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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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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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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Kaka made A.C Milan better already

Massimiliano Allegri believes Kaka has already improved AC Milan squad by raising the level of self-confidence throughout the squad.

The Brazil midfielder - who played for the Rossoneri between 2003 to 2009 - returned to San Siro on a free transfer last week after four years with Real Madrid.

He played 45 minutes in a 4-0 friendly win against Chiasso of Switzerland on Saturday, wearing the captain's armband, and showed enough to suggest he could be a key player for Allegri this season.

"Kaka is a great player. He has quality and he is a CHAMPION, very experienced." - Says Allegri for Sky Sports.

"I must do well to get the best out of him and help him reach peak fitness. You cannot expect a player, even one of his level, to be ready straight away.

"Kaka is a lovely guy who is eager to work hard, which he proved already in training."

Kaka is expected to officialy re-debut next week-end.

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Allegri : We will get through

With the scores at 1-1 following the first leg Champions League playoff in Eindhoven, Allegri promised to his side will go out to win the game at San Siro.

Massimiliano Allegri has warned PSV that rossoneri will go at them all guns blazing in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Wednesday.

"We must have a positive attitude, We played a good match in the first leg, now we have to think about winning this match and not conceding a goal. This game is very important for us, we are facing a team that plays good football and that made life difficult for us. - Said Allegri.

 Allegri’s cause is not assisted by a lengthy list of absentees, but the 46-year-old is confident Brazilian striker Robinho could feature. "Unfortunately Robinho picked up the injury just as he was hitting full fitness," he said. “Robi is a quality player and he has done very well at Milan. This is an important year for him, he is out to prove himself.”

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