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Ancelotti Faces Press Conference Before Facing Former Team
Goal.com takes a look at the main issues in the Chelsea-AC Milan face off.
Jul 24, 2009 3:13:03 AM
In a press conference 24 hours before the match versus AC Milan, Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti faced a barrage of questions, from a mixed group of reporters,
hailing from Italy, England, and the United States.
Seated alongside midfielder John Mikel Obi, Ancelotti answered to questions about the possible transfers of John Terry and Andrea Pirlo, as well as questions about Milan and their new coach Leonardo, and playing in America.
Chelsea had planned on practicing at the M&T Bank Field, which hosts the match between the London side and Milan on Friday. But rain throughout the day caused that to be canceled, in an attempt to save the field for the actual game. With those plans scuppered, Chelsea took the change in plans in step, and arranged to practice in a training facility owned by the University of Maryland.
The unique experience of the World Football Challenge allows the four teams a chance to prepare for their respective upcoming seasons. But in the process, it also provides an avenue for competitive matches, as evident by the confrontations during the Club America and A.C. Milan match on Wednesday night.
"We have all loved it," said Mikel. "We came here to work hard and make sure we get ready for the season." But, Mikel added: "We want to win."
This attitude adds another dimension to these fixtures. Not only are the fans in America treated with the opportunity to see some of the best names in the world face off against each other -- but there is enough commitment amongst the players themselves to want to win the game. All of which benefits the fans in the stands.
One possible concern in this tournament for the teams is the distance traveled, and the change in timezones that each trip means. On Tuesday night, Chelsea faced current Serie A champions Inter Milan in Los Angeles. Over 2500 miles later, they face A.C. Milan with just two days rest. The travel, however, did not bother Ancelotti.
"Its not a big problem, its a little problem," stated the Italian. "We are used to this in the season, when we have to do a lot of travel, so its not a big problem."
One upcoming Chelsea event will be the introduction of Russian midfielder Yuri Zhirkov in Friday's game. Having joined the London club this summer, he has yet to appear in a match. But Ancelotti revealed on Thursday that the left sided player would be making his debut for Chelsea against A.C. Milan.
"Zhirkov is working really well right now," stated Ancelotti. "He can play tomorrow, for the first time, for Chelsea. He will play."
In the end, the biggest headline before the game is the fact that Ancelotti will be facing his former club. Ancelotti acknowledged the fact that it would be an unique experience -- but that at the end of the day, it would be just be another game.
"I am excited for the game," said Ancelotti through an interpreter, following a question in Italian. "But there won't be significant changes. It will be similar to a normal game."
But while Ancelotti was able to pass the question off, it will be interesting to see how he reacts to seeing his former team when the teams face off on Friday. Having signed the majority of the players currently on Milan's squad, there will no doubt be a bit more emotion running through those players, and Ancelotti himself.
The game itself should prove to be a terrific spectacle. These are two teams that have decent followings in America -- meaning there will be an excited atmosphere in the stands. The game will feature some of the biggest stars in the world, with Ronaldinho possibly lining up for A.C. Milan, and Frank Lampard the same for Chelsea. And as evident by the first couple of games in this football challenge, the actual game should match the hype surrounding it.
For USA fans, it might be another chance to see recent A.C. Milan signing, and USA international, Oguchi Onyewu. Onyewu made his first appearance on Wednesday night, playing 45 minutes in Milan's 2-1 loss to Club America. This time, he might have an opportunity to play a bit closer to home, having been born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. Mikel summed up the prospect of the spectacle of the game by stating: "We have to go out there and make sure we give them a good game."
Steven Streff, Goal.com Ancelotti Prepares to Face Old Team As Chelsea and A.C. Milan Square Off in Baltimore Just a few months removed his the termination of his post at A.C. Milan, new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has the chance to face his old club, as Chelsea FC and A.C. Milan face off in Baltimore, Maryland in the World Football Challenge.
Seated alongside midfielder John Mikel Obi, Ancelotti answered to questions about the possible transfers of John Terry and Andrea Pirlo, as well as questions about Milan and their new coach Leonardo, and playing in America.
Chelsea had planned on practicing at the M&T Bank Field, which hosts the match between the London side and Milan on Friday. But rain throughout the day caused that to be canceled, in an attempt to save the field for the actual game. With those plans scuppered, Chelsea took the change in plans in step, and arranged to practice in a training facility owned by the University of Maryland.
The unique experience of the World Football Challenge allows the four teams a chance to prepare for their respective upcoming seasons. But in the process, it also provides an avenue for competitive matches, as evident by the confrontations during the Club America and A.C. Milan match on Wednesday night.
"We have all loved it," said Mikel. "We came here to work hard and make sure we get ready for the season." But, Mikel added: "We want to win."
This attitude adds another dimension to these fixtures. Not only are the fans in America treated with the opportunity to see some of the best names in the world face off against each other -- but there is enough commitment amongst the players themselves to want to win the game. All of which benefits the fans in the stands.
One possible concern in this tournament for the teams is the distance traveled, and the change in timezones that each trip means. On Tuesday night, Chelsea faced current Serie A champions Inter Milan in Los Angeles. Over 2500 miles later, they face A.C. Milan with just two days rest. The travel, however, did not bother Ancelotti.
"Its not a big problem, its a little problem," stated the Italian. "We are used to this in the season, when we have to do a lot of travel, so its not a big problem."
One upcoming Chelsea event will be the introduction of Russian midfielder Yuri Zhirkov in Friday's game. Having joined the London club this summer, he has yet to appear in a match. But Ancelotti revealed on Thursday that the left sided player would be making his debut for Chelsea against A.C. Milan.
"Zhirkov is working really well right now," stated Ancelotti. "He can play tomorrow, for the first time, for Chelsea. He will play."
In the end, the biggest headline before the game is the fact that Ancelotti will be facing his former club. Ancelotti acknowledged the fact that it would be an unique experience -- but that at the end of the day, it would be just be another game.
"I am excited for the game," said Ancelotti through an interpreter, following a question in Italian. "But there won't be significant changes. It will be similar to a normal game."
But while Ancelotti was able to pass the question off, it will be interesting to see how he reacts to seeing his former team when the teams face off on Friday. Having signed the majority of the players currently on Milan's squad, there will no doubt be a bit more emotion running through those players, and Ancelotti himself.
The game itself should prove to be a terrific spectacle. These are two teams that have decent followings in America -- meaning there will be an excited atmosphere in the stands. The game will feature some of the biggest stars in the world, with Ronaldinho possibly lining up for A.C. Milan, and Frank Lampard the same for Chelsea. And as evident by the first couple of games in this football challenge, the actual game should match the hype surrounding it.
For USA fans, it might be another chance to see recent A.C. Milan signing, and USA international, Oguchi Onyewu. Onyewu made his first appearance on Wednesday night, playing 45 minutes in Milan's 2-1 loss to Club America. This time, he might have an opportunity to play a bit closer to home, having been born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. Mikel summed up the prospect of the spectacle of the game by stating: "We have to go out there and make sure we give them a good game."
Steven Streff, Goal.com Ancelotti Prepares to Face Old Team As Chelsea and A.C. Milan Square Off in Baltimore Just a few months removed his the termination of his post at A.C. Milan, new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has the chance to face his old club, as Chelsea FC and A.C. Milan face off in Baltimore, Maryland in the World Football Challenge.
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