"The Champions League Is Special For Us"
Filippo Inzaghi played only a small part in the 1-1 draw at Siena on Saturday afternoon as Carlo Ancelotti decided to give the Italian international attacker some rest ahead of tomorrow's debut in the Champions League of this season, a competition which for the Rossoneri takes the number one spot in their priorities.
"I'm convinced more than ever that for us Milanisti the Champions League is a special competition," Inzaghi told 'Sky', "Because it is a magical competition, and then for its background and emotions it gives you. In other words, on Tuesday we finally start," he continued. "Let's hope to give our fans a great game."
Milan are the current holders of this competition, but Inzaghi does not feel the pressure. "The responsibilities increase, but the responsibilities never scared this squad. These are exciting games, and we already feel a certain adrenaline, because Milan-Benfica is always a special game. I'm fine, but let's hope that Milan is fine: this is the most important thing." Source
Gattuso Trusts In AC Milan Mentality
Milan midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso believes that Milan’s secret weapon for success in Europe lies in the spirit in the dressing room. The Rossoneri start their defence of the European throne against Benfica at the San Siro on Tuesday evening. After having to settle for a point against Siena last weekend there is a feeling in the peninsula that the Diavolo may struggle against the Portuguese giants, but Gattuso tells a different story.
“The key lies in the dressing room and that’s no big secret,” he told Spanish newspaper El Pais. “When you see someone like Paolo Maldini who at 39-years-old can play in a Champions League Final and give blood, sweat and tears to the cause you’d be an idiot not to see how he is an inspiration. Then there’s Clarence Seedorf who has won four Champions League titles with three different sides, but I saw him cry with the emotion of winning last year’s semi-final against Manchester United. We are the kind of club that finds motivation in the hardest times and has winning in our DNA, Silvio Berlusconi has seen to that.”
As for his own role, the ex-Rangers man was typically modest as he described the pugnacious spirit that has defined his career. "At times I look at my feet and curse them as they never gave me any joy,” he chuckled. “I’m always telling Carlo Ancelotti to imagine what I’d be like if I had silky skills - we wouldn’t have space for the trophies! There are players like Kaka who are born as stars and then men like me who have to build a career from endless passion.”
Andrea Pirlo is set to overcome injury problems to feature against Benfica, but Ronaldo’s absence limits the attacking options to just Alberto Gilardino and Pippo Inzaghi. Source
ETA A while ago, I did a post about the Milan ultras and the Fossa Dei Leoni, one of Milan's biggest ultra groups. The Fossa Dei Leoni was disbanded in 2005 and until now I never knew why. I have gathered some background info on why the FdL was disbanded in 2005. If you're interested, read on.
The Fossa Dei Leoni, as stated above, was one of Milan's biggest Ultra groups and lasted 37 years before it was disbanded. In 2005 the FdL posted a statement on their official website saying that they had disbanded but gave no reason as to why. Some speculated that the reason was due to high ticket prices. Others thought that it was getting too big to handle. From reading the message boards I recently dicovered this bit of news and thought it was interesting. Some of you may already know this, and if you have any further information, pls do share.
In 2005, the FdL lost an away-banner to Viking Juve. It is part of the Ultra code for a group to disband after losing a banner, though few follow this rule nowadays. Some say that this shows what an honorable group the Fossa were. Others were not convinced that this was the reason, as it was an away banner that was stolen and the general rule is to disband if a home banner is nabbed.
How was the banner stolen? From what I can put together, the story goes like this...
Members of the Fossa went to Eindhoven for the CL match against PSV. On the way back from the match they were stopped by a group of men - Vikings posed as police - and threatened members of the Fossa. Knives were involved and as a result the banner was stolen. Chaos amoung the Fossa followed and I supposed they thought it best to disband.
If this clears anything up really - I don't know - but I thought it was an interesting piece of history. Now there is a new Milan Ultra group called the Guerrieri Ultras. And there you have it. Source
