Kaká celebrates scoring at Old Trafford (@Getty Images)

Fan 'spirit' holds key for Kaká
  
Monday, 30 April 2007

Kaká has called on AC Milan supporters to raise the roof when Manchester United FC visit San Siro for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

'Amazing game'
Kaká was impressed by the noise generated by the United faithful in a pulsating first leg at Old Trafford last Tuesday and hopes the Rossoneri's fans can "show the same kind of spirit" as his side look to overturn a 3-2 first-leg defeat. "The game at Old Trafford was a real spectacle and I'm convinced the second leg will be another amazing game – perhaps even more amazing than the first match," he told uefa.com.

'Spirit'
"I was hugely impressed by the atmosphere inside Old Trafford. Even at half-time when they were losing 2-1 the United fans were still singing and getting behind their team. I'm sure our fans will show the same kind of spirit. We haven't enjoyed a great season but the fans have been brilliant and have been by our side throughout."

Rooney praise
Kaká scored both Milan's goals, his competition-leading eighth and ninth of the season, and is convinced his side can finish the job he started at home. "We left Old Trafford a little bit disappointed on Tuesday night but not with our heads down at all. I only say we were sad because of the late goal we conceded. I don't want to take anything away from the quality of United's play, and [Wayne] Rooney's goal though. It was an incredibly good finish.

'Great chance'
"If the match had finished 2-2 I still feel we would have a mountain to climb although those away goals are very important. But losing the first leg is not the end of the world and I believe we stand a great chance of turning the tie around at the San Siro."

This article is based on quotes from Kaká's uefa.com Diary. To read the piece in full click here.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

TORINO 0-1 MILAN
4/28/2007
Torino fell to defeat at Milan’s hands today at the Olympic Stadium for 0-1 Rossoneri victory. The only goal of the match was scored by Clarence Seedorf on 26’ minutes. Milan stand at 59 points in the table, two more than Lazio who will play a derby tomorrow against Roma.

都灵0-1米兰

都灵今天在奥林匹克球场0-1负于米兰。唯一的进球来自26分钟西多夫的射门。米兰现在积59分，比少赛一场的拉齐奥多2分。

Old loyalties sway Desailly

by Michael Harrold & Kevin Ashby
from Manchester

The week's two UEFA Champions League semi-finals provided contrasting spectacles. In Manchester, a thrilling free-flowing match lived up to its billing; in London Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC picked up from where they left off two years ago as caution proved the defining feature of a tight first leg at Stamford Bridge. The prospect of an all-English semi-final may have raised the stakes in west London and on Merseyside, but for the neutral the main attraction was at Old Trafford.

Marcel Desailly was impressed by Manchester United (©Getty Images)

'Fear'
After smashing seven past AS Roma attention focused on how AC Milan would react to the expected early onslaught on Dida's goal. Cristiano Ronaldo's fifth-minute header provided the answer. "After five minutes there is obviously the fear United can go goal crazy," the Rossoneri's Brazilian playmaker Kaká said. "Our thoughts went back to Roma." It is unusual to hear a Milan player speaking of fear, but it indicates just how revered United's attacking threat has become. Whether prising open a defence as Paul Scholes's deft pass did to create space for Wayne Rooney's equaliser or bursting forward on the break for the winner, former Milan midfielder Marcel Desailly believes there are no better proponents of attacking football in Europe today.

They can play collectively, each of them can play individually, but most of all they can all make the difference

'The best'
"Not only counterattacking, for me they're the best team in Europe, especially if they stay in their classic 4-4-2 formation," Desailly, a UEFA Champions League winner with Olympique de Marseille and Milan, told uefa.com. "They manage to keep a good shape. They can make the difference at any time – [Ryan] Giggs on the left, Cristiano Ronaldo, Scholes, Wayne Rooney and [Louis] Saha if he is fit. It is the best team. They can play collectively, each of them can play individually, but most of all they can all make the difference." Belief in their ability kept United in the tie even after two quick Kaká goals had turned the match on its head. "We thought it was going to be Manchester's game from beginning to end, but the Italians managed to establish control before they lost a lot of energy in the second half. Manchester scored the second to come back, and the third one in the last minute. Against an Italian team with so much experience they took advantage of the mistakes of Milan."

Attacking philosophy
It was telling in the build up that manager Sir Alex Ferguson, after having it pointed out to him that virtually his full first-choice defence was unavailable, responded by saying that at least his "big players" were fit. Attack is the key to defence at Old Trafford, in contrast to the philosophies expounded by rivals José Mourinho and Rafael Benítez. Mourinho's decision to settle for a 1-0 victory rather than press home his advantage at Stamford Bridge says everything about his belief in the immense trio of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Petr Čech keeping Liverpool at bay at Anfield. Benítez, meanwhile, will be looking for the sort of inspiration Ancelotti has come to rely on.

'Tricky'
"They are lucky they have Kaká," Desailly said of the Brazilian whose two goals put his side 2-1 up on the night. "The rest of the team is a kind of group behind Kaká. United have plenty of players who at any moment can make the difference. That's why Milan should have been more focused on the advantage they had, knowing it's going to be hard in the return. How do Milan approach that game now? They are going to attack knowing that Manchester have the capacity at any minute to make the difference. It's a real tricky situation for AC Milan now."

'Rhythm'
The same could be said for Liverpool. "It's two teams who know each other well and it will be the side who gets a bit down physically who loses, as that will lead to mistakes and the other team will take advantage," said Desailly, who reached the last four with Chelsea in 2004 a decade after lifting the trophy with Milan. As Chelsea fight for trophies on three fronts the physical demands are rising, but Desailly believes they have hit their stride. "You're either at the top or you're not. They [Chelsea] have the squad to handle that. As a player you want frequent games instead of long periods out, it keeps you in the rhythm of the game. You know it's the end of the season and you're trying to reach your objective so you want to play." With Athens in sight, loyalty ensures Desailly can only see one outcome: "I expect to see Chelsea and Milan, my last two clubs, in the final."

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Kaká plots revenge mission

Kaká's uefa.com diary

I have to admit we left Old Trafford a little bit disappointed on Tuesday night but not with our heads down at all. I only say that we were sad because of the late goal we conceded. It's frustrating to have let in another late goal, just like we did against [FC] Bayern München in the last round. I don't want to take anything away from the quality of Manchester United [FC]'s play, and [Wayne] Rooney's goal though. It was an incredibly good finish from Rooney. In no way would I rest any blame on Dida for failing to stop it because the timing of the shot was absolutely perfect.

Kaká celebrates the first of his two goals at Old Trafford (@Getty Images)

'Great chance'
If the match had finished 2-2 I still feel we would have a mountain to climb although those away goals are very important. But losing the first leg is not the end of the world by any means and I believe we stand a great chance of turning the tie around at the San Siro next week. The game at Old Trafford was a real spectacle and I'm convinced the second leg will be another amazing game – perhaps even more amazing than the first match. It was a wonderful show for the fans and it could be another one on Wednesday. I was hugely impressed by the atmosphere inside Old Trafford. Even at half-time when they were losing 2-1, the United fans were still singing and getting behind their team. I'm sure our fans will show the same kind of spirit as United fans displayed. We haven't enjoyed a great season but the fans have been brilliant and have been by our side throughout the season.

I was really happy to score twice in the first leg and to have scored so many goals in the competition this season, but it is winning the Champions League that means the most to me.

'Maldini legend'
I was really happy to score twice in the first leg and to have scored so many goals in the competition this season, but it is winning the Champions League that means the most to me. I have come close to winning it before two years ago and would love to do it this season. Despite trailing United at this stage I still think we have a great shout at winning the cup this season. I've been asked this week what I think of my team-mate Paolo Maldini. The answer is simple, he is a legend. Anyone who says he is too old is talking rubbish. It's obvious that he doesn't perhaps have the same speed or the same physical prowess that he had earlier in his career but his experience and leadership more than compensate for that. You could see for yourself how much we missed him in the second half at Old Trafford. Maldini is an inspiration.

'Amazing Ronaldo'
I've also been asked what I thought of Leo Messi's brilliant goal for Barcelona last week and whether I was jealous! The answer is no, of course not, it was a great goal. It's even been compared to my goal against Argentina in London but all I will say is that they were two great goals, scored by two different players, with different characteristics. It's good for football to see wonderful goals like Messi's. It's not a competition between us. I think Leo Messi along with and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two best players in the world this season. I really appreciate the skills of Ronaldo. He plays like a Brazilian. He has so much skill and speed. He is an amazing footballer. Do I feel as if I am battling with Messi and Ronaldo to be in the top three? No of course not. I don't feel it's a competition at all. Football needs players to play great football and if we are all doing our jobs properly, it has to be good for the game.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Maldini demands show of class

by Kevin Ashbyfrom Manchester

While acknowledging that Manchester United FC have improved since their last UEFA Champions League meeting with AC Milan in 2005, Paolo Maldini warns that the Rossoneri are underestimated at any team's peril. "The fact we're in the semi-final shows our class," said the 38-year-old.


Paolo Maldini wants Milan to demonstrate just why they are in the semi-finals again (GettyImages)

European glory
On the eve of the first leg at Old Trafford, Maldini sidestepped questions about a possible duel with Cristiano Ronaldo as comfortably as he has many an opponent during a 23-year career which has brought four winners' medals in club football's premier competition. The last came in 2003 when Milan overcame compatriots Juventus in the final at Old Trafford – the scene of Tuesday's game.

'Up to the task'
Milan returned to Manchester in 2005 and beat their hosts 1-0 en route to a 2-0 aggregate success in the first knockout round. Noting the Premiership leaders' subsequent improvement, Maldini said: "Manchester United are a better team now than a couple of years ago, particularly as some players have matured and developed like Ronaldo and [Wayne] Rooney. But there's no doubt we're up there with them and are up to the task."

Statement of intent
The former Italy captain feels Milan's 2-0 victory at FC Bayern München in the quarter-finals was as much a statement of intent as was United's 7-1 demolition of AS Roma. "When United saw our performance against Bayern they would certainly have thought that it would have been better to face them [Bayern] in the semi-finals than us. We have huge respect for Manchester United but no fear.

Pride
"They play wonderful football, especially here, so what happened against Roma will have no impact on our dressing room and how we approach the game. I'm proud to be here and be captain of my team. We're motivated by the fact we want to win the Champions League, which has been our main aim throughout this season. We have always been a leading club in Europe, and Italy, over the last 20 years and we want to show why."

'Great passion'
Maldini says his "great passion" for the game is what keeps him going in his 39th year, "and makes me want to keep on playing and winning things". Ensuring Ronaldo and Rooney stay quiet – as he did so comfortably in 2005 – may be key to adding to his trophy collection, although he reveals that Milan have no special plans for United's Portuguese tormentor-in-chief: "Ronaldo has everything – he's fast, good in the air, scores goals and is creative – but we don't man mark any players so, to a certain extent, he'll decide who marks him by where he is on the pitch."

Sir Alex praise
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had earlier singled Maldini out as his favourite European player of the last 15 years, highlighting a peerless display against Bayern in which the central defender "didn't make a tackle". Maldini's unerring knack of being in the right place at the right time will be tested to the extreme in Manchester, but he stresses – if needed – that there is life in the old legs yet. "Maybe I'm not as fast as I used to be but I'm still pretty quick," he said with a smile. Ronaldo has been warned.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

MILAN 3-1 CAGLIARI
4/21/2007
MILAN - It was a glorious evening for the Rossoneri at the San Siro with Ronaldo finishing a double (14' and 68') and Andrea Pirlo sinking a brilliant free-kick late in the second half (80') to seal a 3-1 victory over Cagliari, whose only goal of the evening arrived with Suazo (74'). This victory takes Milan to 56 points in the classifications.

米兰-卡利亚里 3-1

米兰 - 罗纳尔多梅开二度和皮尔洛精彩的任意球帮助米兰3-1获胜，这是一个美妙的夜晚。卡利亚里唯一的进球来自苏亚索。获胜后，米兰积56分。

Oliver Kahn was impressed by Milan's performance (©Getty Images)

Kahn in awe of mighty Milan

FC Bayern München captain Oliver Kahn offered high praise to AC Milan after the Rossoneri ended his side's hopes of a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 victory in Germany.

Best in Europe
Suspended for the 2-2 first-leg draw at San Siro last week, Kahn was back between the posts at the Fußball Arena München but it was to prove an unhappy return. Having weathered some early pressure, Milan struck twice in four minutes through Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi midway through the first half and there was no way back for Bayern. "Milan are the best team in Europe," Kahn reflected. "They are solid in defence, very fast, very professional and play at the highest technical level. They must be favourites to win the competition."

Youthful promise
The Italian team must find a way past Manchester United FC in the last four before entertaining thoughts of the final in Athens, and Kahn believes it will not be too long before Bayern find themselves in a similar position. "We have a good young team with players like Philipp Lahm, Andreas Ottl, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Christian Lell," said the 37-year-old, who has made 103 UEFA Champions League appearances - a shade under twice as many as that quartet combined. "They are the future and in four or five years Bayern could be a real force."

Reflective mood
By then, of course, Kahn is likely to have brought the curtain down on his glittering career, and he was left to dream of what might have been as team-mates departed behind him, heads bowed. "In a way, it might have been better if we had lost the first leg, as we did against Real Madrid [CF in the last 16]," he mused. "If that had happened then we would have played with a bit more intensity, showed more aggression from the kick-off. We might have had a chance." Sadly for Bayern and Kahn, once Milan had rattled them with those quick-fire goals, they stood none.

©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.