Milan, for fourth place (also) to keep Bakayoko

Il quarto posto, o meglio, i ricavi della Champions sono imprescindibili per il Milan. Rino Gattuso non può permettersi di fallire l’obiettivo: in ballo c’è il futuro del club e anche di alcuni giocatori. Come Bakayoko, ad esempio, il cui riscatto dal Chelsea - stando alle indiscrezioni di mercato - è legato proprio al raggiungimento della Champions League. Un motivo in più per sperare nel quarto posto.

Milan, the calendar of the last five days: direct confrontation with Torino in the next day

The European future of Milan will depend on the next five Serie A games. The Rossoneri will be immediately involved in a match with a high coefficient of difficulty, in Turin against the Granata driven by the Champions League dreams. I will then be the turn of a Bologna, at San Siro, reinvigorated by the arrival on the bench of the former Rossoneri Mihajlovic and Fiorentina on the road. The championship will be closed by two challenges against fighting teams, to date, for salvation: Frosinone and Spal, respectively at home and away.

TMW - Bakayoko, redemption is the priority for Milan to come

The Milan that will come and has to start from Tiemoué Bakayoko. Unbelievable, after the tragicomic beginning of the season. "He has to adjust his posture. We are working on it, it will not be easy" declared Genanro Ivan Gattuso after the median's first outing in the league, certainly not memorable. Biglia's injury allowed him to play in the role where he could best express himself and from being the central pivot of the midfield he was not only rehabilitated but became an indispensable player for the team's balance. 35 million is the figure that Milan must pay to redeem it from Chelsea. To date an enormity, given the question mark on qualifying in the Champions League and the ax of Financial Fair Play. There are few doubts in society: to be competitive, you need to start retaining the best. A discount will be asked, hoping for good relations between the two clubs as shown by the Higuain deal in January. And the fact that today Bakayoko is not part of the blues technical project. Also in this case the cards on the table could change in the very probable case, that the Londoners change technical guide. In that case it will depend a lot on who will sit.

Musacchio, the confirmation will pass from the end of the championship

Mateo Musacchio is a future yet to be written. The Argentine had started the season as a starter, then losing the place in favor of Zapata but regaining it after the injury to the Colombian. In the last part of the season, the Milanese number 22 did not shine for continuity and for this reason its future is unclear today. His confirmation in the Rossoneri will depend on the performances until the end of the season. If these are not convincing, Milan could be forced to tackle a more reliable defender.

TMW - Present and future of Higuain. Between Chelsea, Juventus and FIFA penalties

"The situation is not clear, I would certainly like to keep it but it depends on this club and depends on Juventus". To talk about the present and future of Gonzalo Higuain we must start from here, from the words of Maurizio Sarri pronounced a handful of days ago in a conference at Chelsea. First, however, it is useful to rewind the tape a few months.

HISTORY - On 2 August 2018, Higuain was loaned an annual loan by Juventus to Milan, for 18 million euros, with the right of redemption in favor of the Rossoneri set at 36 million. His experience with the Rossoneri, characterized by 8 goals in 22 appearances, turns out to be tormented and below expectations, to the point of no return. On 16 January, Pipita disputed only the last twenty minutes of the Italian Super Cup match lost in Jeddah against Juventus, officially due to the precarious physical conditions, unofficially because it was at the center of a market "case". It will be his last presence in the Rossoneri: on 23 January 2019 Milan and Juventus agree to terminate the loan early and at the same time the player passes with the same formula to Chelsea (which takes over the conditions of Milan).

PRESENT AND FUTURE - The present, as mentioned, is all in the words of Sarri and in the numbers of the Argentine who - despite the change of shirt (and championship) - still have difficulty taking off. The first impact with the Blues was positive, but the attacker's future is far from obvious. Attendance as a holder and playing time are swooping, even though Chelsea's Premier and Europa League season finale could give Pipita another chance (and satisfaction). Regardless of a ransom that, in any case, seems difficult in terms of form and figures. And because of a FIFA embargo on the incoming market against the same London club that - if confirmed - could also be decisive (in negative) for the fate of the Argentine bomber.

Milan, the absence of Paquetà was heard in the field: Gattuso awaits him for Lazio

Lucas Paquetà got injured in Milan-Udinese, making up for a bad sprained ankle. Milan in the next three races paid a lot for the Brazilian's absence in terms of imagination and quantity, struggling to express their game to the fullest. For this reason, Gennaro Gatttuso awaits his return to the conditions for the Coppa Italia match against Parma.

The Lazio disaster also affects the future: in Genoa without two cornerstones

At the end of a Saturday that gave Lazio the worst possible result (even if on the other fields the contenders for the Champions do not run, on the contrary, they struggle even to scrape together the point), Simone Inzaghi must look back with great concern. Not only because of the drop in concentration that cost very dear in the internal match against Chievo Verona, already relegated and with nothing left to ask for in the league, as well as stuffed with young people, but above all for the absences with which the team will have to go and play a game fundamental, next weekend, in Genoa against Sampdoria. The absolutely avoidable expulsions of Milinkovic Savic and Luis Alberto take away from the coach the two best performers of the past season, even more than Ciro Immobile. Without them and without their unique characteristics, the Biancocelesti will have to try to redeem an internal fool against a furious opponent after the defeat against Bologna, and aware of playing for Europe's last remaining chances, not the direct clash against Lazio.

Milan, the 2009 Chicks committed to the "Tatain" tournament. The history of the cup

CARLO DALLE LUCCHE "TATAIN"

The Tournament was born in 2011 to commemorate Carlo Dalle Lucche, known as Tatain, remembered by Sarzanese sportsmen and all over Val di Magra for his splendid technical skills but also by his sympathy and simplicity. In the fifties Tatain was one of the "terrible boys" of the GS La Proletaria, a mythical company that revived the sports scene of the city of Sarzana by winning five championships (four juniors and one first division) under the guidance of G. Samueli, before , and of P. Paolo Bernardini, then.

Later he played in various amateur societies in the province, always demonstrating his splendid technical skills.

.... FROM 2011 TO TODAY

Tarros Sarzanese decided to organize the first National Tatain Tournament in January 2012. The event, which takes place on Easter and Easter Monday, is played in the two fields of the company, the M. Luperi Stadium and the P field Berghini, with great participation from all managers and volunteers (about 80). A total of 36 teams participate in the first year, 24 of which are amateurs who compete on the Palms weekend to form the grid that will form the various groups that will have the 12 professional players as seeded, including Juventus, Bologna, Parma, Turin and Verona. The 2001 category was won by Bologna, in 2002 the Prato won while, in 2003, the trophy was won by Juventus.

In 2013 the requests for participation in the second edition are many: Juventus, Turin, Bologna and Verona double their teams and even the amateur ones far exceed those of 2012 so as to force the organizers to make a pre tournament with preliminary rounds. Verona won in 2002, Juventus in 2003 and Torino in 2004.

The third edition sees the event become an International Tournament, thanks to the participation of the Debrecen Honved Hungarians and the OFK Belgrade Serbs.

Before the final phase the qualifications are made (Pre-Tatain) which are played as heads of Avegno (GE), in Camaiore (LU) and in Sarzana. The total number of participating companies (including the final phase) is 100! In 2003 they won in Turin, in 2004 in Parma and in 2005 in Juventus.

In 2015 the organizing committee extended the final phase to 18 teams per year, developing the tournament in three days. The Hungarians of Honved D. win in 2004, in 2005 ex fair Chievo Verona Turin and Juventus and in 2006 Milan.

In the fifth edition we return to the two-day formula and the organization is forced to accept only the teams that will register first, leaving out many amateur but also professional companies. Turin, Sampdoria and Fiorentina win in the various categories.

In 2017 the Tournament becomes International, having joined for the first time a non-European foreign team: the Academy Juventus of Miami. It is also the first time for a Portuguese team: the Academica Coimbra. Empoli wins in the First Kicks (formerly Chicks 1st year), Roma in Chicks 1st year (formerly Chicks 2nd year) and Chievo Verona in Chicks 2nd year (former Chicks 3rd year).

In 2018 the formula of recent years is consolidated and Rome in 2009, Genoa in 2008 and Novara in 2007 win the events.

This year the Tournament is in its eighth edition and the format is changed from three to one year, 2009. The teams are 32 and the matches are played in 4 days, from Good Friday to Monday of the Angel. Milan joins the tournament for the second time and the level of foreign companies rises; in fact, West Ham, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven and Lokomotiv Moscow participate. Unfortunately, this event is totally borne by the company with the contribution of small sponsors and without the participation of local institutions.

Race to the dream Champions: all the challenges and intersections of Serie A

Tomorrow Napoli-Atalanta closes the thirty-third day, then five at the end of the grand ball of the Serie A. It is a race for Europe more convulsive than ever that of the Italian top flight. At the bottom, all the challenges that are lacking: in the next competition to be thrilled between Inter and Juventus, a direct clash between Turin and Milan, then also that between Sampdoria and Lazio.

33rd day

April 22 - Naples-Atalanta

34th day

27 April - Rome-Cagliari

27 April - Inter-Juventus

April 28 - Turin-Milan

April 28 - Sampdoria-Lazio

April 29 - Atalanta-Udinese

35th day

May 4 - Udinese-Inter

May 4 - Juventus-Turin

May 5 - Lazio-Atalanta

May 5 - Genoa-Rome

May 5 - Parma-Sampdoria

6 May - Milan-Bologna

36th day

11 May - Fiorentina-Milan

11 May - Atalanta-Genoa

11 May - Cagliari-Lazio

12 May - Turin-Sassuolo

12 May - Sampdoria-Empoli

12 May - Rome-Juventus

May 13 - Inter-Chievo

37th day

18 May - Sassuolo-Rome

19 May - Naples-Inter

19 May - Milan-Frosinone

May 19 - Juventus-Atalanta

19 May - ChievoVerona-Sampdoria

19 May - Empoli-Turin

May 20 - Lazio-Bologna

38th day

26 May - Inter-Empoli

26 May - SPAL-Milan

26 May - Atalanta-Sassuolo

26 May - Rome-Parma

26 May - Turin-Lazio

26 May - Sampdoria-Juventus

The two lights at the end of the Rossoneri tunnel: the return of the samba and the slow progress of the opponents

The draw of Bruno Alves at the 88th minute of Parma-Milan was a blow for the Rossoneri, who already looked forward to a "dirty" victory after a badly played game: they would have been three key points in the Champions League, such as to keep the distances with opponents. However, the same Rossoneri rivals proved to be anything but exceptional: Lazio essentially committed suicide at home against already demoted Chievo, while Roma, who took the lead with Inter, failed to maintain the advantage and made it resume in the second half. Waiting for Atalanta, committed tomorrow in Naples, the only one to win was the Torino, which remains 3 points behind the Rossoneri.

MILAN UGLY BUT FOURTH - Even if the Bergamo team wins at San Paolo Milan will maintain fourth place, still having full control over the Champions League placement. Good news at the end of the tunnel into which the Devil has slipped, in obvious difficulty in bringing home the results and showing off a game that is at least decent. Gattuso's lineup was far from brilliant in Parma, where he should have approached the race with completely different hunger and tenacity. The next challenge, at the Olimpico against Torino, will be an exam that should not fail: Milan will necessarily have to win and give an important signal to the championship.

GREEN LIGHT - What can shake up a semi-sleeping Milan? The return of Paquetà, yesterday called but not replaced, can be the real keystone for this season finale. More than Piatek, fundamental with his goals, the Brazilian was the true tactical (and qualitative) differential of this 2019: the former Flamengo revolutionized the Rossoneri maneuver, turning a static midfield into a well-matched and effective trio. The same Calhanoglu, decidedly disappointing in the first part of the season, had found its size in the interchanges with the class of '97, falling dramatically once the green-gold slowed down and then stopped due to injury. With the Brazilian Gattuso could re-propose the best alignment of the last few months, or venture the form with the midfielder who had performed well in the first half of Milan-Udinese. A resource to rely on to try to shake up this fight where no one seems to want to take the decisive step.

Higuain: "I don't regret having left Naples"

"I don't regret having left Naples". Thus Gonzalo Higuain. At a complicated moment in his career, the Chelsea striker told ESPN: "It's been years, everyone thinks what he wants, but I think I have chosen correctly. In this moment of life, nothing touches me, I don't "Interest in what people say. They only see if you score goals, because they pay us for it. They judge us only if we score, it seems a bit exaggerated."

Serie A: next round

(ANSA) - ROME, APRIL 21 - The matches of the 34th matchday of the Serie A soccer championship that will take place in the next weekend: Bologna-Empoli, Saturday 27th April at 3pm (Sky); Rome-Cagliari, Saturday 27 April at 18 (Sky); Inter-Juventus Saturday, April 27 at 20.30 (Dazn); Frosinone-Naples, Sunday 28 April at 12.30 (Dazn); Chievo-Parma, Sunday, April 28 at 3 pm (Dazn); Spal-Genoa, Sunday April 28th at 3pm (Sky); Sampdoria-Lazio, Sunday April 28th at 6pm (Sky); Turin-Milan, Sunday, April 28 at 20.30 (Sky); Atalanta-Udinese, Monday 29 April at 7pm (Sky); Fiorentina-Sassuolo, Monday 29 April at 9pm (Sky).

CorSera - San Siro, vibrations to the third ring: the clubs ask the commission

Yesterday the third San Siro ring hosted the Roma fans, who positioned themselves differently than usual: a little more decentralized, near the tower. Inter talks about the provision of the Prefecture and Gos (security operating group), who decide on the basis of criteria regarding public order, to control the ultra-law and prevent possible accidents. In short, it would not be a measure taken after the oscillations detected during Inter-Atalanta. The third ring, according to all the verifications of the Municipality, has no structural problems and the fact that it vibrates and waves is not an anomaly at all. However, Milan and Inter do not want to take any risks. This is why the intervention of the supervisory commission was requested, the provisions of which the Rossoneri club will stick to on Wednesday, when about 4,000 Lazio fans will arrive at the San Siro.

Milan, Cutrone in doubt for the Italian Cup

To evaluate the conditions of Cutrone in view of the Coppa Italia match against Lazio. The Rossoneri striker came out badly from the Parma away match (he hits the hip) and is in doubt for the match scheduled for Wednesday at San Siro.

Gazzetta - Milan without ideas, lacking quality in midfield. Paquetá would have been useful ...

In this Milan, it is useless to walk around it, nothing works (or almost). Too bad to be true. Often wrong approaches, provincial attitude, little race and little competitive anger. The technical aspect, then, is totally to be reviewed. The team suffers regardless, against closed or open opponents, first or second tier, at San Siro or away.

ZERO QUALITY - The defensive phase makes water, the offensive phase is almost nothing. Also yesterday, against Parma, just a couple of shots and a single ball-goal (used by Castillejo). As highlighted by today's edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri maneuver is too slow. In the middle of the field is missing a man able to turn on the light. Perhaps Paquetà would have been useful to Tardini, but Gattuso did not consider it ready.

ISOLATED - And Piatek, once again, has been abandoned to his fate. Only against everyone there in front. The Pistolero tried, he worked hard. But he finally gave up. Because one account is a battle, another is to run empty, to the right and to miss, without a reference, without a companion to assist you. Polish people need more suggestions, otherwise - writes la rosea - it's night.

La Repubblica: "Milan's gray transfers"

Once again, Milan fenced at lunchtime. As reported by the newspaper La Repubblica, Gattuso has already collected three forgettable games in the indigestible advance of 12.30: at the Benevento 2-2, with the historic goal of goalkeeper Brignoli, and at the 0-0 post-Christmas match in Frosinone, he added yesterday the 1-1 with Parma, undeniable stumbling in the Champions League race. The few away victories are the real ballast compared to the competitors. However, the greyish day gave some useful indications: the passage to the three-man defense is an assimilated resource, Çalhanoglu is more effective from an external attack, while Suso can do the attacking midfielder, but the assists mostly cheats them out of the band right (the possible playmaker is Paquetà).

La Stampa: "Braking Milan, fourth place in danger"

The Parma draw - writes the newspaper La Stampa - puts Milan in the face of a dilemma: does it make sense to confront Barcelona and Ajax if you fail to win against a team in the relegation zone? The answer sinks in the defects of a team that, in a fundamental game for the Champions race, takes the field and trots on late spring rhythms for an entire time. It is an empty Milan without being tired, it does not respond to commands and is lacking in inventiveness.

Tuttosport - Milan and the usual defects: fear of winning, inability to keep the ball and few stimuli

Milan came back to us. He badly approached another game that he should have bitten from the first minute, given the stakes. He vivaciated for ninety minutes more recovering having the luck to find a random goal, born from nothing. But despite this, the Rossoneri have managed to waste everything on the best.

IMBARAZZO - As evidenced by today's edition of Tuttosport, Gattuso's team, which should have had many more incentives than Parma, did nothing to prevail. An embarrassing first time, played in slow motion, without ever taking a step or a change of pace. Then, in the second half, a shot on goal by Calhanoglu plus Castillejo's winning header. That's all. Little, definitely not enough for a Milan that aims for a place in the next Champions League.

SWING - At Tardini old flaws emerged: the fear of winning, the inability to hold the ball and be ruthless, the lack of determination. And so the Rossoneri swing continues, one day one step away from the Champions League, one day sucked into the scuffle of qualification.

Milan collapse, only one victory in the last six. Thus risks the Champions

One win in the last 6 league games. Milan crushed heavily on the brake at the most important moment of the season, when it was necessary to accelerate. The rossoneri from the derby onwards are in free fall, and except for the match against Lazio in which he achieved a fundamental success especially for the direct confrontations with a formation that points to the fourth place, with the other teams he showed evident gaps in the game, perhaps the best race was played with Juve. While against Samp, Udinese and Parma, where he got only two points, he offered a bad performance. Little intensity, wrong approach to the race, almost always the first time given to the opponents. "The thing that bothers me most is seeing how we tackled the game. I saw little vehemence, we suffered in the first half, "explained the coach at the end of the match. "We saw an empty team. It is not a physical problem. We looked surprised. We must not talk about tragedy, we must analyze why it is difficult. We have to make as little mistakes as possible, there are days when we leave the first times to the opponents or where we make some mistakes, "analyzed Gattuso.

Milan also continues to struggle away. For the Rossoneri only five wins away from San Siro throughout the season. Very few for a team that aims to return to the Champions League. Milan is always lacking in personality and in the stadiums of other companies it is always taken by surprise, thanks to the intensity and the malice that the Parma in turn, like all the others, manage to put during the game. The Rossoneri do not build offensive actions, Piatek is left to its fate, and they also struggle to be ordained. The simplest step becomes complicated, the ball is hot and no one takes responsibility for taking the initiative. Problem of ideas that the coach should transmit, and a problem of individuals, often overrated and not adequate for a club that wants to fight for the high ranking.

Milan and Parma, the curiosity: both challenges in season at lunch time

Milan took to the field yesterday against Parma, drawing, in the 12:30 challenge. Curiously, even the first match was played at lunchtime. On that occasion the Rossoneri won 2-1 thanks to the rigor of Kessie. While yesterday ended at Tardini with the result of 1-1.