teamed up well with both Pato and Abate.

Pirlo: 8.5 - Instrumental in Milan's play. Showed wonderful vision in the middle of the pitch, and was not afraid to get stuck in to win the ball back for his side.

Ambrosini: 7 - Sent in a good cross in the move for the third goal and very rarely gave the ball away. Conceded a few too many fouls though, and was lucky not to be cautioned for a challenge on Pazzini.

Seedorf: 7.5 - Took his goal very well. Although he wasted a few more opportunities with some wayward shooting, he was impeccable in possession and always looked to support the front men.

Pato: 7.5 - Effective on either side of Milan's front three and was a threat throughout the match. While his finishing was not at its best, he was alert enough to tuck home the rebound for his goal.

Ronaldinho: 8 - Set up the first two goals with some excellent deliveries, and was clearly enjoying himself on the left until he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure in the 34th minute.

Borriello: 7 - He couldn't miss his chance for the opening goal, but somewhat disappointingly it was his only shot of the game.

Substitutes:

Abate: 7 - His pace was a great threat to Sampdoria, and would have had a couple of assists but for some wayward finishing by the front three.

Huntelaar: 6 - Couldn't find the net himself, but almost set up a fourth goal for Seedorf in the dying minutes.

Flamini: 6 - He quickly settled into a match that more resembled a training game by the time he came on.


SAMPDORIA

Castellazzi: 5.5 - Conceded three goals but made some good stops to prevent the scoreline from becoming an embarrassment.

Stankevicius: 5 - Allowed Ronaldinho far too much possession, and saw Pato break past him on a number of occasions after Ronaldinho's substitution.

Gastaldello: 5.5 - Not organising the defence at all, but he did make a brilliant clearance just before the break that saved a certain goal.

Accardi: 5.5 - Really struggled to cope with the front three, and won far too few of the tackles that he went in for.

Ziegler: 5 - Completely dominated by firstly Pato and then Abate on the left flank, and offered very little defensive protection.

Padalino: 4.5 - Substituted in the 52nd minute, and that was about as much action as anyone saw from him. Very quiet performance.

Tissone: 5.5 - He had Samp's only shot on target and looked to put himself about in the middle of the pitch, but the Milan midfield totally overran him until it was too late.

Poli: 6 - Clearly frustrated by what was going on around him. He rarely gave the ball away himself, but needed to give more support to the attackers.

Mannini: 4 - Conceded possession to Zambrotta for the third goal, and was so off his game that he was replaced after 25 minutes.

Pazzini: 5 - Very isolated up front and given almost nothing to go on for the entire game.

Cassano: 5 - Lackadaisical on the ball and didn't do enough to impose himself on the match. A more lively second half, but Milan were coasting to victory by that point.

Substitutes:

Lucchini: 5.5 - Came on for Mannini in order to stem the flow of Rossoneri attacks, but seemed to be bewildered by Abate's pace and was booked for a rash tackle on him at the start of the second half.

Semioli: 5.5 - One of the more lively players in attack for Sampdoria in the latter stages.

Bellucci: 5.5 - He had 15 minutes to do something in attack for the visitors as they looked to salvage some pride, but unable to get involved.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

AC Milan Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Waves Off Marco Van Basten Comparisons

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Jan Klaas Huntelaar - Milan (Getty Images)

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AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored his first two goals for the club against Catania this past weekend in a 2-0 victory, but has shrugged off similarities with the legendary Marco Van Basten.

The 26-year-old scored with a volley and a spectacular lob in injury time, but claims one match cannot make or break the grade with the Diavoli.

"Don't make comparisons between myself and Van Basten," the player suggested to MilanNews.

"He is part of the history of Milan, I just scored a nice goal."

The player had been heavily criticised for his performances at San Siro since leaving Real Madrid this summer, but his brace gave Milan a decisive three points - which prompted many congratulations from his team-mates.

"The embrace from my team-mates was both exciting and beautiful," he concluded.

Adam Scime, Goal.com

Milan Defender Gianluca Zambrotta Focussed On Sampdoria Clash

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Gianluca Zambrotta in action for Milan as he prepares for a throw in

Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta is expecting a tough battle against Sampdoria this weekend as he turns his mind to the San Siro showdown on Saturday evening.

The Rossoneri have rediscovered their enthusiasm for Serie A as they have leapfrogged Juventus into second place. They are now seven points behind city rivals Inter, who play the Bianconeri this weekend.

'Zambro' is not thinking about the league leaders though as he reflects on a positive moment at Milanello.

"We have been training well all week and now we are thinking about Sampdoria," the defender told Milan Channel.

"We want to win because we want to stay close to the league leaders. We are in a good moment and we have to carry this forward.

"We are in second now and it's important to keep up the pace."

Despite the air of confidence blowing through Milanello, the Italian international has urged his side to keep their feet on the ground, well aware that the Blucerchiati will be a difficult obstacle to meander.

"We know that Samp are an excellent team with great players who can make the difference at any moment. It will be a tough match for us," he concluded.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Gennaro Gattuso Offered New Milan Deal

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Rino Gattuso - Milan (Getty Images)

Milan chief executive officer Adriano Galliani has insisted the Serie A giants have no intention of releasing want-away Gennaro Gattuso in January and they plan to tie the midfielder to a new long-term contract to see out his playing days at the San Siro.

“Not only did I propose Gattuso to stay, but also to extend and spread out his contract and end his career at Milan,” Galliani confessed to Sky Sport 24 last night.

Gattuso is currently nursing an injury, but threatened to quit the club last week after finding his first team opportunities limited this term following the appointment of Brazilian boss Leonardo over the summer.

But Galliani is adamant there is still some wiggle room to persuade the Italy international to change his mind.

“We have an agreement: Gattuso will heal first and then we’ll meet to discuss it,” he concluded.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com