A.C. Milan might as well call themselves A.C. Brazil. The northern Italian club announced yesterday that they have swooped in on the Ronaldinho sweepstakes to claim him for only $29.4 million from Barcelona. What! That doesn’t seem like a small sum by any means, but I still think Ronaldinho has the potential to reclaim his past form to make Barca wish they never dealt him.

I really don’t understand the transfer fee in this situation. How does Milan secure one of the top players in the world for less than $30 million? Ronaldinho joining A.C. Milan doesn’t even rank in the top 10 of biggest transfers all-time. Is it his form? His attitude? His work ethic? Whatever the reason was, it seemed like an Italian mob strolled into Catalonia and snuck away with this Brazilian gem. Ronaldinho will once again prove his worth, it’s too bad he couldn’t do it for Barcelona fans.

Back to the reference of A.C. Brazil. Ronaldinho will now join fellow national team players Pato, Kaka, Dida, and Emerson. Ronaldinho should feel right at home. This also has to send a message to the rest of Europe as well. Even though A.C. Milan will not take part in this year’s Champions League, they will be a force to reckon with for next year’s competition. A star-studded midfield that already includes Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, and Mathieu Flamini will now have to be considered the best in Europe with Ronaldinho added to the picture.

All in all this was just a steal for A.C. Milan. Landing Ronaldinho after finishing 5th in the Serie A is a serious statement to the rest of Italy and all of Europe. It’s just too bad we won’t get to see this team battle Europe’s elite this year.

The news is out, it’s spreading fast; Brazilian midfielder Kaka is taking home this year’s Ballon d’Or. The Ballon d’Or (The Golden Ball, which we will refer to it as) is awarded to the best individual soccer player from around the world and not just in Europe. The award which prior only selected a player from a European based club is now open to candidates world wide. The Golden Ball is handed out by a French magazine France Football.

In past years this award recipient has been visibly apparent. When Fabio Cannavaro took home an Italian Scudetto and a World Cup trophy home in the same summer he was a shoe in for the award. The year before that in 2005, Ronaldinho put put FC Barcelona on his back to lead them to a Champions League. And now with a replicate performance by Kaka, he too will have a Golden Ball for the achievements he achieved throughout Europe last spring.

Kaka played 31 games for AC Milan in the Serie A last year in which he scored eight times. Best part about this story is that he played 15 Champions League games last year and scored 10 times. Those Champions League numbers are insane. In fact Kaka scored the most goals out of any other player last year with 10. Who can forget when Kaka single handily silenced the entire city of Manchester with his dominating performance against United in the semifinal stage with three goals.

All in all the kid from Brasilia deserved this one. Plus, the fact that Kaka won the UEFA Footballer of the Year Award and the FIFPro World Player of the Year in August sealed the deal. He is only 25 years old so another award is not out of the future. Question is: Can he surpass Ronaldo at 2 awards, or can he even take a shot at Platini, Marco Van Bastan, and Johan Cruyff at 3?

The 2006-2007 Champions League Final produced a thrilling show at Athens’ Olympic Stadium. Filippo Inzaghi and AC Milan came away with a 2-1 victory to earn their 7th European Championship on an evening where Filippo Inzaghi will be remembered forever.

Inzaghi Becomes Immortal
When I projected the starting lineups in the preview, I thought Alberto Gilardino would be starting over Filippo Inzaghi. However, when Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti submitted his lineup card, Gilardino was nowhere to be found. In the 44th minute, Kaka was taken down outside of the box to set up the free-kick specialist, Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo sent the ball right through the Liverpool wall but on the way by it clipped Inzaghi on his left forearm and deflected in. In my opinion, the ruling should have been a hand ball. But German referee Herbert Fendal saw no evidence. Milan’s second came in the 82nd minute when Inzaghi received a beautiful through ball from Kaka. Inzaghi dribbled through the box to Jose Reina’s left and placed it directly underneath the diving keeper for the goal. Read the rest of this entry »

AC Milan and Liverpool know each other all too well. The Italian and British squads faced off in the 2005 Final and tomorrow, they will do battle again in Athens. AC Milan have the second most Champions League titles with six, while Liverpool stand in third with five to their name.

Past Revisted
AC Milan are entering this match with heavy hearts. In the 2005 Final, Milan blew a 3-0 lead after halftime and eventually lost in penalty kicks. I am willing to bet that Milan will not repeat their horrendous choke. Milan will be focused and try to establish their game plan quickly. Liverpool earned their win in the last meeting with a miracle finish. They will have to play with the same intensity Wednesday night.

What to Watch: Milan’s Forwards
Anyone that follows soccer can tell you that AC Milan might have the best midfield assembled in the game today. However, the real question lies with how good Milan’s forwards are. Since losing Andriy Shevchenko last summer, AC Milan has only produced one forward who has scored more than three goals (Alberto Gilardino 12). This adds extensive pressure to the midfield but they’ve been up to the task all season long. Brazilian forward Ronaldo will not be able to help Milan in tomorrow’s final. He already appeared in this year’s competition with Real Madrid. I know Milan’s midfield is capable of controlling the game, but their forwards have to relieve them of some stress. Read the rest of this entry »

0 Manchester United @ 3 AC Milan
After Manchester United’s 3-2 win last week, they traveled to the San Siro needing at least a tie to move onto Athens for the Final against Liverpool. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, they left their defense back at Old Trafford. United allowed early goals to Kaka and Clarence Seedorf and another to Alberto Gilardino in the 2nd half, losing 3-0 in the pouring rain.

Early Collapse
United wasted no time in showcasing their horrendous backline. Within minutes, Kaka had burnt down the left wing and sent in a cross. Luckily for United, it was just a bit too far for Inzaghi to knock in. But that attack by Kaka showed the weaknesses of Gabriel Heinze and Nemanja Vidic. Playing without Rio Ferdinand, United’s usually steady defense was on their heels all day. A few minutes later, a cross from Seedorf somehow found Kaka with tons of room to navigate. The Brazilian hit a left footed volley past Van Der Sar to tie the score on aggregate and give Milan the edge on away goals. In the 30th minute, Milan struck again. A horrendous clear by United’s defense went right to the top of the box, where Clarence Seedorf was waiting. He scored and quickly, it was 2-0 and 4-3 on aggregate. United never threatened to cut into the lead.

Where’s Ronaldo?
This semifinal tilt was built up as a battle between playmakers Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kaka made his presence felt throughout, scoring three goals in the two games. Meanwhile, Ronaldo failed to make much of an impact. It looked like he tried to do too much in an effort to match Kaka’s brilliance. Milan’s defense was far too physical for Ronaldo, especially in today’s first leg. Gennaro Gattuso had one purpose today: Make Ronaldo his bitch. Whenever Ronaldo got the ball, Gattuso was there. Because of the inability of United’s defense to stop anything, Ronaldo had to play much of the match as another wingback, which severely hurt his attacking.

Rematch of 2005
With the win, AC Milan has reached another Champion’s League Final. They knocked off Juventus in the 2003 final at Old Trafford. Two years later, they blew a three goal lead against Liverpool in Istanbul, eventually losing on penalty kicks. Revenge will be on their minds when the two teams meet in Athens on May 23.

The winner of today’s match between Manchester United and AC Milan knows exactly what awaits them in Athens: Liverpool. However, that game cannot be the focus of these two squads. Last Tuesday, Manchester United fought to the finish with a 3-2 win and now they will have to do the same at the San Siro (right).

No Captain’s Armband for Maldini
Another AC Milan player will have to adorn the captain’s armband today. Legendary defender Paolo Maldini will not suit up. Maldini, who only played one half in last week’s match, has been bothered by consistent knee injuries. In my opinion, I think it is better for the team that Maldini sits because it will give coach Carlo Ancelotti more options and speed to work with. Everyone knows that when facing Manchester United, you need speed to counter. Georgian international Kakha Kaladze will take Maldini’s place in the starting lineup. Read the rest of this entry »