Galliani denied Milan in crisis

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani denied on Saturday that his club was always in crisis, despite losing their opening two games of the Serie A season. The pressure has been mounting in Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti after the failure to qualify for the Champions League this season, and then the two league defeats to open this campaign.

However, it eased slightly on Thursday 3-1 in the UEFA Cup victory at home to FC Zurich and now Galliani is claiming the club was never in the riots. "There was never any problem between management, players and the coach," he told Milan's own television station, adding that there were no misunderstandings interior despite being "massacred" in the press.

The Italian press has been speculating wildly about possible problems in the camp, even suggesting that the management of coach and was not agreed on the summer transfer policy, in particular the signing of striker Marco Borriello of Genoa. "That is an absurd rumor that some players were chosen by Ancelotti and others for the club," he said.

"Every player, exceptional, and good average, were purchased in accordance with the coach. There were no disagreements at the end if everyone was not agreed, the acquisitions have not gone through."

Galliani also denied that Borriello was a management trainer in place of the selection. "He was loved by all here in Milan. I had the right characteristics for our style of play and to complement his team of colleagues."

Early league leaders Milan host Lazio on Sunday night the party and the visitors will feel confident ahead of the trip north. "We're going to Milan in good shape to play a team that probably did not expect to start the game behind us in the league," said the Lazio boss Delio Rossi.

"But we can not go there to be sacrificial lambs or to be part of the solution to the problems of Milan. I am confident that tomorrow (Sunday) will be a game between two teams of top level and I'm waiting to see how they react."