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.

Inzaghi scores again, the team fights, reacts, but all that isn't enough to avoid defeat against Club America. Now comes Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea and some are already thinking about it...

(ON THE PHOTO: INZAGHI JUST BEFORE HITTING THE BALL TO MAKE IT 1-1)

ATLANTA - Everyone agrees that it was a real match, which could've been played in the league or a European competition. Against Club America both sets of players didn't hold back, but in any case they gave life to an enjoyable, not banal match, which entertained all the fans present at the Georgia Dome.

LEONARDO: "I didn't dislike the match. I can say the team didn't play badly, they reacted well when they conceded the goal and held on well from a physical point of view throughout the two halves. We are still in a preparation phase and we have also been travelling a lot. You could see that Club America are further in the preparations. They have been playing in the league for some time and this undoubtedly makes a difference. I am happy about Ronaldinho, because I saw him doing well until the end of the match. He gave consistency to his plays, he often put his team mates in a good condition to shoot or be dangerous. He has to continue like this. Pippo is the usual one, we are not discovering him now. He scored another goal and he will be extremely important for us this season.
The mentality of this team is growing, it's changing. I like to see that they look to play the ball deep quickly, but quick play should not be confused with haste, otherwise you make mistakes and the other team gets the ball back. It's right to have a high rhythm, a good ball circulation, but always with precision. Sometimes we have to play the ball more.
Now we face Chelsea. To begin I must admit perhaps Carlo (Ancelotti) and I will start laughing. It's strange to see and face each other after such a short time. I worked with him for many years, one beside the other and now we are opponents. For the rest we know how Chelsea play and we know they have big players. It won't be easy, but stimulating."

PIPPO INZAGHI: "I'm happy about my goal, but losing like this is too bad. It's true that we didn't have anything to play for, but it's never nice to lose even during training. I thank Mathieu for the assist, because he really played a great ball. Alongside me I had Zigoni, who I think is a very good lad. He can handle himself on the pitch and I think he is very interesting. Too bad about the two chances, otherwise we could have gotten at least a draw. Now it will be strange to meet Ancelotti, we'll greet each other and then we'll see how the match goes."

RONALDINHO: "It was nice to be named man of the match, it's a nice recognition. I feel good and I have to say I have fun when I play. Today I played both on the wing and behind the strikers. For me it's the same thing, because I played in both positions: as a winger at Barcelona, for three years and behind the strikers in the national team. Certainly playing as a playmaker is fun, because you touch a lot more balls and you're in the middle of the action. The crossbar on the free kick? Too bad, but you cannot move the woodwork. It will be up to me to be more precise!"

IGNAZIO ABATE: "I thank everyone for the compliments I received, but I only tried to interpret the words of the coach as well as possible. I am here to learn and make myself available. Tonight I was asked to play as a right wing player and cover most of the flank. I think I succeeded, moving forward to attack more than once. Too bad about the result, but they are a good team and they are also in an advanced phase of the league season. Now I will make myself available to the coach and we'll see what I'm able to give this season. Certainly a lot of hard work."

Before the second training session, there was the press conference of Oguchi Onyewu. He showed great availability, emotion, and good objectives. For him it's a great opportunity.

ATLANTA - He's a colossus, but beneath that mountain of muscles there is a gentle soul, as he even showed some emotion, despite being in his home. Oguchi Onyewu held his first press conference as a Rossoneri player at the Georgia Dome in front of many American journalists and a few Italian ones, all curious to know his intentions. A new and great adventure he does not want to fail. Here are the passages and his first declarations.

"I was very happy when I heard I was going to play with Milan. I must say I also got a bit emotional, because playing in such a prestigious club doesn't happen to anyone every day. Having arrived at Milan makes me happy because I can be useful to this club. I will try to help my team mates with my physicality, if necessary. These are also characteristics that are needed in a team.

I know Serie A very well, I consider it a difficult and competitive league. I am aware of the difficulties I will find, with so many good players. However, this brings competition and it's important for a team that has many ambitions, because it increases the level of attention.

Luis Fabiano did important and incredible things at the Confederations Cup. I know him well as we faced him in that competition and unfortunately we lost. As he is not a Milan player yet I don't think I should talk about him, out of respect for both parties, but if he came it would be nice.

Ibrahimovic is a great player. If I had to meet him I would try to stop him and do as well as possible. I have already faced him once, and he didn't score against me. It was with the national team. I don't know if I'll meet him, but I won't want to let him score.

I don't understand the whistles to Beckham. David is great. I did not go to Los Angeles to see the game, and I did not experience those moments myself. I know, however, that there were not just whistles, but also applause. Some experienced his return in one way, others in another way. David is a great and deserves respect."

Emotional awarding today at Milanello. Adriano Galliani gave Paolo Maldini the celebrative medal for his 900 appearences with Milan: 'I think this record will last forever.'

MILANELLO - Before the team's training session this afternoon, ahead of Milan-Roma, last home match of the season and last match at San Siro in Paolo Maldini's career, a very special awarding took place. Adriano Galliani gave the Rossoneri captain the celebrative medal (with which the club celebrates each player's 100th game) for his 900th appearence in Milan's shirt. Maldini reached this target last Saturday at the 'Friuli' against Udinese, in the stadium where he made his debut in 1985.

Adriano Galliani started the awarding as follows in front of Milan Channel's cameras: 'Paolo Maldini has reached the 900 game milestone in 24 years. From the first, on 20 January 1985 at Udine against Udinese to the 900th, again at Udine on 16 May 2009.'

After these declarations, the Rossoneri team, who had gathered in front of the captain and Milan's Delegate Administrator, a long applause was given. Galliani then said to the players' group: 'I told Paolo that he has time until 6 July to change his mind and try to reach 1000 games..."

Adriano Galliani then continued: 'I saw an interesting statistic. Each time Maldini reached a 100th game, he played an away game. The 100th, the 200th and so on until the 900th, all away from home. It's a very interesting thing. I think Paolo has no equals in the world and nobody managed to play 900 official games in the same team like him. I think this is an absolute record that will remain in history. I don't think there will ever be a player in an important team like Milan who manages to reach this amount of games. I have no abjectives to explain what we think of Paolo, the numbers speak for him. And then his characteristics, which are unique in the world.

Paolo Maldini has another luck: he and his father lifted the Champions League as Milan captains. They didn't just win it, but lifted it as champions, 40 years apart. This will probably never happen again. Maldini's career is simply incredible.'

At this point there was more applause for the captain, who thanked everyone and promised to talk about his emotions after tomorrow's game. 

“A very beautiful career of Paolo Maldini, crowned by many victories! For me the things are very clear with the club, I remain at 100%. Against Roma we will need to be balanced. THE DECLARATIONS OF CARLO ANCELOTTI.

MILAN – These are the declarations of Carlo Ancelotti during the press conference on the eve of Milan-Roma at San Siro on Sunday:

First topic is that of Paolo Maldini and his last match at San Siro tomorrow against Roma: “The fans will have to get used to football without Paolo Maldini. I think that Paolo's career represents a landmark for all of those who want to be footballers and all of those who believe in the loyalty, seriousness and professionalism of those who go on the pitch. Paolo had a very beautiful career, crowned by great victories and great seriousness. I don’t distinguish the Maldini-man from the Maldini-footballer, for me he's the same on and off the pitch. I had a great rapport with him, very nice and close. I think that in these eight years of stay at Milan, that I had a lot of help from Maldini. Tied to what he does normally every day. There wasn't a particular day where he came late, he always dedicated himself with great intensity, seriousness and consistency.

“It doesn’t make sense to make comparisons with Baresi, it’s nor fair to say that Paolo is an important loss, he did what he had to do in football, leaving an important trace which players like Nesta, Ambrosini and Pirlo will have to follow with facts.”

On Roma: “It’s been three years that Milan don’t defeat Roma at home, the Giallorossi have been competitive but they had big problems tied in certain ways to ours: many injuries which were not able to give continuity to their season. The Champions League target slipped away from us last week and I think that tomorrow we must not let it slip away again, in order to close the account. Tomorrow we shall try to put on the pitch all of our energy.

“Roma is giving the impression that it’s finding it difficult to end this season. Roma are after the sixth place, the last energies will be used tomorrow, but Milan is fine and are in a good form. We’re a bit tired, as chasing the Champions League tired us out, but there are still 10 days and it’s evident that we must pull out the last energies. At Udine there was an attitude which surprised us, especially the veolocity of Udinese. We’re in a good moment now. The atmosphere of uncertainty on the future and the participation to the Champions League is a very big objective for the players, who have suffered a lot not participating this year. The priority is this and represents a great motivation for everyone. Roma have dynamism and we will need balance to avoid the counter attack actions or simply the quick Roma moves. Tomorrow night Ronaldinho will not start from the first minute.”

On the future: "For me the things are very clear with the club and we shall continue to have them very clear. At the end when the accounts will be closed, we shall find the right solution. I'm the last one to indicate my substitute. The optimal solution for me is that of closing this season well because things must be done one by one.

"There are no contacts with Berlusconi, I don’t think that it annoyed him my contact with Abramovich. At the moment, I have no open situation with Chelsea, and at the end of the season if there will be the need to find a solution, we shall find it. Today the contract I have is valid. I'm ready for everything. I enjoy coaching, it’s a passion, not a work, it’s clear that I will say yes if they ask me if I want to coach Chelsea. Money is important, but not for me. I never asked a ‘thousand lira’ increase to Milan, the economic matter does not interest me when you’re fine in an environment, evemn though I think one must be evaluated for his qualities.

“Until June 30 2010, I’m the Milan coach. I know how the things are, I don’t see any fog, I see everything very clear. If I had to express myself in percentages, I would say that I would remain at Milan at 100% also next year. There was a very good feeling with the team, after eight years we’re still here talking, especially with the club, if it wasn’t so a coach would not last in Italy for that much. I repeat, I’m very calm, my preoccupations are others. I study English for the past two years because it helps me when I go on holiday abroad.”

The other topics: “Nesta has been very fine for the past two weeks, as he's been working every day with the team and he's well focused. The other injured players are recovery very well. With regards to David Beckham, I don't know exactly what agreements he made with the club. Differently from Maldini, he could return.

“It will be a nice final between Manchester and Barcelona. Repeating oneself in Europe is difficult, there's no team who won twice in a row. I think that Manchester have more chances than Barcelona. I will not go watch the final because I have another commitment…I’m going to watch a movie…(he laughs).”

At the 'Sony' event held tonight in Milan, Ricardo Kaká was present and he talked about the team's concentration on the match against Roma and reiterated his attachment to Milan.

(ON THE ARCHIVE PHOTO: RICKY KAKÁ)

MILAN - Here are the declarations made by Ricky Kaká on football topics during the 'Motionflow Night' event organised by Sony, of which he is a testimonial, held tonight at the Ippodromo del Galoppo in Milan:

ON THE MATCH AGAINST ROMA
"The week is going well, we are preparing very well and when you train the possibilities of winning on Sunday afternoon against Roma increase strongly."

ON ANCELOTTI'S FUTURE
"In the dressing room the voices on Carlo Ancelotti's future create no problems because there's been talk of a possible departure of his for a long time. Certainly these voices disappoint us, but at the moment we are all concentrated on Sunday's match against Roma, including the coach himself. Let's wait, on Monday we will know everything.
Personally I try not to say anything, there's a lot of speculation, but again, let's wait.
For me Ancelotti remains the best coach Milan could have, the team is happy with him and he is able to handle the dressing room like no one else.

"Juventus have brought in Ferrara, this means they want to give space to a new generation of coaches, it doesn't revalue Italian football. If Milan decided to aim for an emerging coach, it would also an opportunity for us to have a new cycle of young coaches.
In the past Milan have had many cycles of coaches and players, but always with the same president and the same management: this means that certainly there will be another winning cycle.
Just look at the positive example of Guardiola, no one expected much from him because he had only coached the B team of Barcelona, he brought the team into the Champions League final.
Van Basten? I would be happy to be coached by someone like him who made Milan's history. Tassotti? He's been us for many years and after winning so much he has made up a certain experience."

ON HIS FUTURE
"I am close to the club, certainly, also to the coach, but I have a contract with Milan until 2013 and not with Carlo Ancelotti. At the moment my contract says enough, any other transfer news regarding me will be discussed by the club. The offer from Manchester City in January was real, but if in the future the club receives other offers for me, it will be the club themselves who will say it. If they don't say anything it means there is no offer. As for me, I'm happy here. In the future many things can happen, but it's difficult to imagine me not being at Milan.
As I've said many times, as long as Milan and I have the same objectives, we will certainly come to an agreement."