Ancelotti Optimis Ajak Mantan Anak Asuhnya Bergabung

Pelatih Paris Saint-Germain, Carlo Ancelotti, tetap ngotot akan mendatangkan striker AC Milan, Alexander Pato, pada musim panas mendatang. Musim ini, klub ibu kota Prancis tersebut ingin mendatangkan Pato ke Parc des Princes, namun Pato sendiri menolak bergabung bersama PSG.

Pada pertandingan derby Milano, mantan arsitek Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti berkomentar mengenai kekalahan Milan dan peluang yang gagal dimaksimalkan oleh Pato.

"Pato dicemoohkan pada saat Derby karena timnya gagal memenangkan laga tersebut. Dia harus melakukan lebih baik dan memiliki segala kesempatan untuk melakukannya, merupakan bagian yang besar bagi Milan dan harus tetap dijaga," lanjut Don Carlo seperti dilansir Tribalfootball.

"Di setiap klub terdapat begitu banyak kompetisi yang bergengsi, tetapi dia harus memiliki mental yang kuat meskipun usianya masih muda. Pelatih pun harus memberikan dukungan untuk setiap pemain."

"Saya memiliki kesempatan mengajaknya kembali, namun dia (Pato) memutuskan untuk tinggal di Milan, seperti yang terjadi pada David Beckham. Beckham malah memutuskan bertahan di LA Galaxy," ujar pelatih berusia 52 tahun tersebut.

"Untuk bulan Juni? Kita tidak tahu keputusannya.Yang pasti kami akan mendatangkan dia," tambahnya.

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Keisuke Honda diminati Klub Serie A Lazio

Keisuke Honda kembali diminati klub asal Italia. Lazio diberitakan Corriere dello Sport tertarik menggaet pemain CSKA Moskva itu.

Berdasarkan pemberitaan tersebut, Lazio siap melakukan penawaran kepada CSKA. Hanya, I Biancocelesti hanya akan mencoba meminjam Honda.

Lazio menyodorkan tawaran 2 juta euro kepada CSKA untuk bisa meminjam Honda. Plus, opsi pembelian permanen pada akhir musim dengan nilai 10 juta euro.

Kendati demikian, usaha Lazio itu tampaknya akan sangat sulit disetujui CSKA. Pasalnya, raksasa Rusia itu membanderol Honda sebesar 16 juta euro.

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Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder eager to welcome Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt to Inter

Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder is keen to see Netherlands team-mate Dirk Kuyt signed up from Liverpool.

The 30-year-old is believed to be on the verge of a £13 million move to reunite with ex-manager Rafael Benitez at the San Siro. After Sneijder and Kuyt helped propel their nation to the World Cup 2010 final, the ex-Ajax and Real Madrid player was eager for them to join forces at club level.

Speaking to Corriere Dello Sport, he said: "With him it's like playing with 12 and not 11 players.

"Kuyt is always running for two and with the work that he does he's always vital, whether for the national team or Liverpool."

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Milan turn down Bologna offer for Tottenham target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Italian powerhouse Milan have rejected an offer from fellow Serie A club Bologna for the services of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, according to latest reports.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Bologna made a bid on Thursday for the former Real Madrid striker but Milan's director of sport Ariedo Braida turned it down. Apparently, the Felsinei wanted the Dutch international striker on loan for the 2010-11 season but the former Italian and European champions want to sell him outright for a sum between €10 million (£8.2m) and €12m (£9.8m).

Milan, who finished third in the Italian top flight last campaign, have expressed a willingness to offload the 27-year-old, who has struggled to fulfill his potential at the San Siro. Huntelaar had previously been linked with moves to Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool but nothing concrete has emerged.

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Juventus in talks to sign Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool

Juventus are in talks with Liverpool to sign midfielder Alberto Aquilani, according to the player's agent.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has earlier admitted that Aquilani, who was signed from Roma last summer, could be let go to Italy on loan for a year. Juventus have been looking to strengthen their midfield and it appears that are set to make a move for the Italian.

Aquilani's agent, Franco Zavaglia, says that although negotiations are underway, a deal is not yet in place for the Italian, contrary to reports.

“The negotiations between Juventus and Liverpool have not yet concluded. We are working on the details,” he told Sky Italia.

However, according to Il Corriere dello Sport, Aquilani is already a Juventus player. The report claims contracts have been signed and the Liverpool midfielder will move to the club on loan with an option to buy for €17 million (£13.9m).

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AC Milan Sign Kevin-Prince Boateng from Genoa

Italian giants AC Milan have announced the signing of midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng from Genoa on a season-long loan deal with an option to sign him on a permanent contract at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

Boateng has joined Genoa from Portsmouth for a reported fee of around £5 million after his impressive performances for the Ghana at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Portsmouth chief executive David Lampitt was grateful to Boateng for his spell at Fratton Park and wished him well for the future.

He told the club's official website: "We wish Kevin all the best. He played an important role last season and we thank him for that."

On Tuesday, though, Grifone president Enrico Preziosi had made it clear that he was on the verge on farming out the player on loan to Milan and would be looking to make a profit on any future dealings involving the player.

The Rosseneri are struggling for funds to sign reinforcements and a loan signing is beneficial for the former Italian and European champions.

The 23-year-old central midfielder was an important player for Ghana at the World Cup in which the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals.

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Mario Balotelli and Maicon "NOT FOR SALE"

Champions League holders Inter Milan are not looking to sell Mario Balotelli and Maicon, the club's technical director Marco Branca has said.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have been linked with bids for striker Balotelli, 19, with Real Madrid reportedly keen on right-back Maicon. "We will consider offers, but they are not transfer listed," Branca told the club's website. "How much is Balotelli worth? He doesn't have a price." Inter won the Serie A title and Copa Italia last season to complete a treble under former manager Jose Mourinho, but while Maicon was a key player Balotelli fell out with the manager and was an unused substitute as the Italian side beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

But with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez now in charge at the San Siro, Branca insisted the club have no need to sell key players. "We are in a privileged situation, having won so much," he said. "It's true that we receive calls each day because everyone wants at least six or seven of our champions." Balotelli had a temperamental relationship with Mourinho, but is considered one of Italy's brightest prospects and is likely to get his chance in the national team after Italy crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages. Maicon, 28, is an established member of the Brazilian national team and his form over the past season has seen him shortlisted for the 2010 Ballon d'Or - given to the player voted the best in Europe.

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AC Milan Sign Sokratis Papastathopoulos From Genoa

Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos has joined AC Milan for an undisclosed fee from Genoa CFC, who have taken on co-ownership of three Rossoneri youngsters as part of the deal.

AC Milan have signed Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Serie A rivals Genoa CFC.

The 22-year-old centre-back has moved for an undisclosed fee with Genoa simultaneously taking joint ownership of Milan prospects Nnamdi Oduamadi, Rodney Strasser and Gianmarco Zigoni. An AEK Athens FC youth product, Papastathopoulos captained Greece to the final of the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, but was suspended for the loss to Spain in the decider. The following year he made his senior international debut and joined Genoa, for whom he made more than 50 Serie A appearances. He played in two of Greece's games at the recent FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Papastathopoulos is the first arrival since former Cagliari Calcio boss Massimiliano Allegri's appointment as Milan coach, though goalkeeper Marco Amelia had previously come in on loan from Genoa. On Monday his fellow custodian Christian Abbiati signed a two-year contract extension. Third in Serie A last season, Milan begin their UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage.

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Thigh confines Iaquinta to Juventus sidelines

Striker Vincenzo Iaquinta must sit out Juventus's opening UEFA Europa League fixtures after he suffered a recurrence of the thigh problem which plagued him at the FIFA World Cup.

Juventus will be without Vincenzo Iaquinta for their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against Shamrock Rovers FC or Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC, with the striker nursing a thigh problem. Iaquinta was troubled by a painful right thigh during Italy's FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa, and has continued to struggle since returning to his club. The former Udinese Calcio player will be sidelined for about a month.

Although Juventus coach Luigi Delneri should be able to call on the 30-year-old for the start of the Serie A season, Iaquinta will play no part in the Turin side's European openers, scheduled for 29 July and 5 August. Shamrock Rovers and Bnei Yehuda are level at 1-1 going into Thursday's deciding leg in Israel of their second qualifying round tie.

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Edinson Cavani joined Napoli from Palermo

Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani has joined SSC Napoli from fellow UEFA Europa League play-off entrants US Città di Palermo for a reported fee that is expected to reach €17m.

SSC Napoli have signed Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani from US Città di Palermo for a reported fee that is expected to reach €17m.
The 23-year-old has signed a contract running until 2015. "Cavani is a great player," said Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentis. "We've been following him for a month and, although several other clubs tried to sign him, we've moved faster. We're proud to give another big players to our fans." Cavani began his career with Danubio FC before joining Palermo in January 2007 and immediately establishing himself as a regular, scoring 35 goals in 114 appearances, including 15 in each of the last two seasons.

The striker, who only signed a new four-year Palermo deal in April, further impressed in the recent FIFA World Cup where he helped Uruguay to the semi-finals, scoring in the 3-2 third-place play-off defeat by Germany. Overall he has 23 caps and joins a team who, like Palermo, begin their UEFA Europa League campaign in the play-off round, with the draw on 6 August and the matches on the last two Thursdays of next month. Earlier on Saturday, Palermo signed left-back Santiago García from CA Rosario Central and made goalkeeper Giacomo Brichetto's loan move permanent on a three-year deal.

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Fabio Cannavaro has admitted the offer to join Al Ahli

Fabio Cannavaro has admitted the offer to join Al Ahli was too good to turn down, with the 36-year-old saying he expects to end his playing career in the United Arab Emirates. The former Italy captain, whose international career came to a disappointing conclusion with Gli Azzurri's exit in the group stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ having lifted the trophy four years previously in Germany, penned a two-year deal with the Dubai club last month.
"I accepted Al Ahli's offer mainly because it was the best offer for me and my family," Cannavaro said. "I played in Italy and Spain for 20 years. I needed a change, so I made it.

"I'm happy to join Al Ahli as this is a new journey in my career and I'm looking forward to it. The UAE is a nice country. I hope that I can end my career with Al Ahli, who are investing in football for the future. I have met my new team-mates and they showed their desire to win, which will be our main motivation."
Al Ahli have turned to the former Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid defender in a bid to improve on a disappointing season last term. They finished eighth in the UAE League and exited the AFC Champions League at the first hurdle after finishing bottom of Group D.

"I needed a change, so I made it. I'm happy to join Al Ahli as this is a new journey in my career and I'm looking forward to it." Fabio Cannavaro

Cannavaro, Italy's most-capped player, also hopes to play a prominent role in developing the club's young talent. "I have followed the UAE League and I saw Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League," he said.
"I hope that we will put all our efforts into getting better results and good achievements next year. I came here to use all my experience and help the young players."
Al Ahli executive manager Ahmad Khalifa Hammad was delighted with the Italian's capture. "Cannavaro will join us for two seasons and he will be a big addition for us," he said. "Fabio will be the new captain of the team because he has a strong personality on the pitch, and he has good leadership and experience."
Hammad also confirmed former Leeds United and Aston Villa manager David O'Leary will be presented as the club's new coach in the coming days. "We will also announce the official signing of coach David O'Leary in an official press conference," he added. "We hope that we can build a good team to compete in the new season."

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Beat defending champion Italy, Slovakia escape

Reigning champions Italy were sensationally knocked out of the World Cup by a Slovakia side that clinched a place in the last 16 with victory in a match of incredible drama and tension.

In arguably the best game of the tournament so far, Robert Vittek scored a goal in each half to seemingly end the Azzurri's hopes of defending the trophy they won in Germany four years ago.
But Antonio Di Natale pulled it back to 2-1 with nine minutes remaining, leaving the Italians needing to score again to claim the point that would have seen them scrape through from Group F.

And they thought it had come through substitute Fabio Quagliarella, only for the offside flag to agonisingly deny them.
Italy's hopes of advancing were then seemingly extinguished once and for all when Slovakia substitute Kamil Kopunek exploited defensive hesitation, running onto a throw-in before lifting the ball brilliantly beyond advancing goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with one minute of normal time remaining.
Even then, there was time for Quagliarella to score with a superb injury-time strike and Simone Pepe to scuff a far-post volley as Italy staged a last-ditch attempt to remain in the finals in South Africa.
The win sees Slovakia claim second place behind group winners Paraguay - and ensures the campaign is already a resounding success for coach Vladimir Weiss and his team.
But the 2010 World Cup will be remembered as a disaster for opposite number Marcelo Lippi as his team finish bottom of their group having failed to qualify from the opening stage of the competition for the first time since 1974. Lippi, who guided them to glory in 2006, sees his second spell as coach end in dramatic defeat.
Italy drew with Paraguay and New Zealand before losing to Slovakia, who are ranked 34th in the world, and could have no complaints about the result at Ellis Park after their opponents approached the game with more craft and invention.
The Azzurri conceded just twice in their triumphant campaign four years ago but their central defensive pairing of veteran Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini were opened up numerous times.
Napoli's Marek Hamsik should really have scored for Slovakia after six minutes when he found himself completely unmarked 16 yards from goal, only to mis-cue his volley.
However, there was much to admire in the precision of Slovakia's opening goal after Daniele De Rossi's awful pass gifted possession to Juraj Kucka.
Sparta Prague forward Kucka quickly assessed the situation before playing a superb disguised pass to Vittek, whose accurate low strike from the edge of the area eluded Marchetti.
Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta fired wide from a tight angle in reply, while Riccardo Montolivo thrashed a shot over the crossbar in the final attack of a very frustrating opening half for his side.
It could have been an even worse first 45 minutes for the Azzurri as skipper Cannavaro, playing what turned out to be his final game for his country, was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking for a lunge on Hamsik minutes after he had received a caution.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi had seen enough and brought on Christian Maggio and Quagliarella for Domenicio Criscito and Gennaro Gattuso at the break.
And after only 10 minutes of the second half, he played his final card by introducing AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, so important in 2006, but unable to play any part in their first two matches because of a calf injury.
Italy were effectively playing with a front four, although Pepe and Quagliarella dropped back from their wide positions when Slovakia were in possession.
The tactical switch undoubtedly opened up the game and shortly after Martin Skrtel's sensational, if slightly fortunate, goal-line clearance after a firm strike from Quagliarella, Slovakia doubled their lead.
Chiellini headed a corner clear but as he looked around to adjust his position the alert Vittek made a near-post run that allowed him to steal a march on the Italian and convert Hamsik's low cross.
The contest was by now an end-to-end encounter, and it became heated with some ugly scenes following Di Natale's close-range goal.
Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha tussled with Quagliarella as they both tried to retrieve the ball from the back of the net and after Kucka came to his team-mate's defence, both the Italian and Mucha ended up on the floor.
The goal gave Italy renewed hope but they could not pull themselves level in a thrilling finish which ended with the final whistle which prompted mass celebrations among the Slovakia players.

Slovakia	3-2	Italy	FT
Vittek, 25, 73 Kopunek, 89	(HT 1-0)	Di Natale, 81 Quagliarella, 90+2
Team
Slovakia 01 Mucha 02 Pekarik 03 Skrtel 05 Zabavnik 06 Strba (20 Kopunek, 86) 15 Stoch 16 Durica 17 Hamsik 19 Kucka 11 Vittek 18 Jendrisek (22 Petras, 90+4)		Italy 12 Marchetti 03 Criscito (02 Maggio, 46) 04 Chiellini 05 Cannavaro 19 Zambrotta 06 De Rossi 07 Pepe 08 Gattuso (18 Quagliarella, 46 ) 22 Montolivo (21 Pirlo, 56) 09 Iaquinta 10 >Di Natale
12 Pernis, 23 Kuciak, 04 Cech, 21 Salata, 22 Petras, 07 Weiss, 08 Kozak, 10 Sapara, 20 Kopunek, 09 Sestak, 13 Holosko, 14 Jakubko		Substitutes: 01 Buffon, 14 De Sanctis, 13 Bocchetti, 23 Bonucci, 02 Maggio, 15 Marchisio, 16 Camoranesi, 17 Palombo, 21 Pirlo, 11 Gilardino, 18 Quagliarella, 20 Pazzini
Venue: Ellis Park Referee: Howard Webb Attendance: 53,412

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Shane Smeltz almost embarrassing defending champion Italy

Rank outsiders New Zealand pulled off one of the biggest World Cup shocks of recent tournaments by holding defending champions Italy to a memorable draw in Nelspruit.

The Azzurri pressed hard for three points in a pulsating second half, but the All Whites stood firm and could have snatched a remarkable victory had 18-year-old West Brom forward Chris Wood not guided a late left-foot shot just wide of the post.

Regardless, it still represents easily the best result in the history of a nation which still does not have a professional football league and is far better known for its daunting rugby exploits.

And Italy, sorely lacking the creativity of injured AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, are now under real pressure to ensure an extended stay in South Africa: they must beat Slovakia on Thursday to guarantee a place in the last 16.

Should they only manage a draw, then New Zealand - 2000-1 to win the World Cup before the tournament started - could deny them with victory over Paraguay in their final Group F match.

Before this vibrant encounter at the Mbombela Stadium, Italy coach Marcello Lippi had identified New Zealand's aerial threat as the main danger to his team - and that warning proved prophetic within just seven minutes.

Simon Elliott whipped over a curling free-kick from the left and with tall defender Winston Reid soaring highest to flick the ball on, Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro - who lifted the ultimate prize in world football back in 2006 - could only help it into the path of Shane Smeltz.

The New Zealand striker looked significantly offside but was nerveless in prodding his 20th goal in 37 internationals past Federico Marchetti, who was deputising for Italy's injured first-choice keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The holders nearly hit back instantly but All Whites goalkeeper Mark Paston clawed out a dangerously bouncing Riccardo Montolivo free-kick with a posse of blue shirts waiting at close quarters to pounce on any mistake.

Italy soon set about exploiting any means they could to try and gain an advantage - Cannavaro accusing Rory Fallon of using his elbow after another sturdy challenge in the air for which the Plymouth striker was booked.

But AC Milan's celebrated right-back Gianluca Zambrotta injected some flair into the Italian charge after 23 minutes, firing in a spectacular shot which whistled just past the top corner before Riccardo Montolivo surged forward in similar style to swerve the controversial Jabulani ball against the upright from fully 30 yards.

Italy made their pressure tell just before the half hour when Ipswich Town defender Tommy Smith conceded a penalty after tussling with Daniele De Rossi as they battled to get on the end of a cross, though the Roma midfielder seemed to tumble easily.

Referee Carlos Batres booked Smith before Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta coolly slotted home, ignoring New Zealand's apparent attempts to match Italy's gamesmanship by trying to delay the kick.

Italy ended the first half in the ascendency but Lippi - knowing a win was of paramount importance - was still proactive at the break, bringing on Antonio di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi for Alberto Gilardino and Simone Pepe.

After Iaquinta wasted a defence-splitting De Rossi pass in the 60th minute, Lippi again made a further change with in-form Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini replacing the ineffective Claudio Marchisio.

Despite struggling to retain possession, New Zealand nearly took an unlikely lead when Ivan Vicelich lashed a fierce volley just wide.

With play really opening up - as many matches have in the second round of group matches following cagey encounters in the first - Montolivo once more showcased his long-range abilities but again Paston proved equal to his shot by palming it away from danger as the pressure mounted.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert soon replaced Fallon with Wood, who went so close to clinching a winning goal as he turned Cannavaro inside-out before guiding a well-struck low shot just the wrong side of the post.

The final opportunity fell to Italy as Argentine-born Camoranesi forced another decent stop from Paston - but destiny was on New Zealand's side and, on the balance of chances if not ther amount of possession, they fully deserved to take their World Cup points tally to two following their opening draw with Slovakia.

Italy	1-1	New Zealand	FT
Iaquinta (pen), 29	(HT 1-1)	Smeltz, 7
Team
Italy 12 Marchetti 03 Criscito 04 Chiellini 05 Cannavaro 19 Zambrotta 06 De Rossi 07 Pepe (Camoranesi, 46) 15 Marchisio (Pazzini, 61) 22 Montolivo 09 Iaquinta 11 Gilardino (Di Natale, 46)		New Zealand 01 Paston 03 Lochhead 04 Reid 06 Nelsen 19 Smith 05 Vicelich (Christie, 80) 07 Elliott 11 Bertos 09 Smeltz 10 Killen (Barron, 90+2) 14 Fallon (Wood, 62)
01 Buffon, 14 De Sanctis, 13 Bocchetti, 23 Bonucci, 02 Maggio, 08 Gattuso, 16 Camoranesi, 17 Palombo, 21 Pirlo, 10 Di Natale, 18 Quagliarella, 20 Pazzini		Substitutes: 12 Moss, 23 Bannatyne, 02 Sigmund, 17 Mulligan, 18 Boyens, 08 Brown, 13 Barron, 15 McGlinchey, 16 Clapham, 21 Christie, 20 Wood, 22 Brockie
Venue: Mbombela Stadium Referee: C Batres Attendance: 38,229

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