A goal from Peter Crouch 10 minutes from time gave them a 1-0 first leg victory but the triumph was overshadowed by Milan skipper Gattusos antics at the end of the match when he struck Spurs No.2 Jordan himself a former AC Milan hero.

Gattuso had shoved Jordan in an incident during the match but at full-time the duo went eyeball to eyeball on the touchline, screaming at each other before the Italian – who was booked and will miss the second leg at White Hart Lane, head-butted the Tartan Army legend.

That led to a melee that will be investigated by UEFA but Jordans former Scotland team-mate Graeme Souness, analysing the game for Sky, has no doubt the Italian was to blame and warned him he was lucky Jordan couldnt get him alone in a locked room.

He said: “He should have been booked if not sent off for raising his hands to Joe during the game.

“He’s not the best of players anyway he’s a little dog at best. He will go and get the ball and scuffle around.

“He’s been very good at that in the past but hes well past his sell-by date and for him to do that…I just wish he could have 10 minutes, in fact it wouldn’t take 10 minutes five minutes, with Joe Jordan in a locked room.”

Another former AC Milan player, Ray Wilkins, was horrified by the behaviour of Gattuso. He too was on Sky and said: “The lack of respect he showed to Joe Jordan was nothing short of total ignorance.”

Source + Pic: dailyrecord.co.uk

On a night that saw David Beckham return to where it all started for him, it was the current darling of the Old Trafford faithful who steered United into the quarterfinals by following up his double in the 3-2 first leg victory in Milan with another brace.

A first-half header put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side firmly in control and the the England striker killed the tie in the opening seconds of the second period.

Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher round off a memorable night as United eliminated their opponents for the first time in five attempts since two of European football’s iconic institutions first met, 52 years ago.

The predictions of a fluid encounter were vindicated by an opening ten minutes in which Milan might have established the two-goal lead they required to overturn the deficit from the first leg.

United had the first opportunities, Rooney’s shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area slipping just the wrong sight of the post, Gary Neville’s 25-yarder dipping into the roof of the net just too late and a Nani shot being turned round the post by Christian Abbiati.

But those were definitely in the half-chance category, unlike the openings enjoyed by Ronaldinho, who directed a free header from Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick wide, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Having been put beyond the United back four by Ronaldinho’s floated pass, the Dutch striker fluffed his attempt to bring the ball under his control.

Milan’s profligacy was swiftly sanctioned with Rooney giving United a 13th-minute lead with his third headed goal of the tie.

Allowed to advance though the inside right channel in leisurely fashion, Neville had time to tee up a cross which Rooney directed beyond Abbiati’s right-hand having been granted an equally generous amount of space by his marker, Daniele Bonera.

That left Milan needing to score three times and, for the remainder of the first-half that appeared a very remote prospect, the visitors’ only moment of menace coming when Edwin van der Sar needed a second attempt to smother Pirlo’s swerving shot.

Darren Fletcher came closest to extending United’s lead before the break, his drive curling just wide in first-half stoppage time.

The break saw Bonera replaced by Clarence Seedorf as Milan played their final cards, but within a minute of the restart, Rooney had killed the tie.

Having escaped the attentions of Ignazio Abate, Nani curled a delightful pass behind the remodelled Milan back four and Rooney was able to tuck the ball past Abbiati.

Huntelaar spurned another opportunity when he headed Abate’s cross over from four yards out but that was a rare moment of menace from a team that was beginning to show its age.

With the hour mark approaching, Park latched on to a Paul Scholes pass and, at full stretch, directed a low finish across Abbiati and inside the far post.

Beckham’s entry for the last 25 minutes was greeted with the predicted ovation and, while there was little he could do about the outcome, he did offer a reminder of why he was such a favourite with the Old Trafford crowd with a sweetly struck volley that van der Sar had to touch over the bar.

United’s fourth goal came three minutes from the end, Fletcher ghosting in at the back post to head home Rafael’s cross from the right.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Former England captain Beckham had been strongly linked with a second loan spell with the Rossoneri to improve his chances of making Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed last week an announcement was imminent – and it has been confirmed on the club’s official website on Monday evening.

Beckham moved to the San Siro during Major League Soccer’s off-season last January, initially on a three-month loan deal, but impressed so much his stay was extended until the end of the Serie A campaign.

The 34-year-old returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer after helping Milan to fourth place in Serie A, with two goals in 18 league appearances.

Milan have announced a six-month deal on this occasion, meaning Beckham will remain in Italy up until the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said on the club’s official website: “We are very happy to see again David Beckham with the Rossoneri jersey after the splendid experience of last season.

“We are certain that this time in Europe will help the player take part in the next World Cup and to continue after his career in Los Angeles Galaxy, to whom we thank for their time.”

His first Serie A game this season could be against Genoa at the San Siro on January 6.

Galliani continued: “We are confident his loan spell will not only improve Milan, it will help the player to take part in the World Cup in South Africa and continue to enhance his career in North America with the LA Galaxy.

“We would like to thank the Galaxy and MLS for their co-operation and understanding.”

A statement from LA Galaxy read: “We have today completed the loan agreement of midfielder David Beckham to AC Milan, effective in January.

“Beckham remains under contract to the Galaxy and will play for the club throughout the MLS Cup play-offs, which continue on Sunday.

“In accordance with team and league regulations, details of the loan agreement were not released.”

Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said: “We are pleased to finalise David’s loan to AC Milan and we look forward to his return to the Galaxy after the 2010 World Cup,”

Following the conclusion of the MLS season, Beckham and the rest of the Galaxy will travel to Germany for the club’s 2009 post-season tour.

He will officially join AC Milan on December 28 and will remain with the club throughout their season, which ends on May 16, before rejoining the Galaxy when the summer transfer window opens in July 2010.

Beckham joined the Galaxy in January 2007, making his debut in a friendly against Chelsea in July of that year.

In three seasons with the club, he has appeared in 41 MLS games, scoring seven goals.

He missed the first half of the 2009 MLS season while on loan to Milan, but returned to the Galaxy in July.

Beckham is clearly looking ahead to the World Cup, which begins in South Africa on June 11.

He said: “I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that.

“I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again.

“I’m thankful to Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena for allowing me this opportunity.

“I’m committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America.

“I’m completely focused on ending this season on a high note with my club by winning the MLS Cup.”

Source: teamtalk.com

The future of the England international is reportedly close to being concluded, but AC Milan chief Adriani Galliani told the club’s official website: ”I have read that everything is resolved but that is not the case. The deal is not resolved.

”We are in fact working on the possibility that he remains on loan until June 30 but no agreement has been reached.”

On Monday, Galliani confirmed the club’s intention to sign Beckham, but revealed their idea was now to extend his loan until June – after which point he will return to LA Galaxy, and then in January he will join the club for free as he has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave the MLS in November.

“I hope I succeed in sorting it out that he stays until 30th June,” Galliani told the club’s television station. “After that he can go back to Los Angeles, before returning to us next January.

“That is what we are trying to do. It is complicated as we always knew it would be, but we are still trying.”

Galaxy have insisted that Beckham will return to the States on March 9, but the player has already publicly confirmed his desire to stay in Italy beyond his current loan agreement.

If his loan is extended he will rejoin the American side midway through the MLS season where he would have already missed 17 games and would then be free to transfer to Milan in the new year.

Milan are keen to sign Beckham to a permanent deal but are unwilling to pay £10 million – the valuation LA Galaxy have put on the midfielder – for the star who has impressed in Italy making nine Serie A starts and scoring twice.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has also revealed he had no intention of playing Beckham when he showed up to train with the Rossoneri but was quickly won over by his work ethic.

”At the beginning he (Beckham) was set to train with us for two months and I didn’t think about playing him,” said Ancelotti in an interview with Foot Magazine. ”Then, I saw how he trained and I had no choice. We tried to get him four years earlier and two years ago but the negotiations faded away.

”I can say he is a great player. He has won me over with his performances and his character.”

Ancelotti believes the 33-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has improved with age and even said aspects of his game were better than former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka.

”On the pitch, Beckham sees everything before everyone else,” said Ancelotti. ”His vision of play is better now than during his time in Manchester and in that respect, he has nothing to envy Kaka for.

”He is slower but much stronger tactically and technically. He is very intelligent and works a lot.”

Ancelotti followed up his praise for Beckham with criticism of Ronaldinho. The Brazil playmaker has failed to impress following his move from Barcelona with the Milan boss hinting he was not working hard enough on the training field.

”Players like him (Ronaldinho) base everything on talent,” said Ancelotti. ”I have coached many great players and the majority think they can make the difference just with talent. This is not true.

”In modern football if you don’t have good physical condition and work in training it’s difficult to shine in a game.”

Source: soccernet.espn.go.com

Pic: timeinc.net

Galaxy chief Tim Leiweke had described the offer for the 33-year-old former England captain as ridiculous but Galliani is playing hard-ball.

Speaking to the Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday, he said there would be no compromise.

“Milan have made an offer that is fair for what is essentially an eight-month loan deal because, as Leiweke said himself, David can leave for nothing on November 30,” said Galliani.

“I don’t want to cause any problems, quite the contrary, I want to thank Galaxy for loaning us Beckham these last months.”

However, the reported three million dollars on the table will not be increased, despite Galaxy apparently holding out for a figure nearer 12 million dollars.

“Absolutely not. I have a lot of experience with regards the price of players,” added Galliani when asked if Milan would increase their bid.

“And from a point of view regarding the European parameters, there’s no sense in spending any more.

“In the States they look at the commercial aspect. But in Europe transfers are done for technical reasons.

“I’m already at the limit of the budget at my disposal.”

Gazzetta claims that the budget mentioned by Galliani includes not only the transfer fee but also the conditions of Beckham’s contract offer until June 2010.

Galliani’s comments will not be well received in Los Angeles after Leiweke told Gazzetta just 24 hours earlier that he was determined not to let Beckham go on the cheap.

“Two weeks ago Milan made a ridiculous offer that took me just a few seconds to reject,” he said of the reported three million dollar bid.

“With this figure Galaxy wouldn’t even be able to cover the loss in revenue from shirt sales.

“They (Milan) don’t understand that behind this affair there are fans who are threatening to give up their season tickets, there’s TV that needs to schedule which matches they will screen, sponsors who want compensation and other teams that have the right to know if Galaxy will play in their stadium with or without Beckham.

“And don’t forget that under normal circumstances our transfer window is closed. If David doesn’t come back, who are we going to replace him with?

“If Milan are so determined to buy him, why are they dragging this out for so long?

“If they think they’ll get him on the cheap that way, they’re wrong.”

Gazzetta, however, speculates on a possible solution to the impasse that would see Beckham stay on at Milan until the end of the season before returning to Galaxy in June.

He would then see out the rest of the season with Galaxy before returning to Milan until June 2010.

Beckham’s current loan deal at Milan is due to run out on March 9 while the Major League Soccer season kicks-off on March 22.

If Beckham was to follow Gazzetta’s proposal, he would be available for Galaxy’s June 6 clash with Toronto, having missed 11 MLS games from a 30-match regular season.

Depending on Galaxy’s league finish and qualifying for the play-offs, he would either be available to return to Milan in October or November.

Source: soccernews.com

Pic: brainfuel.tv

Major League Soccer said a deal had to be done by last Friday but Milan and Beckham’s advisors have virtually ignored the deadline and are confident the transfer can still take place.

“Up to March 9, I think there is time to find a solution,” Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters after Sunday’s 2-1 derby defeat by leaders Inter Milan.

Beckham has fought tough battles before and won.

He virtually took England to the 2002 World Cup single-handedly and forced Fabio Capello to bring him back into the title-winning Real Madrid side in 2007 after being dropped when he announced he would be leaving for LA Galaxy.

It looked unlikely two years ago that he would equal Bobby Moore’s England outfield caps record of 108 but he managed it in last week’s defeat by Spain having burst back on to the scene.

Beckham’s options are varied and it is unclear which road he will take, but he is very likely to end up at Milan.

His preference is for the clubs to agree a deal, which could take place outside of the transfer window because he is technically on loan at Milan until June.

Talks will take place this week but the two parties are poles part when it comes to a valuation.

“ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL”

Beckham has done well but Milan do not want to pay a lot for a 33-year-old, who will probably only be given an 18-month deal.

Various figures have been bandied about in the media after Milan’s opening offer of €5 million was turned down. Some reports have said Galaxy want around 12 million while Milan are only willing to go to 8 or even 10.

Another possibility is that Milan do a swap deal with one of their players or use their contacts to help Galaxy recruit another European name from elsewhere.

Milan defender Paolo Maldini is due to retire at the end of the season and having spent much of his recent leisure time in the U.S, it might not be unreasonable to speculate that he could be interested.

Beckham could buy out his Galaxy contract or use a get-out clause leave for free in November.

He is a very rich man but how much he would have to pay is confidential. Given the five-year deal he signed with Galaxy was worth around $250 million, it would not be a small sum.

Beckham is disillusioned by the standard of U.S. soccer but buying out his contract is not the image he wants to purvey.

“I’m always professional so we’ll have to wait and see when the final decision is made,” Beckham told reporters on Sunday when asked if he would go back to Galaxy if he had to.

“Talks have obviously been going on and on and everyone’s been talking about it,” he added with rolling eyes.

Milan must also be tired of the negotiations given they have come quickly after the Kaka saga, where Manchester City were willing to pay a world record fee of around €100 million before talks collapsed and the Brazilian said he would stay. Italian media pilloried City for their perceived lack of negotiating skills while the English club criticised Milan.

Rossoneri chief executive Adriano Galliani has said this time that Galaxy used the arbitrary MLS deadline as a “tactic”.

Whether Galaxy’s style has been seen as clever or naive, the idea of Beckham going back to Los Angeles in March and returning to Serie A at a later date is not appealing to Milan or Beckham.

He has become an integral part of the team and they do not want to lose him at the business end of the season, albeit with the club virtually out of the Serie A title race.

It would be risky too for Beckham, not least for his England prospects. Someone would also have to take his Milan place while he is gone and he could struggle to win back a starting spot, especially with Gennaro Gattuso coming back from a knee injury.

Beckham’s family, happy in LA, adds another variable to the complex tale but clarity should be achieved in the next few weeks.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: timesonline.co.uk

The Itallian Serie A club AC Milan are hopeful to lure David Beckham on a permanent basis from LA Galaxy according to Times Online.

Rumours even go as far as to suggest that Beckham may buy out the remainder of his contract at the Home Depot Center in order to secure a move to the Rossoneri.

The England midfielder is due to rejoin LA Galaxy in March after his loan deal is completed at Milan, but the 33-year-old has made such an impact in his first few games that the San Siro management are desperate to keep him in Milan.

The former England captain scored his first goal for AC Milan last week and would see the move as an ideal route back into the England squad under Fabio Capello.

“I can’t say what will happen. My contract says that I’ll be here until March. We’ll have to see,” said Beckham after Sunday’s 4-1 win at Bologna. “At the moment I’m enjoying this experience. I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti and owner Silvio Berlusconi are both hopeful that Beckham will make the decision to move to Italy on a permanant basis.

Ancelotti promised “no pressure will be made” on the player but confirmed: “Our desire is that he continues with us.”

He added: “When March 9 comes and he returns to America that will sadden us because of the help he is giving his team in terms of quality of play and balance.”

“Beckham is a champion,” Berlusconi told Sportmediaset.it. “We will try and hold onto him.”

AC Milan club lawyer Leonadro Cantamessa has also spoken out over the proposed Beckham transfer, telling Sky Sports: “After March anything can happen, The situation is complicated and will depend on the player, but if there was a common interest, the English player could remain at Milan, but not on loan.”

Any move may hit a potential stumbling block however in the form of Beckhams wife Victoria Beckham, who is determined not to move back to a non-english speaking country.

Fabio Capello, the England manager, is expected to fly to Milan on Wednesday to watch Beckham play against Genoa and Beckham is hoping to be included in Capello’s squad for the friendly against Spain next month to equal Bobby Moore’s record of 108 international caps for an outfield player.

Source: soccernews.com

Pic: telegraph.co.uk

The 33-year-old, who is on-loan at Milan for two months from the Los Angeles Galaxy, is due to return to the United States in March when the new Major League Soccer season kicks off.

However, when asked about his commitments Beckham’s response appeared to leave room for interpretation: ”The contract and the agreement is that I go back to LA on March 8th or 9th so I’m going to enjoy it up to then and we’ll see,” said Beckham.

There has been suggestion that if Beckham’s loan is deemed a success he could return to the San Siro next January as he tries to keep match-fit and part of England manager Fabio Capello’s plans ahead of the 2012 World Cup.

However, other observers, notably former Galaxy general manager Alxei Lalas who signed Beckham on a five-year contract in 2007, believe that if Beckham settles at Milan he could cut short his time in LA in favour of a permanent move to Italy .

After the game against Roma Beckham admitted to being was pleasantly ”surprised” that Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti had given him a start.

”I feel very good, very strong, a lot stronger than I thought I was going to feel,” Beckham said. ”I had fun out there. I was surprised to have started the game but I am happy. Playing out there is what I love doing and I enjoyed it.

”When we had the meeting before the game, Ancelotti told all the players what the team was and that’s when I found out. I didn’t think I would last that long but I felt so good.

”At half-time I felt really strong. I think the manager saw that I felt good, that I still had energy and he kept me on. And I’m glad the manager kept me as long as he did because I needed time on the pitch in order to get match fitness.”

Beckham, who aims to continue to play for England, was asked if Capello had told him anything before playing for Milan, a club Capello once coached.

”Everybody knows I have a very good relationship with Fabio,” Beckham said. ”He’s a great manager. He gave me advice to play football at the highest level.

”It is great to play at this club and to be out there with some great players. I’m enjoying being part of this team and training with these players but I will take it one step at a time. It’s pretty amazing to be among some of those players and I’m glad to just give them the ball and they’ll deliver.”

Whether or not Beckham will not be with AC Milan at the end of the campaign the club’s objective is to overhaul the three-time defending champions Inter Milan who are nine points ahead of them in the table with Juventus in second – five clear of the Rossoneri.

”That’s what we want to do as a team, that’s what we want to achieve. We are disappointed to have drawn the game against Roma because we were leading and we felt comfortable.

”But that’s football, Rome is a tough place to come and play but one point is not enough to be satisfied. We know football can change quickly. We have some of the best players in the world so everything is possible.”

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Pic: celebden.com

The football legend David Beckham is set to make his debut for AC Milan on Tuesday against German side Hamburg.

“Speaking on Monday from Dubai, where the squad is at a training camp, Ancelotti said: “there has been a lot of curiosity surrounding David Beckham.

“And I can calmly say that he is available and that he can therefore play.”

Ancelotti added: “The past few days he (Beckham) has been working hard and I’ve noticed his commitment to showing that he wants to play for the team.”

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States but has joined AC Milan on a short-term loan as he bids to extend his England career.

LA Galaxy resume competition in March.

AC Milan’s first official match of 2009 is Sunday’s Serie A league encounter against AS Roma.

However Ancelotti has indicated that Beckham, who plays as a creative midfielder, faces stiff competition from the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Beckham admitted he is thrilled to be playing with Milan and added, in an interview with Sky Sports, he is waiting patiently for the nod from Ancelotti.

“When I will play? I am always ready but it’s up to the coach to decide. Physically I know I have to work hard to reach 100 percent, I want to play well instead of just play,” he said.

He added: “I love my team Los Angeles Galaxy but for me this is a great experience. Not everyone has managed to play in what everyone considers the best club in the world.

“I feel lucky to have this extraordinary chance. I don’t like to think about the past, I have made all my choices with care, including the one to go to America.

“I lived a great period there but now I am here, it’s extraordinary and now I just want to concentrate on this.

“The training (sessions) these days have been tough but I like working hard. I am learning about Italian football and my team mates are exceptional.”“

Source: supersport.co.za

“Pipo” Inzaghi sent AC Milan through to the next round of the champion’s league after beating Celtic on Wednesday night. Celtic rode their luck to qualify in second spot thanks to an unfancied away win for Benfica at Shakhtar Donetsk.

In a match that might not be remembered for its display of breath taking football, Fillipo Inzaghi struck from a close range effort after some magical interplay between Brazilians Kaka and Cafu . The Italian etched his name into the record book with that goal taking his personal European tally to 63, Making Inzaghi the all time leading goal scorer in all European competitions.

The Home win was a big positive for European giants Milan who have failed to record a league win in the San Siro. It was not plain sailing for the Italians however as Celtic put up a Fight typical of the Scottish champions reputation. In a surprise move Celtic coach Gordon Strachan relegated powerful Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to the bench. With Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti Replacing his controversial keeper Dida with Zeljko Kalac.

Celtic Looked jittery in the opening stages of the match and made unforced errors which Milan failed to capitalize on the first being an early free kick which Clarence Seedorf could only slam into the wall on 15 minutes. Kaka served notice as to why he is Front runner for the world player of the year award when he narrowly missed the outside of the post on 25 minutes.

In a quiet match where scoring opportunities were a rarity It took Milan 70 minutes to score the decisive Goal and the Italian spoke of his joy at beating the record previously held by Gerd Mueller saying “It was a strange feeling, like inner peace,”

Milan could well have doubled their lead but for Celtic Keeper Artur Boruc making excellent saves to deny Christian Brocchi and Inzaghi. Kaka also threatened to add to his remarkable European tally but was denied thanks to a goal line clearance in optional time.

Both sets of fans greeted the final whistle with cheers, knowing the next round of Europe’s top competition beckons