How would Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben fit in at AC Milan?

Serie A leaders have shown an interest in signing the Dutchman

It’s been just 10 days since word started to spread that AC Milan were showing an interest in Arjen Robben, but 10 days can be a long time in football.

It all started well enough as Bayern Munich battered Hamburg 6-0 at the Allianz Arena, but last Tuesday they squandered an away lead to crash out of the Champions League to Inter and within hours their Dutch winger was making his feelings known.

Having started the week by boasting that Bayern had their very own style of attacking play that the Nerazzurri couldn’t hope to match, by Thursday he was blasting his own defenders for “making too many individual mistakes that can easily be prevented”, and warning the club hierarchy that a season in the Europa League would be “the worst thing that could happen – it'd be better not to play at all”.

Suddenly the prospect of him joining the Rossoneri gained credence. Originally little more than a conversation with countryman and Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel, Bayern's disastrous season - which currently sees them outside of the Bundesliga's Champions League places - means that the potential for a move must be countenanced. And there are plenty of reasons to believe he’ll fit in at Milanello too.

With the bulk of the squad having played in Leonardo’s self-anointed “4-2-crazy” formation last season, there is certainly the potential to play attacking football and ply Robben with enough possession to satisfy his appetite. And the Brazilian’s successor at the San Siro, Massimiliano Allegri, has shown already in dispensing with the services of Ronaldinho that he is more than ready to discard superstar names for the benefit of the club, meaning their current wealth of attackers could well be cut back to allow the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man to flourish.

The one thing that can surely be guaranteed if Robben does arrive in Lombardy is a link-up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but beyond those two it’s fair to say that attacking positions could well be up for grabs. Though Alexandre Pato is generally considered a sure starter, there is talk that he could be allowed to leave in the summer. If he were to stay in a squad including Robben he may well be left fighting for one of the last two attacking slots with Robinho, Antonio Cassano and possibly even Kevin-Prince Boateng. It may be that in some games there may even be only one spot available if Allegri goes with a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2, but Robben is good enough and flexible enough to fit into most formations, which Allegri and Milan will welcome.

But would Robben actually want to play in Serie A? The Diavoli are one of the squads best equipped to play flair football, and the wide man has shown a tendency to try new leagues and new cultures having already played in England, Spain and Germany since leaving his native Netherlands. Goal.com's Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney believes that Robben will remain in Bavaria this summer, but if Bayern don't get their act together and at least finish in the top three then a transfer to the fashion capital of Milan is more than a possibility.

AC Milan with Robben - the possible setups

4-2-3-1	4-3-2-1
Abbiati Abate - Nesta - Thiago Silva - Zambrotta Van Bommel - Boateng/Pirlo Robben - Cassano - Robinho Ibrahimovic	Abbiati Abate - Nesta - Thiago Silva - Zambrotta Boateng - Van Bommel - Pirlo/Ambrosini Robben - Robinho/Cassano Ibrahimovic
The most regular formation if Milan hold onto all of the forwards currently on their roster. Robben may be asked to occasionally play from the left to accommodate Pato in a more familiar right-sided role. Best time to use: Most Serie A games, Champions League home games	Providing extra support in the midfield, this setup would allow Milan to give Robben more freedom if anything given the extra numbers in behind him. There'd be little room for big names though. Best time to use: Champions League away games, key Serie A away games
4-3-3	4-4-2 (4-2-2-2)
Abbiati Abate - Nesta - Thiago Silva - Zambrotta Boateng - Van Bommel - Pirlo/Ambrosini Robben - Ibrahimovic - Robinho	Abbiati Abate - Nesta - Thiago Silva - Zambrotta Van Bommel - Pirlo/Boateng Robben                             Robinho Pato - Ibrahimovic
Similar to the 4-3-2-1, but with Robben and Robinho pushing higher up alongside Ibrahimovic to ensure the Swede doesn't get isolated as can happen at times. Best time to use: Serie A games against mid-table sides, or Champions League home games when high pressing is needed.	A twist on the modern classic as often employed by the Brazilian national side. Robben and Robinho would be given the freedom to practically make a 4-2-4 when Milan are in possession. Best time to use: Serie A away games, some Champions League away games.

 

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Ronaldo travels to Milan to try and become Alexandre Pato's agent - report

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Recently retired Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has travelled to Milan to convince compatriot Alexandre Pato to sign with and be represented by his company, '9ine'.

Lancenet reports that Ronaldo and his partner Marcus Buaiz at '9ine' have gone to meet with the Brazil international forward and will hold talks with the 21-year-old.

Pato is currently recovering from an injury but the two parties will hold talks on Wednesday.

Last week the former Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid striker revealed his desire to make a career as an agent and expressed his interest in representing young Brazilian talent.

Ronaldo has already signed a deal with Kaka and now wants to have Pato on his books as well.

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Chelsea and Inter target Ganso has reqested a move to Europe - Santos club president

Brazilian side has no intention of lowering asking price

Santos attacking midfielder Ganso has stalled on a new deal because he is eager to play in Europe, the Brazilian club have confirmed.

The issue of his contract was the centre of discussions in a meeting between the club's president, Luis Alvaro Ribeiro, director of football Pedro Luis Conceicao, and the 21-year-old's entourage which included his brother and father.

However, Santos were informed by Ganso's representatives during the negotiations that the player would prefer a switch to Europe, rather than sign a new deal at the Peixe.

"Santos admit that in a certain period, we have to let the player go," president Ribeiro told Lancenet.

"He left here knowing the ball is in his court and we know he wants to play abroad. But, we have no intention to lower a transfer fee as we do not want to sell him."
Chelsea, Inter and AC Milan have recently been linked with the hotshot, who has been scoring for fun at Santos.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are believed to have previously monitored other Brazilian stars Neymar and Alexandre Pato, while 17-year-old Lucas Piazon is set to join the club from Sao Paulo.

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AC Milan and Inter not the only teams left in Serie A title race - Massimo Moratti

Chief warns of Napoli threat

 Massimo Moratti has made it clear that the battle for the Serie A title is not a two-horse race between AC Milan and Inter.

The world champions have narrowed the gap behind AC Milan to two points in recent weeks, but third-placed Napoli are trailing the leaders by only three points, while Udinese are currently six points behind.

"I wouldn't say that Milan and Inter are the only two teams left in the Scudetto race. We are closing in but I get the impression that Napoli are playing well," Moratti was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"This year it's a great championship and great fun because there are three teams in the running. Milan looked like they had opened up a gap but now Napoli are very close too."

Moratti also insists that it's too early to talk about the derby with AC Milan after the international break.

He said: "The derby is a match in itself. There's no point thinking about it now though. The important thing is how the players react when they take to the pitch and their state of mind."

 

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Gennaro Gattuso insists ‘worried’ AC Milan must prepare well for derby with Inter

Midfielder says it will be strange seeing Leonardo on opposition bench

 

Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that AC Milan are worried after dropping points against Bari and Palermo, and will be aiming to prepare well for their derby against Inter.

Both the Inter and Napoli have been able to close the gap on the Serie A leaders at the top of the table in recent weeks.

"We have left points by the road, not winning against Bari and losing to Palermo despite not being a bad match," the 33-year-old was quoted as saying to Itasportpress. "The result of this is that the Scudetto race has re-opened.

"I cannot hide the fact that we are somewhat worried, but we now must think about the derby, knowing that is a match we must prepare well."

Gattuso also says it will be a weird feeling having former coach Leonardo on the opposition bench.

"It will be strange to see Leonardo on the other side," he added. "But he is getting good results.

"For me, he will be just a rival." 

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AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso would prefer Kaka return over move for Manchester City's Mario Balotelli

Midfielder expects Nesta to continue playing for another 2 or 3 years

 AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has admitted he would like to see Real Madrid ace Kaka return to the San Siro.

The Brazilian, who is currently suffering from an ongoing knee problem, has long been linked with a return to the Rossoneri after failing to settle at the Bernabeu.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is also thought to be on the horizon for Milan, but when asked who he would prefer to see at the club next season, Gattuso selected his former team-mate.

"Kaka, he made history with Milan and if he is loved so much it means he did well. We are waiting for him," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Defender Alessandro Nesta has hinted that he could retire at the end of the season - but Gattuso is of the opinion that he will play on for a while yet, adding: "He is playing on the injury story. He will stop in two or three years like myself."

 

 

 

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AC Milan are my first option this summer - Premier League target Taye Taiwo

Nigerian delighted Serie A club have shown their interest

 

Marseille defender Taye Taiwo has revealed that AC Milan are his first option this summer.

The Nigeria international, whose contract with the Ligue 1 side runs out at the end of the season, recently revealed that he will be leaving the club.

Taiwo's situation at Marseille hasn't gone unnoticed elsewhere in Europe and AC Milan are among the teams believed to be keeping tabs on the left-back.

"I'm very pleased that Milan have shown an interest in signing me. Milan are my first option when I leave Marseille this summer," the 25-year-old told Canal Foot Club.

Taiwo, who has been linked with moves to Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United, joined Marseille from Lobi Stars in January 2005 and has since made over 200 official appearances for the reigning Ligue 1 champions.

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