Mastour in line for AC Milan debut

Hachim Mastour is set to add his name to the AC Milan record books as he will become the San Siro side's youngest player ever if he makes his first-team debut in the upcoming Serie A match against Sassuolo.

Milan have confirmed on their official website that the gifted attacker has joined first-team training this week at the tender age of 15 years, 10 month and 28 days old.

The Rossoneri take on Sassuolo at the weekend in their last match of the 2013-14 campaign and Milan suggest on their website that there is a realistic chance Mastour will make the squad for Sunday's game at San Siro.

The Italy Under-16 international joined Milan from Reggiana in the summer of 2012 and is regarded as one of the biggest talents around in the game worldwide.

Paolo Maldini currently holds the record for youngest first-team player, having made his debut aged 16 years and 208 days against Udinese on January 20, 1985.

Other youngsters to have made their first-team debut in recent years include Bryan Cristante (16 years and 9 months) and Mattia De Sciglio (18 years and 11 months).

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Agent : Arsenal made Montolivo enquiry

Arsenal made an enquiry into the availability of AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivio, according to the player's agent, but it would be "very difficult" for the Italy international to leave San Siro.

The Gunners were in the market for midfield cover during the January transfer window, with Kim Kallstrom drafted in from Spartak Moscow after Aaron Ramsey's recovery stalled – though the Swede has yet to play for the north Londoners due to a back injury.

One player that caught Arsene Wenger's eye was Montolivo, says the Italian's representative Giovanni Branchini – though he insists the 29-year-old, also subject to interest from Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, is keen to stay at Milan.

"Milan have had a difficult season so far and I think I can say that Riccardo Montolivo has been one of the brightest notes," Branchini told Calciomercato.

"He became a fixture of the Rossoneri and was even given the captain's armband as proof. He is very happy with the club to which he belongs, and the club and fans are very satisfied with him.

"An extension? He has a contract until June 2016, so it is not a priority to talk about an extension at this time. That's a discussion we'll have, I think, next year.

"Has there been interest from other clubs? There have been tentative enquiries from Atletico Madrid, [Dortmund boss Jurgen] Klopp and Arsenal, to name a few.

"All were trying to ascertain whether the 'path' to Montolivo was feasible. At the moment, however, I feel it would be very difficult for the player to leave Milan, precisely because of what I said before."

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Montolivo: Milan deserved more against Juventus

Riccardo Montolivo feels AC Milan deserved at least a draw in Sunday's Serie A encounter against Juventus and has urged his team-mates to show more of the same in the weeks to come, regardless of their 2-0 loss against the reigning champions.

Clarence Seedorf's charges applied themselves well in the first half at San Siro and saw the likes of Kaka, Montolivo and Andrea Poli come close to breaking the deadlock, but Juventus dealt a hammer blow to the hosts shortly before half-time when Fernando Llorente tapped home and the visitors cemented their position on 68 minutes with a stunning strike from Carlos Tevez.

Nevertheless, Montolivo felt Milan were unfortunate to lose the game and believes that the players can take pride in the way they acquitted themselves against the defending champions.

"It's disappointing to talk about the loss after such a good performance," he told the club's official website.

"We deserved to take the lead in the first half and we went in at half-time a goal down. It's very tough but we have to keep on this road that we're on with this attitude and this desire to play the game.

"We need continuity and that's what we're looking for. If we don't win then it's obvious we have to improve.

"I think that in the big games the performances have always been there. We have to improve in certain situations where Juve punished us but today we showed good intensity and balance.

"We dropped a bit in the second half but it's tough to talk about a loss when we deserved a different result."

The setback leaves Milan in 10th position in Serie A with 35 points, 17 adrift of a Champions League spot.

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Balotelli: It is my duty to lead Milan

Mario Balotelli says it is his "duty" to lead AC Milan after his wonder goal earned a 1-0 victory over Serie A strugglers Bologna.

In a match devoid of clear-cut chances, the Italy international wowed the home fans at San Siro with a stunning 35-yard effort that flew into the top corner in the 86th minute.

"I looked at the goalkeeper and saw he was a little off his line, so I hit it with full force and fortunately it went in," Balotelli told Sky Sport Italia.

"It's a good goal. The coach gives me confidence, as I am the one who has to pull the team forward and therefore it's my duty to score these goals.

"It wasn't a great game tonight, anything but."

The result was harsh on a Bologna side who had limited the hosts in front of goal for the majority of the match, and had chances of their own to claim the points through Jonathan Cristaldo and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos.

Milan lifted themselves into the top half of the table with the victory and now face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

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Mario Balotelli Goal vs Bologna 1-0

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Seedorf: Essien needs time at Milan

Clarence Seedorf has urged AC Milan fans to be patient with Michael Essien as he says the Ghanaian midfielder needs time to adapt to his new surroundings.

The 30-year-old joined Milan from Chelsea in the January transfer window, but was kept on the bench for the full 90 minutes in his new side's 1-1 draw against Torino last week.

Nevertheless, the Rossoneri coach is confident that Essien will prove to be a shrewd signing and has hinted he could make his debut in Saturday's away game against Napoli.

"Essien needs time to settle in at his new club, but he remains a champion," the Dutchman said at a press conference.

"He could feature against Napoli this weekend."

Seedorf also stressed that he is determined to get the best out of Adel Taarabt, another new arrival at San Siro.

"I don't care about Taarabt's past. He is an incredibly talented player and we will make sure we do everything needed to get the best out of him," he continued.

"He is feeling very well and there's a chance that he will start against Napoli."

The Milan coach also briefly had his say on Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini and insisted that both strikers can flourish alongside each other.

"Will Balotelli and Pazzini start alongside each other against Napoli? Who knows, anything is possible," he said.

"They are definitely capable of playing together."

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Seedorf : Milan searching for consistency

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf wants his side to keep building consistency after getting two wins from his two Serie A games in charge.

The Dutchman took the reins at San Siro following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri, with the Rossoneri well down the table following a poor start to the season.

However, Seedorf has been impressed with the attitude his players have shown and believes the team's progress will soon start to show.

"It's important to take it day by day," he told reporters on Friday.

"I see enthusiasm and willingness in the team to learn and improve. All the ingredients are there to be able to grow and improve.

"We now need to find a consistency in both our results and our play. It will be nice to get back to San Siro in front of our fans, who have always supported us even through times of difficulty."

Milan face Torino on Saturday at San Siro and though Seedorf is full of admiration for Giampiero Ventura's men's style of play, he is confident that they can deal with the threat they pose.

"We have analysed their team and we are trying to prepare how best to deal with what they have to offer," he said.

"We're also working on our strengths then we'll just see which team plays better.

"I've always liked Ventura's teams. They always have lots of possession. They are having a great season.

"Torino are a very pragmatic team so we need to have a very clear idea of what we want to do in the game."

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Balotelli: I can't wait to play for Seedorf

Mario Balotelli says he is looking forward to getting to work under the new AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf following the Dutchman's appointment this week.

The Rossoneri's poor form has seen them slide into the bottom half of Serie A, with Sunday's 4-3 defeat at lowly Sassuolo resulting in the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri.

However, the announcement of Seedorf as the new boss at Milanello has been welcomed by the club's star striker.

"It was disappointing to see Allegri leave, but Seedorf has come in and it is very exciting to work with somebody like him," Balotelli told reporters at a Puma boot launch in Barcelona.

"Seedorf's record with Milan can be transmitted to the players. It is a good thing that he brings that experience with him."

While Seedorf and Milan face their own tough prospect in the Champions League next month against Atletico Madrid, Balotelli was also asked to give his verdict on his former club Manchester City, who will take on Barcelona in the last 16.

"City can definitely beat Barcelona, and I really hope they do," he admitted. "I have a lot of good friends there, so I will be cheering for Manchester City. But it will be a very difficult game."

His former City manager Roberto Mancini is another feature of the knockout stages after a dramatic late win over Juventus saw his Galatasaray side progress at the Old Lady's expense, and Balotelli admitted that his loyalties were split when watching the win-or-bust clash in Turkey.

"I was just hoping for a spectacular game really. I wanted Juventus to do well because I am Italian, but I had a very good experience with Mancini at City, so I want him to do well also."

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Milan deny Berlusconi wants to sell Balotelli

AC Milan have dismissed a report that owner Silvio Berlusconi wants to sell star striker Mario Balotelli during the January transfer window.

According to Il Secolo XIX, the former Italian Prime Minister has had enough of the 23-year-old's erratic behaviour, but the Rossoneri have denied that Berlusconi wants rid of Balotelli.

"AC Milan denies absolutely and vehemently the statements that have been attributed to the president of Milan about a possible placement of Mario Balotelli on the market," read a statement on the club's official website.

Balotelli, who was once described as "a rotten apple" by Berlusconi, only arrived at Milanello from Manchester City in January and played a key role in a resurgence that saw Massimiliano Allegri's men qualify for the Champions League, with the attacker hitting 12 goals in 13 Serie A appearances.

He has hit six goals this season but continues to court controversy on and off the field and has recently been linked with a reunion with former Inter boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

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AC Milan's El Shaarawy ruled out for 10 weeks

AC Milan have been rocked by the news that forward Stephan El Shaarawy has been ruled out of action for 10 weeks after undergoing foot surgery.

The Italy international only returned to action at the start of the month, after suffering a hairline fracture of his right foot in September.

However, El Shaarawy continued to experience pain in his fourth metatarsal bone, forcing the player to have another operation that will see him miss the Rossoneri's Champions League last 16 tie with Atletico Madrid.

"AC Milan announces that Stephan El Shaarawy today [Saturday] underwent surgery on his right foot in Portugal," read a club statement.

"The procedure was necessary to stabilise the fourth metatarsal bone, thus preventing an overload on the area of the previous stress fracture and, at the same time, to stimulate the same area of the foot in order to obtain an absolute cure.

"Professor Niek van Dijk, who believes the surgery a complete success, also anticipates subsequent tests that will determine the best steps towards healing and suggested the resumption of athletic and physical conditioning in approximately 10 weeks."

El Shaarawy, who was also carrying a thigh problem at the start of the season, has been restricted to just four Serie A appearances this term.

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Cagliari: No Nainggolan deal with Roma

Cagliari sporting director Nicola Salerno has rubbished rumours that the club have agreed to sell Radja Nainggolan to Roma.

The Belgium international is widely expected to leave the Sant'Elia during the January transfer window and has been reportedly attracting interest from traditional Serie A heavyweights Juventus, Inter and AC Milan.

It has been reported that Roma have also entered the race after a meeting between Cagliari president Massimo Cellino and Roma director of football Walter Sabatini but Salerno insists that it was nothing more than a chance encounter.

"There is no agreement," the Rossoblu official told ASRomaRadio.it. "Cellino and Sabatini have spoken with one another in general terms and I can tell you that they met at the airport by accident. This story was born of that.

"But there is nothing concrete in relation to Nainggolan. We have not started any negotiations with Rome. I do not know to what extent the Giallorossi are interested in the player.

"We are not in a position to give an answer [to that question]. We have started several negotiations and within 10-15 days we will be able to give you a definitive answer.

"It can't even been said that we will give him away. For the moment, there is nothing concrete; I can assure you of that 100 percent."

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Inter legend Suarez: Balotelli not world class

Inter legend Luis Suarez has claimed that last weekend's Milan derby proved that Mario Balotelli still cannot be considered a world-class player.

The Rossoneri forward struggled to make an impact in the game at San Siro, as Massimiliano Allegri's struggling side slumped to a 1-0 defeat, with Rodrigo Palacio scoring the only goal of the game with just four minutes to go.

Suarez was extremely underwhelmed with Balotelli's contribution to the AC Milan cause, arguing that the obvious dearth of talent around him cannot be used an excuse for such a sub-standard showing in one of the most famous fixtures in world football.

"One sees a world-class player in games like the derby, meaning he is not one yet," the former Spain international told Tiki Taka.

"Palacio and [Inter midfielder Fredy] Guarin played like world-class players, without the support of the team ..."

Balotelli has managed just six Serie A goals this season for Milan, who are currently languishing in 13th place in the standings.

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Zanetti: Inter want to make derby history

Javier Zanetti has demanded that Inter put in maximum effort to seal Derby della Madonnina victory against AC Milan on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri captain underlined the significance of the game, stating that win would serve as a timely boost for everyone connected with the club after last weekend's 4-2 defeat at Napoli.

"The game affects the whole city; it's a game that makes history and if you win it you send out a strong message," the 40-year-old defender told Rai Sport.

"Unfortunately, we lost to Napoli and now we'll have to cope without [Ricardo] Alvarez [through suspension]. But we'll do everything we can to put on a top performance and get back to winning ways.

"[We'll do that] by pulling out all the stops, not leaving anything to chance and playing with heart. We must be really alert and focused."

Inter are currently fifth in Serie A, six places and nine points above Milan, but Esteban Cambiasso insists that form counts for nothing in this fixture.

"It doesn’t matter much. The derby is the derby and goes beyond these kinds of things," the midfielder stated.

"The derby is a different game from any other. It’s always special for us and AC Milan, and we’ll try to do everything we can to try and bring joy to our fans."

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Seedorf signs deal to coach Milan

Seedorf signs deal to coach Milan

Clarence Seedorf has signed a pre-contract agreement to take over as the coach of AC Milan from next season onwards. The club's hierarchy have lost patience with Massimiliano Allegri and will replace him in the summer.

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Kaka: Seedorf will be one of the best coaches

AC Milan midfielder Kaka thinks Clarence Seedorf will become a top coach once he retires from his playing career amid rumours that the Rossoneri legend has signed a deal to replace Massimiliano Allegri.

Italian newspapers reported on Saturday that the San Siro legend has been lined up by club president Silvio Berlusconi as the next boss as Milan languish in 10th heading into gameweek 17.

Kaka, who played alongside Seedorf for six years at Milan, believes that the Botafogo midfielder will be among the best trainers around due to the way the Dutchman applies himself professionally.

"Everything Clarence does, he does at its best," the 31-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He will do fine as a coach, although there is much to learn.

"I do not know how it will be for him to start [his coaching career] at Milan, but he can handle himself just fine."

Kaka returned to San Siro in the summer from Real Madrid having spent a largely forgettable four years at the Santiago Bernabeu and he says he came back to Serie A as competition at Carlo Ancelotti's side was simply too strong.

"I did not intend to leave in the beginning, I spoke with Carlo and he wanted me to stay," the Brazilian added. "Then Madrid began to buy important players in midfield and asked the coach to play youth, so I knew that there was no space for me.

"I spoke with Ancelotti and he told me that it would be more difficult to play for me. But I had no problem with him, it was clear and we decided together."

Milan face Inter in a relatively low-profile Derby della Madonnina on Sunday but Kaka is already thinking ahead to 2014, when the Rossoneri will look to put their woeful domestic form behind them and continue their run in Europe.

He added: "I'm sure we will do well against Inter because, with the big challenges, we never take the wrong approach, even though we do not always win a contest of character.

"For 2014 we expect to take as many points as possible and to do well in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid [in the last 16]."

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De Jong : Honda will succeed at AC Milan

Nigel de Jong is confident that Keisuke Honda will be a roaring success at AC Milan.

The Serie A side announced earlier this month that the attacking midfielder will leave CSKA Moscow for Milan on a free transfer come January and De Jong believes his new team-mate will prove to be a shrewd signing for the Rossoneri.

"I met Keisuke Honda about two weeks ago in a friendly between Holland and Japan and I have to say he’s a strong player," De Jong said on Milan's official Google+ account.

"He has a great left foot and I think he’ll do well with Milan.

"He’ll be welcome here. He can score and he’ll be important for us."

The 27-year-old Japan international started his professional career at Nagoya Grampus and also wore the VVV jersey before joining CSKA in January 2010.

Honda has signed a contract until June 2017 with Milan, who face Inter in Serie A on Sunday evening.

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Balotelli: AC Milan showed character against Ajax

Mario Balotelli hailed AC Milan's character after they battled their way to a 0-0 draw with Ajax on Wednesday evening that earned the Italian outfit a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Rossoneri were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Riccardo Montolivo received his marching orders for a reckless tackle on Christian Poulsen, but Massimiliano Allegri's men managed to hold on to claim the point they needed to reach the next round at their opponents' expense.

"We had to go through a lot, especially after the sending-off. We had to defend and we showed great character," Balotelli told reporters.

"It was difficult to score and the only way to get the result was to defend well. It depends from game to game, but Wednesday we were forced to defend with 10 men.

"We are a good group and we are showing it in every game. It was a very good duel against Ajax."

Balotelli then stressed that Milan now need to address their dismal Serie A form, with the Rossoneri currently ninth in the standings after a dreadful start to the season.

"We have done well in Europe but now we must do well in the domestic league," the former Manchester City forward declared.

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Berlusconi : Galliani will not leave Milan

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has stated that Adriano Galliani will remain as the club's CEO.

"Tranquillity has returned to Milan," the former Italy Prime Minister told Milan Channel. "Adriano Galliani remains in place, like all the others.

"The only reason I could not go to Milanello [for the press conference] was because of the bad weather.

"Adriano Galliani is much more relaxed after the dinner we had at Arcore last night."

Milan currently sit 13th in Serie A, but Massimiliano Allegri's men can book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League by avoiding defeat at home to Ajax on December 11.

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Allegri hits back at Seedorf

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has hit back at Clarence Seedorf, claiming that he was not responsible for all of the Dutchman's "woes".

The Botafogo ace claimed on Thursday that he left San Siro last year because of the Rossoneri trainer, whom he claimed had no faith in his fitness levels.

However, Allegri has dismissed Seedorf's version of events, even suggesting that the former Netherlands international, who has been linked with a return to Milan as coach, has contradicted himself by admitting that he featured in all of Milan's most important games.

"There's an old saying by [former Italian Prime Minister] Giulio Andreotti: power frays those who don't have it," the 46-year-old coach told reporters on Friday. "And the Milan bench puts pressure on those who don't have it.

"He said that I played him in the important games, meaning I trusted him. So, I don't believe that I was the cause of all of his woes."

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Abate : Balo needs to learn from Kaka'

AC Milan defender Ignazio Abate thinks Mario Balotelli can learn a lot from Kaka on how to become a model professional.

The former Manchester City striker has been battling a thigh injury, but the right-back believes he is not taking the necessary steps to return as quickly as possible.

Kaka has also spent the last month nursing an injury, only returning to action the past week, and Abate feels Balotelli can learn a thing or two from the former Real Madrid midfielder’s strict training regimen.

“[Kaka] is a shining example for all, especially for the younger ones,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “When he was injured, he came in the morning and left in the evening.

“For someone who has earned as much as he has and already won all he can in his career, he could afford to give the bare minimum, and instead he behaves like a top player.

“He gives everything to return to what he once was.

“[Balotelli] must understand that he is no longer a kid and that certain behaviours are not going to go over well.

“He needs to grow up as quickly as possible.”

However, Abate, 26, is confident the future is still bright for Balotelli and says the striker has all the skills and resources at his disposal to be one of the best players in the world if he can fix his attitude.

“The fact is that he has incredible potential, of which even he realizes. To me, after [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, he’s next.

“We are fortunate enough to work for a club like Milan and in a place like Milanello.

“It is wrong to think of coming here just to punch the clock, and then go home. We should devote ourselves to our work.”

The former Torino defender’s contract expires at the end of the season, but he admits he would like to continue his playing career at the San Siro, while insisting they are capable of finishing in Serie A's top three again.

“I’m very close to Milan. I see myself here for a long time. I still have a year of my contract left, and my desire is to stay. I am no longer a kid, but not old either. Yet it is true, in a squad like this I hope to be a good example.

“We have the foundation to make another comeback, but we need to be balanced and not make any mistakes. However, this is a team which belongs in the top three.

“I like the return to 4-3-3, the team is more balanced, solid and covered with respect to our playmakers. At the back we still have to grow a lot, but when you undergo 13 goals in eight games it is easy to just blame the defence.”

Along with the defence, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has shouldered much of the blame for his team’s sluggish start, but the right-back has faith in his coach.

“His greatest quality is balance. He has always transmitted confidence, even in our worst moments. He handles the pressure and in these three years he cannot be accused of anything. He did all he could, including the miracle of third place last year.”

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