Mega-post coming through.
- The new issue of FORZA MILAN! is out, and here are a few scans of the issue.
The cover.
Here, Ricky talks about his childhood and how he started with Sao Paulo. He was interviewed by his younger brother and talked about his family life and about playing for the Brazilian NT.
Bonera talked about his position in the team, and said: "I play as a central defender, but tend to the team's needs." He also thanked Carlo for the confidence in playing him, and didn't show any sorrow for not being part of the World Cup 2006 winning squad.
This article discussed the Azzurri's upcoming campaign in the Euros, and about Van Basten's recent visit to the Milanello and his views on the Euros.
This is a funny article about Ugo, a veteran Milan fan. He talks about his memories with some of the players and his dream team: Vecchi, Rossi, Galli, Ancelotti, Albertini and Van Basten.
This is an interview with coaches Pierino Prati and Maurizio Ganz, who train the the Milan kids aged from 6-8.
Milan hosted an auction organized by Christie's, which involves famous artists and known personalities, to raise money for Leukaemia, Myeloma and Lymphoma.
In the span of five years, AC Milan supported 39 projects and spent 3 million euros on charity. Leonardo said: "Last year, with the help of charity, we aided the building process of the ICU section in the Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth, Palestine."
Apparently, his room is stacked with Pippo posters/articles. The main article hasn't been up yet, and forzamilanonline.com will only share snippets, but I'm sharing the random questions that were translated (in, like, three different languages, and just one that I can understand. Bear with me and google).
Q: What has the goal against Siena changed in your life?
P: Nothing has changed yet. The only difference is that, I get to practice with the first team, and... kind of absence from school. At school I missed some lessons.
Q: The cabinet, this is figurine of?
P: My cabinet has so far this year Inzaghi's goal of the match against Celtic in the Champions League. Photos and newspaper articles. With that goal he became king in Europe.
Q: Less than a year's time has jumped by. A team debut. What will be waiting for you next?
P: First of all, finishing high school diploma and get to graduation. This is essential.
Q: Rather, Calcio?
P: Diploma is the highest priority. [he then says something about the importance of football and his mother, but google doesn't make any sense of it. Bottom line: boy wants to study.]
Q: What was your family's reaction to the sudden success?
P: They have always been so supportive to me. In particular, there was more in attention to me in school. My parents, in these situation, they know they can rely on me. Which is repaid by hard work for the encouragement I get.
Then, there was the article about Milan's foundation and the shooting.
(I'M SORRY, CURRY. That's as far as we'll get to see the cuddling poking from behind.)
The article about Pippo talks about his recent achievements and numbers. He scored 5 goals in three finals in 2007, add to that 8 goals in four Serie A games.
I'll try to translate Pippo's, and see if I can come up with something sufficient to post, because it's all about WE ♥ PIPPO!
This, here, is the main poster.
Flamini got to represent the special poster. Here with the last issue.
-Pippo and Paolo spent the day at the Milanello, still training.
20/05/2008 MILAN - "After the break the lines immediately following the race between Milan and Udinese, today was absolutely optional workout in Milanello. Among the rossoneri players who have taken advantage to work, Paolo Maldini and Filippo Inzaghi. In particular Maldini, who plans to leave for vacation after healing from the muscle problem that has blocked him in recent weeks. The Milanello will work on until the first day of the month of June." SOURCE.
-THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF PIPPO INZAGHI (yes, in caps.) Filippo Inzaghi on the choices of Roberto Donadoni: "I thought I had shown loyalty and cohesion with the project and in our relationship. Instead I only earned silence. Too bad. My best wishes to my team mates!" Here's Filippo Inzaghi's comment about not being called up for Euro 2008 by coach Roberto Donadoni:
"I am disappointed especially from the human point of view. I had started this two-year period with a positive and frank relationship with the coach, also scoring in Naples against Lithuania the first goal of the qualifying campaign. But since in football goals are not all that matters, I thought I had also shown loyalty and cohesion with the project and the relationship with the coach, both in participating to away games without coming on the pitch, both in answering affermatively to a call up for the match against the Faroe Islands last summer in a qualification game that was worth three points like all the others.
Then, the silence, despite my performances with Milan in every continent and my 18 goals scored between the winter through to April and May. Evidently an injury during my club season was enough not to even deserve a phone call, to cancel what I thought was an adult and mature relationship. I'm disappointed I was wrong, many sincere best wishes to the Azzurri for the Euros." SOURCE.
-I somehow lost the link, but: Two new primavera players will feature next season, besides Alberto, who is directly a first team player now. This time, with two defenders (and jaws dropped!). Michelangelo Albertazzi (age 9 17) and captain Matteo Darmian (age 18). I've had the chance to see Matteo in action last summer, and the boy is full of The Milan Aggro. Both of them idolise Paolo (shock) and can't wait to aid Milan next season. (that is, if Carlo ever allows them to touch the San Siro's grass *grins*)
-Nesta and Kaladze are joining a clothing company, Zu+Elements. The opening ceremony of a new Zu+Elements store in Milano took place in Via Montenapoleone. All the cool people were there, including Uncle Fester. That possibly means that the duo will be modelling for a shirt or two.
This is supposed to be Michela Vittoria Brambilla, the "possible" successor to Silvio Berlusconi. I have no idea what is going on with her and (who, as usual, looks uncomfortable) Sandro, but here's a video of her jumping left and right, annoying everyone. And yes, Uncle Fester is there with his ever-beautiful yellow tie.
They were there to show off, but still got asked questions, such as:
Q: Milan's current defence is a little full of old people, is that a problem?
Kaladze: (after a moment of silence) Who? Old people. I'm 30 years old and Nesta is 31. Who are you talking about? We have the strongest defence, I'm told, and it is in Europe rather than in the world. [You tell them, Kala.]
Q: The European Championship is nearing and there are talks about the national team. Don't you feel a little nostalgia?
Nesta: No. I'm not looking back. Every time I see my ex-companions play, I feel bad but this way I can rest every now and then and keep myself in a little better form. I hope in this way I could manage to play a couple of more years. I'll be in Italy, cheering. My team mates will handle the "original" job and I hope for them to win.
Q: Have you ever thought about post-Maldini?
Nesta: No, not yet. Without Paolo, it will be strange. He is a true leader. Like me, he doesn’t like to talk much and for this reason, when he says something, everyone follows. Those who talk a lot will hardly be heard in the end.