Pro Eleven Headline News
Inzaghi breaks Portsmouth's hearts
AC Milan's veteran striker Pippo Inzaghi netted a last-minute equaliser to deny Tony Adams a first home win as Portsmouth manager in a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.
Inzaghi, who had earlier hit the woodwork three times, pounced on a loose ball with less than a minute on the clock to earn a point and ensure Milan's safe passage into the knockout stages of the tournament.
It was Inzaghi's 65th career goal in European competition.
Portsmouth had a two-goal margin until the final eight minutes after Younes Kaboul and Kanu netted which woke Milan from a slumber as Ronaldinho's fabulous free-kick provided a platform for poacher Inzaghi to break English hearts.
"I'm delighted with my team's performance. I thought they were excellent tonight and it was a really really positive performance," said Adams.
"We are struggling to put teams to bed but they have some excellent players and if you switch off, they punish you."
Adams's squad was stretched to breaking point as the Portsmouth manager was missing five first team players, so much so he did not have enough substitutes to fill his bench.
Kanu, once of Inter Milan, was handed a first start of the season following Jermain Defoe's withdrawal with a back problem.
Adams would have cast an envious eye towards Carlo Ancelotti as Milan's coach was afforded the luxury of making nine changes from the weekend game against Torino with Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldinho all named as substitutes.
Portsmouth's tactics of quick passing couple with some dynamic wing-play from Glen Johnson and Armand Traore was evident early on as the Frenchman burst down the left before his cross found its way to Papa Bouba Diop who shot well wide.
Milan appeared content to rely on the counter-attack and they won a dangerous looking free-kick on 11 minutes when Diop crudely brought down Mathieu Flamini.
Andriy Shevchenko's effort rebounded off the wall before squirming its way into Inzaghi whose left-footed shot on the turn beat David James but clipped the post.
Portsmouth though grew in stature and confidence as the old legs of Kanu began to exert influence on the game.
Milan were shocked into retaliation as Gennaro Gatusso's through-ball clipped off the feet of Kaboul, lifting it over Sylvain Distin and into Inzaghi in space.
The former Italian international did everything right lobbing the on-rushing James but the ball clipped agonisingly off the top of the crossbar.
Just after the hour Portsmouth had the lead as a Johnson free-kick from deep was not cleared allowing Kanu to return a pass to the England international. The full-back's cross found the towering figure of Kaboul to power a header past Dida.
Seedorf was introduced as Ancelotti desperately strived to restore some stability to his midfield which continued to crumble. As the Milan coach prepared to introduce Ronaldinho and Pato they were two down.
Johnson sent a perfect low cross into Kanu who wrapped his gangling legs around the ball to score his first goal since May's FA Cup Final win at Wembley.
A Seedorf cross led to Inzaghi striking the woodwork once more, this time with a diving header but a hush soon descended across a fervent Fratton Park as Ronaldinho picked his spot in James' top corner from 30 yards on 84 minutes.
As nerves were shredded Portsmouth retreated further back and their passing rhythm and control withered away in the face of Ronaldinho and Seedorf's ability.
With less than a minute to go the pressure finally told as a long-ball hoisted into the area found its way to Inzaghi who netted from close-range.
Didier Drogba speaks out over his 'unhappiness'
Didier Drogba has added to the feeling that his departure from Chelsea is inevitable by describing the past six months as the worst of his career. The Ivory Coast striker has been troubled by injury and suspension since he was sent off in Chelsea’s Champions League final defeat by Manchester United in May and has yet to score in a leading competition this season.
In an interview recorded before his reported meeting with Inter Milan in London on Monday, Drogba openly admitted his unhappiness, without expressing a desire to leave. Inter Milan are expected to make a bid next summer and could get him for as little as £5 million, because he will have only one year remaining on his contract. “This has been the toughest six months of my career,” Drogba said.
“But I’ve been through difficult moments before, so I know how to get myself out of these. It’s been difficult, but I can’t lose and I won’t lose my happiness. It’s not possible. That’s what gives me the power on the pitch and the energy to score and to play.
“You always have to learn and I’m learning every day from different situations: from this coin situation, from the red card in the Champions League. I’m always learning.”
Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, suggested yesterday that the forward was keen to move to Italy. “I believe the desire [to move] is more from the player than anybody else,” he said. “I don’t know about the meeting, but I will get an explanation.”
Drogba is not thought to have any specific problems with Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, although he is still close to José Mourinho, the Inter coach, and would relish the chance to work with him again. Rather, the 30-year-old resents being blamed for the Champions League final defeat. “It was very difficult because people said, ‘Ah, if he’d been on the pitch, he would have taken the fifth penalty and Chelsea would have won the game,’ ” he said.
“Even if I took this penalty, I could have missed it and then lose the game. It’s easy to say Drogba is guilty for the loss instead of saying that Chelsea were unlucky.”
Inter Keen On Manchester United’s Tevez
There have been rumours that Inter director of sport Marco Branca and agent Jorge Mendes have traveled to England in order to start negotiations with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
But President Massimo Moratti has moved to deny the alleged interest in the Ivorian international, stressing that coach José Mourinho has already a strong array of hitmen at his disposal.
Nonetheless, Gazzetta dello Sport alleges this morning that Argentine marksman Carlos Tevez might also be on the Nerazzurri’s radar and they could try to lure him to the Stadio San Siro next year.
The 24-year-old’s loan deal with the Red Devils will run out next June and there is still no formal word over a completed transfer.
He is still tied to MSI, the holding company that first brought him to Europe in 2006, when he joined London side West Ham United.
Should Sir Alex Ferguson fail in his bid to extend the Argentine’s stay at Old Trafford, the Via Durini powers that be are reportedly ready to pounce with a mega contract proposal - with Spanish champions Real Madrid thought to be poised in a similar position.
AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf eyes Premier League move
The Dutchman, 32, would like to write a lucrative final chapter in his incredible career by moving to the Premier League.
And Seedorf, the only man to win the Champions League with three different clubs, will have a good chance for a closer look at English football when he lines up against Portsmouth in the Uefa Cup on Thursday.
"I would love to play in the Premier League," said the 32-year-old. "Which player wouldn't? It's one of the best leagues in the world. I'm happy at AC Milan but I never say never.
"The development of the Premier League over the last five years has been incredible. The football is exciting with much more quality. I love to watch it on television."
With Arsenal desperately short of experience in midfield, Arsene Wenger could view Seedorf as a shrewd short-term move, while a number of other sides will also be alerted by his potential availability.
The midfielder, who began his career at Ajax before moving to Real Madrid and Inter Milan, is not as mobile as in his peak. But he proved in Milan's 2006-07 Champions League success that he can still perform at the very highest level.
Milan's midfield options will soon swelled by the arrival of David Beckham, who will join the Serie A giants on loan in January.
With Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrossini and Emerson at the club, coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a balancing act to preserve harmony among so many celebrated players.
And Seedorf has already claimed Beckham will have to get used to life on the bench at the San Siro.
"The first goal is for him to get fit and in the best shape possible," said Seedorf. "Training with a club like AC Milan will definitely improve his game even if it's only from a training point of view. But I don't know if he'll play, that's another thing completely."
