The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Milan

  • Inzaghi demands nastiness from Milan

    Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi shouldered the blame for his team’s 5-1 loss to Manchester City and demanded more nastiness in the future.

    Inzaghi said his team had been too submissive in their International Champions Cup defeat in Pittsburgh on Sunday as City struck four times in the first half-hour before Stevan Jovetic completed his brace after the break to complete the four-goal win.

    The loss was Milan’s second in five days after they were stunned 3-0 by Olympiacos in Toronto and Inzaghi was disappointed with his players’ work-rate.

    “It’s in front of everybody’s eyes that we have to improve in lots of areas,” the former Milan striker said.

    “We’ve not been working long and we come off the back of an eighth-place finish. We have to work a great deal.

    “We didn’t do too badly in the first 10 minutes. We did well in terms of possession and less so without the ball which we’ve focused less on.

    “I’m disappointed because we conceded those two goals after creating chances. Without the ball we’re not nasty enough, we need to react more when we lose the ball. Work is the only thing that will allow us to be competitive soon.”

    Milan’s final International Champions Cup match will be against Liverpool on Saturday.

  • CHELSEA TO INTER MILAN: Pay N2.4bn, get Mikel

    CHELSEA TO INTER MILAN: Pay N2.4bn, get Mikel

    Inter, looking to strengthen ahead of a Europa League and Serie A campaign, have moved their attention to the English Premier League.

    Chelsea’s Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel is the player that has caught the attention of the Nerazzurri and have approached the London club to try and initiate a deal.

    Reports in the English newspaper The Daily Mirror suggest that Inter have initially inquired about a loan move for the 27-year-old midfielder but that has been refuted by Chelsea, they have responded by making the player available for an 11 million euros price (about N2,440,497,862, 000).

    The Nigerian midfielder, who moved to Stamford Bridge after a controversial transfer in 2006, has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the Blues and has been capped over 50 times.

  • Montolivo: ‘No Milan regrets’

    Montolivo: ‘No Milan regrets’

    Riccardo Montolivo insists he has “no regrets” about joining Milan and defends Italy from

    post-Armenia criticism.

    The midfielder left Fiorentina on a free transfer to join the Rossoneri, who are currently in 11th place in Serie A.

    “It’s true that Milan are going through a difficult time, but I have no regrets about this decision,” assured Montolivo.

    “Aside from this particular moment, Milan remain one of the clubs with more trophies than any in the world.

    “When I left Fiorentina, I wanted to give a turning point to my career. Milan were the ideal for that and I remain confident. We will soon get back to being competitive.”

    Montolivo plays as a midfielder at Milan, but took the trequartista role for Italy in their 3-1 victory over Armenia.

    It remains to be seen where he will play in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Denmark.

    “The criticism of our performance in Armenia was unfair. Cesare Prandelli is right when he

    says that and everyone in the squad agrees with him.

    “At the end of the match we all had the sensation we had done well, despite a few mistakes

    and the fact we have to improve in front of goal.

    “We cannot think of dominating every game away from home without suffering or allowing any chances, as that would be arrogant and stupid.”