AC Milan Blog

Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Fulham take on the unenviable task of playing Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.
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The Cottagers are coming off a 3-1 Europa League loss to Juventus whilst the Red Devils’ form is at the other end of the scale after they trounced AC Milan 4-0 in the Champions League with Wayne Rooney at it again scoring twice.

Schwarzer was left to try and keep out many attacks by Juve on Thursday night and came up short, for one of the only times this season, and the Craven Cottage faithful will be hoping Roy Hodgson’s can get at least a point and push towards a top-seven finish.

Elsewhere in the English Premier League, Richard Garcia will be hoping things go better for him in this meeting with Arsenal.

Last time the clubs met, the Aussie striker was trodden on by Samir Nasri causing an uproar amongst the Hull City players and officials and a scuffle ensued. It was the second time in two seasons that tempers had frayed between the Gunners and Tigers after the FA Cup fixture the year before when Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas allegedly spat at Hull assistant Brian Horton.
Hull host the high-flying Gunners, fresh off a 5-0 demolition of FC Porto in Europe, at KC Stadium on Saturday.

The Blackburn Rovers travel from Lancashire to London to take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane but will be without Vince Grella who hurt himself prior to a reserves hit-out during the week. His Socceroos teammate Brett Emerton played in that match and will be up for selection as the Rovers attempt to turn around their horrible away form this term.

And Everton continue to chase a top-seven spot but will have no Tim Cahill to take on Birmingham City at St Andrews.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger shrugged off Manchester United's 4-0 thumping of AC Milan.

England striker Wayne Rooney continued his fine form with a brace as the Italians were swept aside, losing 7-2 on aggregate.

Wenger, however, feels United's first-leg victory in Milan had done the real damage.

"It was not a surprise," the Arsenal manager said.

"Last night's game was never in doubt after the first leg, which put Milan in a position where they had to chase, go on a big gamble in the second leg, and of course Manchester United punished them.

"The decider was in the first game. In the heads of Milan, it was already all over."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger shrugged off Manchester United's 4-0 thumping of AC Milan.

England striker Wayne Rooney continued his fine form with a brace as the Italians were swept aside, losing 7-2 on aggregate.

Wenger, however, feels United's first-leg victory in Milan had done the real damage.

"It was not a surprise," the Arsenal manager said.

"Last night's game was never in doubt after the first leg, which put Milan in a position where they had to chase, go on a big gamble in the second leg, and of course Manchester United punished them.

"The decider was in the first game. In the heads of Milan, it was already all over."

David Weir is thrilled to see former Everton teammate Wayne Rooney fulfilling his potential at Manchester United.

Rangers defender Weir feels Rooney will replace Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the World Player of the Year - and fire United to more Premiership and Champions League glory.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I took my two sons to Old Trafford to watch the Milan game. They will not forget that occasion.

"They are football-mad and Wayne Rooney is one of the players they look up to. Since Cristiano Ronaldo left United, Wayne seems to have taken on more responsibility.

"He is not just a great goalscorer - although I know that some people only judge strikers in those terms, but 31 goals this season already prove he's passed that test. However, he is a great all-round player.

"If you asked him to play left back, he would probably make himself the best left back at the club. If there was a seed of doubt in anyone's mind about his ability to deliver on the biggest occasions of all, he did it twice against AC Milan.

"How many people get four goals in two games against them? This could be the perfect year for Wayne.

"He has the Champions League and Premier League with United and the World Cup with England - three big prizes and he's capable of winning everything. The kind of form Wayne is in right now, he is unplayable.

"If he makes his mark this year, he'll go down in history.

"Messi did that last year, on the back of Barcelona's great form. They won everything and Messi rightly got the World Player of the Year.

"Wayne is in front of everyone right now."

David Weir is thrilled to see former Everton teammate Wayne Rooney fulfilling his potential at Manchester United.

Rangers defender Weir feels Rooney will replace Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the World Player of the Year - and fire United to more Premiership and Champions League glory.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I took my two sons to Old Trafford to watch the Milan game. They will not forget that occasion.

"They are football-mad and Wayne Rooney is one of the players they look up to. Since Cristiano Ronaldo left United, Wayne seems to have taken on more responsibility.

"He is not just a great goalscorer - although I know that some people only judge strikers in those terms, but 31 goals this season already prove he's passed that test. However, he is a great all-round player.

"If you asked him to play left back, he would probably make himself the best left back at the club. If there was a seed of doubt in anyone's mind about his ability to deliver on the biggest occasions of all, he did it twice against AC Milan.

"How many people get four goals in two games against them? This could be the perfect year for Wayne.

"He has the Champions League and Premier League with United and the World Cup with England - three big prizes and he's capable of winning everything. The kind of form Wayne is in right now, he is unplayable.

"If he makes his mark this year, he'll go down in history.

"Messi did that last year, on the back of Barcelona's great form. They won everything and Messi rightly got the World Player of the Year.

"Wayne is in front of everyone right now."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he has no preference over their Champions League quarterfinal draw.

United are into the last eight after thrashing AC Milan.

"Overall, it was a great result and we are delighted to get through," said Rooney. "Now we can just look forward to the draw and see how it goes from there.

"There is no preference. They are all difficult games at this stage of the competition."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he has no preference over their Champions League quarterfinal draw.

United are into the last eight after thrashing AC Milan.

"Overall, it was a great result and we are delighted to get through," said Rooney. "Now we can just look forward to the draw and see how it goes from there.

"There is no preference. They are all difficult games at this stage of the competition."

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy is hoping his chance to push for Australian selection comes soon.

The 28-year old has consistently been one of the best shot-stoppers in the A-League over the past few seasons and has only got better since his switch from the Brisbane Roar to the Phoenix but he is keen to be given an opportunity by the national team to prove he has what it takes to be selected for the World Cup squad.

''I don't know why it hasn't happened - all I want is a chance to show the coaches what I can do,'' he said.

The 28-year old also has a big-name supporter in ex-Australia and AC Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac who believes he is worthy of Socceroos selection.

''To be honest, I'm surprised he's not had a look-in with the Socceroos,'' Kalac said.

Rumours linking Reddy with a three-year deal to join Sydney FC next season have gained traction and a deals is likely to be signed once this season’s finals series are complete.

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy is hoping his chance to push for Australian selection comes soon.

The 28-year old has consistently been one of the best shot-stoppers in the A-League over the past few seasons and has only got better since his switch from the Brisbane Roar to the Phoenix but he is keen to be given an opportunity by the national team to prove he has what it takes to be selected for the World Cup squad.

''I don't know why it hasn't happened - all I want is a chance to show the coaches what I can do,'' he said.

The 28-year old also has a big-name supporter in ex-Australia and AC Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac who believes he is worthy of Socceroos selection.

''To be honest, I'm surprised he's not had a look-in with the Socceroos,'' Kalac said.

Rumours linking Reddy with a three-year deal to join Sydney FC next season have gained traction and a deals is likely to be signed once this season’s finals series are complete.

Former Socceroos and AC Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac believes the change Sydney FC is set to make for next season is a good one.

Current goalkeeper Clint Bolton has been given permission to leave the club and duly signed a two-year deal with new club Melbourne Heart as the Sky Blues are set to secure the services of current Wellington Phoenix gloveman Liam Reddy on a three-year deal once the finals series is complete.

And Kalac, who is a big wrap for Reddy, says it is the perfect time for Sydney to make a change of this magnitude.

''For 'Boutsa' [Bolton] it's the perfect time for a change,'' said Kalac.

''He's been there for five years, and obviously last year was a difficult one because he lost his spot. But this season he's come back fighting, he's been in great form, and that's when you want to be leaving, when you're on a high.

''With Liam, they're getting a much younger [six years] keeper whom I've got a big rap on. And when you look at the difference Johnny Filan [Sydney FC goalkeeping coach] has made for 'Boutsa' this season, Liam is lucky to be coming into that environment.''