At the M&T Bank Stadium Milan and Chelsea missed each other by a few minutes. The English left the stadium at 19.22, while Milan arrived at around 20.00. First, Carlo Ancelotti's press conference.
BALTIMORE - Tonight the Italian journalists present at the press conference of Chelsea and their coach Carlo Ancelotti felt strong emotions. The coach who led the Via Turati club for 8 years wore the English side's outfit and it had a strange effect. The conference started with a few answers in Italian. Time seemed to have stopped, but the topics immediately made it clear that wasn't the case: "Everything is going well, I am satisfied of the team and I notice they are following me with attention. There's great availability. Milan? I have not seen them yet, but I'm in contact with Leonardo who tells me things aren't going badly. Tomorrow we'll see. I know I have a very good team, which is already well-oiled and is composed of great champions."
The coach was then asked about the "hot" topic of Andrea Pirlo's future, and earned a few laughs from the journalists because of his ironic answer: "What I know is that Andrea will play with Milan's shirt tomorrow... no one knows the future. We'll see."
Ancelotti was also asked about more general topics, like Inter's transfer campaign and the attitude of Mourinho after the match against his Chelsea team, who won: "I think the Ibra-Eto'o swap is a particular thing. I don't know who will be advantaged, but I think that being two great players they generate a lot of discussion, because they are two champions. I don't want to touch the second topic, because I'm not interested if Mourinho said it was just a training match for them. I know we had to try certain things and that these things worked. I don't need to add anything else."
The conference ended more or less like this, but soon after that Abramovich's team left the stadium. When they did it was 19.22 and Milan would have arrived soon after. A postponed meeting? No, although yes... but only by a few hours, because after signing some autographs in the stadium, also Milan leave to reach their hotel and after a few minutes Shevchenko and Ancelotti appear. They did not stay for long, but they cared about this meeting more than about tomorrow's match.
Many embraces and demonstrations of reciprocal affection... perhaps also a bit of emotion...
Certainly a very special meeting.
A VERY SPECIAL ENCOUNTER
LEO, THE USA AND THE FUTURE
The Milan coach always feels something special when he returns to the States. His memory is tied to the 1994 World Cup, but now he thinks exclusively of Milan and the team's future.
LOS ANGELES - The training is just finished, the American photographers and the local televisions try to 'steal' a few images of the Rossoneri. The new Milan coach is one of the most targeted ones. He is still looking for winning solutions, and perhaps for a few players able to help an already strong squad. One of the names is Luis Fabiano, who's still being negotiated for: "Luis Fabiano is undoubtedly a good player. He is the center forward of the Brazilian national team but the negotiations have to go on. I don't think we can speak of a risky move, because he could've been ready already at 23. What he lacked was a big club. If he shouldn't come we'll see. His name was named after Dzeko. They were both players we were interested in, but we must remember that Milan don't go on the market just to buy a name. If we do it, it's because he's useful to us, otherwise we can keep these. We have a good squad and shouldn't rush things."
Another name for the future could be David Beckham?
"David has had and still has a good relationship with all of us. He was very useful when he wore our shirt, he's also a nice person and the fact he came to visit us shows how much he cares about us. It was really a nice gesture. David is without doubt a very intelligent player and to say he could've been part of my plans is not strange at all, because he can play in any system."
It's not easy to start working again after a long journey...
"It's true, but we travelled well and we are also doing well. Today it was right not to work too hard, so we thought we would make the team do only aerobic work, only running."
What formation can we expect tomorrow against L.A. Galaxy?
"We will establish that tomorrow after we evaluate those who are able to play. Practically everyone, but we are also awaiting indications from Gattuso, Kaladze and Bonera. Certainly it's early to say for Pirlo and Zambrotta, who will work on their own, because they came back after the rest, because of the national teams. We'll see how Pato is doing... he got married, went on vacation... but he's 20 years old so he could make an effort."
From here, in the States, your adventure officially starts, considering you are facing international teams...
"Yes, it's true. Coming here always reminds me of the 1994 World Cup, which we won against Italy. We didn't play the final here but the memories travel. But I'm also realising that in my new coaching role there is less time for personal memories. I have to dedicate more time to the team and concentrate on teaching them something new. The team comes before everything."
MILAN: IT'S ALREADY A VICTORY!
"I think any player dreams of playing for an important team like Milan. It's truly a special moment. Wearing this shirt is already a victory for me." - THE DECLARATIONS OF RONNIE -
MILAN - Starting from 20,30 at the Executive Room in the San Siro stadium the official press conference to present Ronaldinho was held. Here are the declarations of the Brazilian star who answered the questions of the numerous journalists present:
"This is a really special moment in my career. I think any player dreams of playing in a team as important as Milan, for this club's greatness and the importance of their players. It's truly a special moment and wearing this shirt is already a victory for me.
In Barcelona I spent a very positive period in my career, I managed to win important titles with my team mates, then for a period we didn't win anymore so we decided together to separate. I'm happy to be here and I'm convinced that with Milan's shirt I will be able to win more important titles."
How do you think you will play with Kaká?
"I'm very happy to be able to play with Kaká, I consider him one of the best in the world. He's also a great friend. Here at Milan I have a lot of friends and I don't think there will be any problems in my adjustment. I have played many times with Kaká in the national team winning important things as well."
When you came to San Siro for Demetrio Albertini's goodbye match you found a crowd who already cheered you a lot...
"Yes it was a really special moment, I did not expect it. A few minutes later the match would start, so there should have been some rivalry, but I saw the special affection the crowd had for me. I practically feel at home already.
I've also had the chance to speak with many Brazilians who have been at Milan and they've all spoken very positively about the environment in this club and that only increased by curiosity. I am very motivated."
Did you ever think of joining Manchester City?
"In the period I was injured I only thought of getting better. But I knew there were negotiations with Milan."
What shirt number will you get?
"We haven't made a decision about that yet, I will tell you when it's been decided."
Do you think your involvement in the Olympics could take away some important time in your adjustment at Milan?
"I don't think so. I consider the Olympics a very important competition, especially for Brazil who have never won it. This is a very important moment in my career, everything's changing and I think that this engagement will not interfere with my adjustment in the team."
The fans welcomed you very warmly, did you expect it?
"I thank the fans for the welcome they have given me and the affection they have shown. This is something that motivates me even more to repay them with my enthusiasm."
What do you think of Italian football?
"The Serie A is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, I can't say anything about the Italian league because I haven't had the chance to play in it yet. But I am very positive and I'm sure everything will go for the best."
Do you think you will miss playing in the Champions League?
"Anyone who has had the chance of playing in a prestigious competition like the Champions League knows its importance. Not playing in this competition this year only gives us extra motivation to make sure Milan goes back to playing in this tournament again soon."
How do you feel about the match against Inter when you will meet many of your friends?
"I think each game has the same importance. I don't think one match is more important than the other. Personally I think only about preparing well for each game I play and I'm happy to see that some of my countrymen have the chance to play in important Italian clubs."
The Italian press gives a lot of importance to the life of footballers off the pitch, how influential is your non-football life?
"I've always had a regular life and I will continue to live the same way now. I have never had these problems and I will continue like this to be able to give my best."
It's been a very long negotiation...
"My brother Roberto has always taken care of negotiations, my only duty has always been to play football. I've come to Milan with the idea of winning and I hope to win more titles for this club which has already won so much, along with my team mates. I hope that my experience, even though I am still young, can help us to win. I think this is the right moment to come here and I'm certain of the respect and the trust of this great club, then it will be up to the coach to decide for me."
