Beckham included on AC Milan's UEFA Cup list

MILAN – David Beckham's impressive play for AC Milan has been rewarded with him being included on the team's 25-man roster for the UEFA Cup, with coach Carlo Ancelotti calling the player "indispensable" to his team.

With Beckham set to return to the Los Angeles Galaxy when his loan period finishes on March 8, he will only be eligible for two games against Werder Bremen on Feb. 18 and Feb. 26.

"We have included Beckham in the UEFA Cup list because he is doing very well. We want to take advantage of his form for the two games against Werder Bremen," Ancelotti said.

"Beckham is becoming an indispensable player for this team and he has earned it through his talent," Ancelotti added.

Since joining Milan, Beckham has scored two goals and set up two of Milan's scores in their 3-1 win over Lazio on Sunday night.

He has started all five matches since his arrival.

We're desperate to keep Beckham, admit Milan

by Barnaby Chesterman Barnaby Chesterman – Sun Feb 1, 9:27 pm ET

ROME (AFP) – AC Milan admitted that they're desperate to keep David Beckham at the San Siro, giving the former England skipper a resounding endorsement by adding him to their UEFA Cup squad.

Beckham played another starring role for Milan by setting up two of the three goals in a 3-0 victory over Lazio at the Olympic Stadium.

The win meant Milan remain unbeaten in the five matches since the 33-year-old joined on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder has also scored twice and such has been his influence that he has been included in the 25-man squad for the UEFA Cup knockout stages, even though he will only be able to play in the next round if he does return to the USA on March 9 as anticipated.

"We've put him on the UEFA list because we have a contract and he's doing very well," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"I want to pick him for the two matches against Werder Bremen."

Vice-president Adriano Galliani has also been singing Beckham's praises.

"We're desperate to sign him and I will keep hoping until the last possible moment," said Galliani.

"When he first came to us I thought he would do well but I never thought to such a degree.

"It would be terrible to lose him so we'll make little overtures to try to keep hold of him and then our fans can have a great party when Beckham stays."

It's not just the club hierarchy who have been impressed with the former England captain's contribution, his team-mates have too.

Midfield playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who has had to give up much of the deadball duties to the new arrival, has only positive things to say about Beckham.

"He's an intelligent guy, he plays football on instinct, has fitted in well and is helping us out," said Pirlo.

Beckham has refused to discuss his long-term future, preferring to concentrate on helping his new team cut Inter Milan's six-point lead at the top.

"I love coming to Rome," said Beckham about his man-of-the-match performance in the capital.

"We needed to win this match so I'm very happy with that. It's important to keep the pressure on Inter because they're the leaders and they're playing good football."

With the Milan derby only two weeks away, that match could take on even greater significance if Milan can keep close to their city rivals, although Beckham said he and his team won't get ahead of themselves.

"It's important not to worry too much about other teams. If we win our games then we have a chance of catching the leaders," he added.

"It (the derby) is a big game and I'm looking forward to it but the most important game is next week's and when we've played that game we'll think about the derby."

Ibrahimovic: Inter Milan not Ibra-dependent

26.01.09 | tribalfootball.com

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is pleased with Inter Milan's victory over Sampdoria.

Watching from the stands, the super Swede declared: "It shows that Inter are not 'Ibra-dependent'.

"Whoever plays, you always expect them to do their very best. Even the players not in the team.

"Now I am rested and looking forward to our next game on Wednesday."

Search: Inter's Adriano banned for three matches for punch

MILAN - Inter Milan striker Adriano has been banned for three matches after throwing a punch in Sunday's 1-0 win over Sampdoria, the Italian league said on Monday.

The incident involving Samp's Daniele Gastaldello in the penalty area was missed by the referee but a league statement said the decision had been reached using television evidence.

Adriano scored the winner on the stroke of halftime to re-establish Inter's three-point lead at the top of Serie A despite a nervous display.

The big Brazilian has been in and out of the Inter side this season after irritating coach Jose Mourinho with a perceived lack of commitment.

Mourinho has also been banned for Wednesday's game at Catania after being sent from the dugout just before Adriano's goal for arguing with the officials.

Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the Samp game through suspension but is available again for the trip to Sicily.

AC Milan's Ronaldinho was suspended for three Italian Cup games earlier this month after television replays showed him throwing an elbow in the 2-1 defeat by Lazio in the last 16.

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Beckham hints at staying with AC Milan

ROME, Italy (AFP) – David Beckham left the door open to a possible long-term stay at AC Milan after scoring his first goal in Italian football in a 4-1 win at Bologna.

The victory kept Milan in the title hunt, trailing leaders and city rivals Inter Milan by six points.

Playing only his third match for Milan, Beckham wrapped things up on the hour mark with Milan's fourth, a rocket that beat Francesco Antonioli at his near post.

"I feel very good here. I arrived in a team that wanted me for years and I play for exceptional fans," said the former England captain.

"I'll stay here until March and then we'll see. Right now I'm focussed only on my football."

Beckham linked up with his Milan team-mates at the end of December before joining them on a mid-season warm weather training camp in Dubai.

He joined on loan from LA Galaxy and his deal is due to run out on March 8, after which he is expected back in Los Angeles for the start of the new Major League Soccer season.

However, he has been an instant hit in Milan for his industrious play on the right side of a three-man midfield and now the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player seems to be considering a longer stay in the Italian financial capital.

On Sunday, he struck from about 15 yards out to the right of goal to net his first successful strike for Milan.

"It was a truly special goal, just as it is special for me to be playing here," he told RAI TV.

"The important thing was to win so now we are even more confident ahead of Wednesday's game (against Genoa)."

Milan have been a more balanced and effective outfit since Beckham joined, something they had lost since Gennaro Gattuso was injured.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is keen to keep him at the club but admits that it is out of his hands.

"It's up to him what happens. Our hands are tied because he is locked into a very precise contract," said Ancelotti.

"But as long as we have him at our disposal I see no reason not to take advantage of that because he's giving us a lot."

It's not just Beckham's presence on the right side of a three man midfield that is working well for Ancelotti, but another switch also seems to have paid dividends.

Rather than playing Kaka behind Pato and Ronaldinho, Ancelotti has pushed Kaka further forward, dropped Ronaldinho to the bench and is playing veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf in the hole behind the front two.

Massimo Ambrossini is bringing some steel to the midfield.

"Right now we're playing with great effectiveness because we're making the most of Kaka and Pato's pace," said Ancelotti.

"Seedorf gives us more cover (than Ronaldinho) but we haven't forgetten when the Brazilian was playing well over the first half of the season."

However, it seems the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player is paying for poor discipline.

"He was the one who did the least work in Dubai but in the future he can once again play with and Pato Kaka," said the coach.

He may have to wait a while, though.

If things continue in this vein, Ancelotti, who celebrated 400 games in charge of Milan against Bologna, believes his side has what it takes to be champions for the first time since 2004.

"If we carry on along this path we can win the championship," he said. "The problem right now is finding consistency."

We move forward with or without Kaka - Ancelotti

MILAN, Jan 16 (Reuters) - AC Milan will move forward whether they keep hold of Kaka or not, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Manchester City are talking with Milan about a possible deal and media reports say the Premier League club have bid at least 100 million euros ($133 million) for the Brazilian.

"Talks are happening. I hope I can coach him for the long term. But if he leaves our objectives do not change," Ancelotti told a news conference. "Our squad remains competitive even if we must lose a great player."

The playmaker said earlier this week he wanted to "grow old" at Milan but City have sounded confident that they can persuade the Serie A club to sell the 26-year-old.

"It is a decision that will have to be made by the club together with the player," Ancelotti added.

"The club is considering the offer that has been presented. It is normal that great importance is attached to him given the role he has at Milan."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani met City officials to discuss Kaka's future on Tuesday and media speculation has since gone into overdrive despite no outcome to the talks.

City, in the bottom of half of the Premier League and with very limited pedigree in England let alone Europe, are the richest club in the world after being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

Ancelotti said they deserved to bid for the world's top players as much as anyone else.

"You couldn't imagine it 20 years ago. Big investors are entering football and therefore it is normal and correct to consider (the bid)," he said.

Milan finished fifth in Serie A last season meaning Kaka, signed from Sao Paulo in 2003, is not playing in the Champions League this term having inspired the Rossoneri to the trophy in 2007.

"We must get back into the Champions League and win the UEFA Cup," added Ancelotti, whose side are third in Serie A.

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