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Massara offers crucial updates on Ibrahimovic, Bonaventura; rules out Piatek sale


AC Milan sporting director Ricky Massara has revealed that the team are still waiting to hear back from Zlatan Ibrahimovic about a possible return.
The Rossoneri were 3-2 victors away at Bologna on Sunday night, with goals from Krzysztof Piatek, Theo Hernandez and Giacomo Bonaventura enough to fire the team back into the top half of the table.
We revealed prior to the game via our mercato expert Vito Angele that negotiations over Ibrahimovic are ongoing as the 38-year-old’s requests are still higher than the offer on the table.

The former PSG man is apparently asking for €10m-a-year, while the current offer from Milan is for a six-month deal for €3m, with an extension at €6m for next season if the team were to perform a miracle and qualify for the Champions League.
Massara spoke to Sky Italia before the game and was asked for an update regarding the striker.

“There are no updates, there is no negotiation in progress. It is a moment of reflection by Ibra, the club is waiting,” he said, via MilanNews.it.
Sky reported that Zlatan could join before January as he is freed from his contract with LA Galaxy.

“This is a plausible possibility, but it makes little sense because it has been stopped for a few weeks. For anyone I think it should be considered a reinforcement for January,” Massara added.
Meanwhile, the future of goalscorer Bonaventura is also the subject of speculation.

His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and il Corriere dello Sport claimed on Sunday that his situation is attracting the interest of Fiorentina and Roma.

Massara, though, is open to discussing a renewal.
“He is almost family, it makes us happy that he has regained his health, we are very happy to have returned to his levels. For the rest there will be time to talk about it.”

Piatek netted his fourth of the season on Sunday night, and Massara revealed that Milan have no intentions of letting him leave in the winter window.

“It is not our intention, we have confidence in Kris. The coach confirms the confidence every game, he misses goals, we believe he can give so much to this team.”

On Mattia Caldara, he added: “He is recovering too, he has played two games with Primavera, he has no more physical problems. We will need Duarte’s injury. He is finding the game rhythm and very soon he will be available”
 
An AC Milan fan has been left in a serious condition after being stabbed following the Rossoneri’s 3-2 win in Bologna, a report claims.

According to Sky Italia, the supporter was stabbed in the abdomen at the exit of the away section at the Stadio Dall’Ara at the end of the match.

According to preliminary findings, a dispute broke out between Milan fans and the stabbing occurred as a consequence.

He was transported to the Maggiore hospital in Bologna in a serious condition, while police investigations are underway to find out what happened in the lead up.

The travelling support saw Milan run out 3-2 victors thanks to goals from Krzysztof Piatek, Theo Hernandez and Giacomo Bonaventura enough to fire the team back into the top half of the table.

The result moves the Diavolo up into 10th above Torino and eight points away from the European spots, with home games against Sassuolo and Atalanta up next.
 
An AC Milan fan has been left in a serious condition after being stabbed following the Rossoneri’s 3-2 win in Bologna, a report claims.

According to Sky Italia, the supporter was stabbed in the abdomen at the exit of the away section at the Stadio Dall’Ara at the end of the match.

According to preliminary findings, a dispute broke out between Milan fans and the stabbing occurred as a consequence.

He was transported to the Maggiore hospital in Bologna in a serious condition, while police investigations are underway to find out what happened in the lead up.

The travelling support saw Milan run out 3-2 victors thanks to goals from Krzysztof Piatek, Theo Hernandez and Giacomo Bonaventura enough to fire the team back into the top half of the table.

The result moves the Diavolo up into 10th above Torino and eight points away from the European spots, with home games against Sassuolo and Atalanta up next.
 
*Pioli: 'Milan quality and intensity'*

Stefano Pioli sees the 3-2 win at Bolognanot as a turning point for Milan, but another step in their progress. “We’ve got quality, but must combine it with intensity.”

There is definitely progress, as this was their best performance of the season so far and a second consecutive victory after a 1-0 win at Parma last week.

The tactician consolidated the identity of this team by keeping the same XI and was rewarded by Krzysztof Piatek breaking his drought with a penalty, followed by Theo Hernandez and Giacomo Bonaventura strikes.

Milan are now in joint ninth place with Torino, only one point adrift of Napoli and Parma, who go head-to-head next week.

“The objective is the next game, that is all. We have to build on the positive sensations, it was a great game between two attacking teams who wanted to score goals,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.

“This is just another reason to believe even more in our capabilities, as with the quality we have, matched with the right intensity, we can keep growing.”

Piatek not only earned and converted a penalty, but also had several chances and constantly kept the Bologna defence under pressure.

“He was a very important reference point tonight. We knew Bologna would press us high, so we’d have to put it long and he held the ball up really well. Kris too will emerge from this evening with more confidence.”

Left-back Theo Hernandez is remarkably the joint Milan top scorer with four goals in 12 Serie A games.

“I think Theo has really good timing of his forward runs, strong physicality and an elegant foot. He’s the kind of player who can break opposition defensive balances if he has space in front of him. We can release him if we are balanced elsewhere and push the whole team forward, which lately we are doing.

“It’s good to see so many players pushing forward, as we should always have this attitude. Quality is important, but everyone is now working for the team, sacrificing themselves and it’s no coincidence that we are getting the results now.

“The movement off and on the ball has been good, we’ve got the players to provide some quality football, as long as we combine it with intensity.

“We should’ve finished this game off earlier, because when it went to 3-2, anything could happen, but we showed that we are on the right track.”

There were emotional scenes before kick-off, as this was Sinisa Mihajlovic’s first game back on the touchline since his bone marrow transplant.

“I was very happy to see him. I wanted to hug him, but Sinisa said best we don’t (due to a depleted immune system), it was still a lovely moment. I hope he’s on the road to a full recovery now. It touched me, just having that moment together, it really did.”
 
Stefano Pioli sees the 3-2 win at #Bologna not as a turning point for #ACMilan , but another step in their progress. “We’ve got quality, but must combine it with intensity.”
 
*Piatek: 'I improved physically'*

Krzysztof Piatek revealed his form for Milan is improving along with his fitness levels after breaking his six-game goal drought. “I feel good now.”

The Rossoneri celebrated their second consecutive victory, curiously both of them in the Emilia-Romagna region, as they won 1-0 at Parma last week and 3-2 in Bologna this evening.

“I think we played well together, which is the most important thing, as we are a team. Now we go up in the table and that’s what matters,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We take it one match at a time, the next is always the most important. We want three points every time and then we’ll see where we are.”

Piatek held up the ball well at the Stadio Dall’Ara, earned and converted a penalty, so has he rediscovered his form?

“I have improved physically, as the first half of the season was difficult for me. I don’t know if I had some issues in pre-season, but I feel good now.”
 
AC Milan technical director and hero Paolo Maldini discussed the bond between the Maldini family and the Rossoneri in yesterday’s paper edition of the weekly Italian magazine Sportweek.“What is the thread that unites Milan’s 60th anniversary with Maldini’s? A passion for football and for Milan.

A spontaneous and natural passion, among other things, not crafted.”Maldini then revealed that his father, Cesare Maldini, gave him the option to try out at either Milanese club.“My father let me choose whether to try out at Milan or Inter and whether to stay in goal or not.

And in the same way I never forced Cristian and Daniel to play or cheer for Milan. All the letters of the word Milan are included in the word Maldini. Maybe it’s not by chance, I see great meaning in it.”Maldini spent his whole 25 year career with the Rossoneri, making 902 appearances across all competitions for the club.
 
AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie is refusing to get carried away after his side’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Bologna on Sunday night.

The travelling support saw Milan run out 3-2 victors thanks to goals from Krzysztof Piatek, Theo Hernandez and Giacomo Bonaventura enough to fire the team back into the top half of the table

The result moves the Diavolo up into 10th above Torino and eight points away from the European spots, with home games against Sassuolo and Atalanta up next.

A lot of the lead up to the game was centered around who Stefano Pioli would deploy in midfield, with some outlets speculating that Rade Krunic would start in Kessie’s place.

In the end the Ivorian got the nod and had a solid game, scoring a 6/10 in our player ratings.

After the win Kessie spoke to Milan TV, and his words were transcribed by MilanNews.it.

“We wanted this victory. We need points, we have dropped too many on the road,” he said.

“The three points arrived tonight, but from tomorrow we must immediately think of Sassuolo.

“We have worked so hard, we are doing what Milan asks of us. In training now everyone is committed to the maximum. We have to go on like this because we need so many points.

“The season is long, we must believe it and work hard until the end.”

Kessie had been Milan’s undisputed penalty taker until the start of this season, but Piatek was given the spot kick for a third time this campaign, with his team-mate explaining the decision.

“Piatek was not going through a good time, he needed to score. In addition to the goal he made a great match. In the next few games he will score more goals.”
 
AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek has revealed that he would love the chance to play alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic if he were to return to the club.

We revealed prior to the game via our mercato expert Vito Angele that negotiations over Ibrahimovic are ongoing as the 38-year-old’s requests are still higher than the offer on the table.

The former PSG man is apparently asking for €10m-a-year, while the current offer from Milan is for a six-month deal for €3m, with an extension at €6m for next season if the team were to perform a miracle and qualify for the Champions League.

Piatek meanwhile got on the scoresheet for the fourth time this season during Sunday’s 3-2 win at Bologna, scoring the opening goal after tucking away a penalty which he won.

The Poland international spoke to reporters after the game, and his words were transcribed by gianlucadimarzio.com.

“We all had a great game. The group is what counts and not the individual performances,” he said.

“Europe? The next game is always the most important one, let’s think game by game. If I am physically better now? Yes, it’s true. I’m fine now, I feel better. The first part of the season was a bit complicated but now it’s much better.

“Playing with Ibrahimovic? He’s an incredible footballer. We need players of his level. He has done well wherever he has been so I would say that if he came he would be great for Milan.”
 
Kosa lilikuwa kumwachia Massmilliano Allegry akahamia Juventus tu.

Baada ya Carlo Ancelloti kocha aliyokuja kuwapa ubingwa wa Italy alikuwa ni Massmilliano Allegry.

Sijui nini kiliwachanganya hawa jamaa, katika misimu yake miwili walau alitengeneza squad nzuri ya kina.
Sulley Muntari, Stephane Elsharawy, Christian Zapata, Mexes, Robinho, Pirlo na wengineo.
 
Costacurta names the one thing Hernandez must improve to become ‘extraordinary’

In an interview with Sky Italia this evening (via MilanNews.it), the former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta shared his thoughts on the 22-year-old. As mentioned, the defence seems to be the final piece for Hernandez.

“If he improves in the defensive phase as well, then he will become extraordinary. On things like the penalty, just a little is enough. There is room for improvement, he just has to work on it,” Costacurta stated.


Theo Hernandez has had a great start to his adventure at AC Milan, currently being the joint-top goalscorer of the team with four goals from his left-back position. Of course, he has received a lot of praise for his performances.

Against Parma, the Frenchman scored the winner, and he followed that up with yet another goal against Bologna yesterday. He has quickly become a fan favourite, as his pace and strength is something that the Rossoneri have lacked on the left flank.

However, he hasn’t been perfect, struggling a lot in the defensive phase. Yesterday, he caused penalty with a silly foul and also scored an own-goal, although he couldn’t do much about the latter.
 
*CM: Boban disagrees with Milan boss Stefano Pioli over Rafael Leao*
AC Milan director Zvonomir Boban has a different idea about how Rafael Leao should be best used, according to a report.

The 20-year-old joined the Rossoneri on a five-year deal from Lille during the summer and despite some bright early signs, he has struggled for game time under Stefano Pioli recently.

The Milan boss has tended to prefer using Krzysztof Piatek as the centre-forward, though he did also reveal during his pre-Bologna press conference that he doesn’t see Leao as a centre-forward, hinting that he is more likely to get game time as a winger.

However, it seems like that particular statement has not gone down well with everyone.

Calciomercato.com are reporting that Boban strongly believes in the qualities and talent of the Portugal U21 international, but unlike Pioli he also seems him as a striker and not someone who should play out wide.
 
In the last few weeks, Ismael Bennacer has certainly been crucial for AC Milan: directing the play, covering the defenders well and recovering a high amount of balls. After a slow start to the season, having played in the African cup of nations this summer, the midfielder has taken the fans by storm.

When Giampaolo was the manager, he only played three games from start, out of a possible seven. With Pioli, on the other hand, he has only been on the bench twice, which was at the very start of the manager's tenure. Bar the Napoli game (suspension), he has started every game since those two.

For Milan, he has been an important player. He's not afraid of taking risks, and this has resulted in a more vertical, brave and aggressive Milan. If Biglia is calm, experienced and slow, Bennacer is the opposite: boldness, freshness and high rhythm. This has shown on the pitch.

In the summer, the Rossoneri signed him for just €16m after beating competition from Roma, Napoli and Fiorentina, as Calciomercato.com recall. Now, his value has already increased, especially after his performances in recent weeks.
 
Kessie to Mediaset: “If I wanted to leave Milan I would have already done it. I want to stay here for many years, it’s a team that I’ve been supporting since my childhood. It’s a dream come true and I’ll always give my best for these colours.”
 
Piątek to Sky: “For the fans and for the club when the main striker is not in form and doesn’t play it can be a problem. However I always think positive, I work hard and I have everything to do well. Now I feel better and have positive feelings.”
 
Gianluca Di Marzio has offered an update on a number of key January transfer targets for AC Milan in his latest broadcast for Sky Italia.
The journalist was in the sky studios to discuss what next month might hold for the Rossoneri, with MilanNews.it taking down the key points.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC: At the moment the Swede’s response to Milan has not yet arrived, because there is still no agreement on the duration of the contract.

The 38-year-old wants 18 months while the Rossoneri are offering six plus the option for an extra 12 based on certain targets.
Napoli could be interested; Aurelio De Laurentiis has already made a phone call to Raiola, but right now Gennaro Gattuso wants to evaluate the squad.

GIACOMO BONAVENTURA: An official renewal offer has not yet been made to Bonaventura. The club, on several occasions, have expressed the importance of the 30-year-old, but for the moment Bonaventura has not yet been given a concrete proposal.

MARIO MANDZUKIC: The Juventus striker has several offers, and is even evaluating proposals from China and the USA.

In the past few days, Milan have had contacts with Juve regarding Mandzukic, but they are waiting for Ibrahimovic’s response and as such have not made any concrete negotiations for the Croatian.

MERIH DEMIRAL AND JEAN-CLEAR TOBIDO: Demiral remains Milan’s first choice reinforcement for the defence in January.

If Juventus opens up to a sale, it will be necessary to understand under what conditions, though they are likely to ask for €30-35million for an outright sale.

Milan are also evaluating Tobido, for whom Barcelona asks for a sum of around €25million.
 
Following the victory against Parma and Bologna, Stefano Pioli has no intention of changing the starting eleven. AC Milan seem to be on the up, finally, after a very slow start to the season.

The Rossoneri will host Sassuolo at the San Siro this Sunday, looking for a third consecutive win. Thus far, they have only managed to win two consecutive games, so another three points would certainly show that they are on the right track.

According to MilanNews.it, the manager won’t make any changes to the starting eleven. Given their recent form, as mentioned, you can understand the decision. With the Christmas break closing it, it will be essential to finish strong.

Kris Piatek, who has been heavily criticised as of late, did well against Bologna and will get another chance to prove his worth on Sunday. Hopefully, he can get on the scoresheet once again, having won and converted a penalty last time out.

Likely Milan XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Conti, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessie, Bennacer, Bonaventura; Suso, Piatek, Calhanoglu.
 
Atalanta are looking to put a spanner in the works of AC Milan’s January plans by targeting one of their defenders and one of their defensive targets, a report claims.

The Bergamo club are in the market for reinforcement in January after learning that Simon Kjaer will leave, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport – as cited by Calciomercato.com – they have earmarked two candidates to fill that spot.

The first is Mattia Caldara, who has not played a minute of competitive action for Milan since April after suffering a ligament injury in a Coppa Italia match against Lazio.

Fabrizio Romano recently claimed however that Paolo Maldini and co. have no plans to sell Caldara, who they expect to return to his peak levels soon.

The other target for Atalanta is Jean-Clair Todibo from Barcelona, a player who has been strongly linked with the Rossoneri in recent days.

In fact, the same outlet reported earlier on Friday that Milan have tabled a €10m offer for the teenager, with no response as of yet.
 
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