Keisuke Honda breaks Serie A duck with crucial Milan winner

Keisuke Honda breaks Serie A duck with crucial Milan winner - Keisuke Honda answered his critics by scoring the winner for AC Milan, his maiden Serie A goal, in a precious 2-1 win at Genoa on Monday which maintained the Rossoneri's hopes of European football next season.

Honda has failed to live up to expectations for Clarence Seedorf's ailing side since joining the club from CSKA Moscow in October.

AC Milan's Keisuke Honda celebrates after scoring a goal during their Italian Serie A match against Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa, Italy, on April 7, 2014

But after Adel Taarabt had given the visitors a 20th-minute lead with a wonderful strike at a packed Luigi Ferraris Stadium - his third goal in eight league games - Honda latched on to the Moroccan's pass in the 56th minute to ride a challenge from onrushing goalkeeper Mattia Perin and watch the ball roll into the net.

Honda couldn't quite believe his luck, and the joy on the faces of his team-mates as they swamped him in celebration spoke volumes about the 27-year-old's frustration in his previous 11 league games for the Rossoneri.

Milan remain in 11th spot but a third consecutive win means they are now only five points adrift of fifth-placed city rivals Inter, who occupy the first available Europa League qualifying spot.

Inter's Europa hopes were dented on Saturday in a 2-2 draw at home to Bologna, their fourth consecutive game without a win. ( AFP News )

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Cristiano Ronaldo the best I have played with

Kaka : Cristiano Ronaldo the best I have played with  - AC Milan midfielder Kaka says Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane are the best footballers he has faced and Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player he has ever played alongside.

The Brazilian midfielder faced Messi numerous times during his time at Real Madrid, where he played alongside fellow Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo.

Zidane was only involved in the set up at the Santiago Bernabeu while Kaka was there, but the 31-year-old's appearances against the France legend earlier in his career were enough to leave a lasting impression.

"The best ones I played against were Zidane and Messi," Kaka wrote in a Q&A via Milan's official Twitter page. "The best one I've played with was Cristiano Ronaldo.

"The strongest defender I've played with or against is Paolo Maldini [Kaka's former teammate at Milan]."

Kaka also expressed his delight at playing under Clarence Seedorf, who took over from Massimiliano Allegri as Rossoneri coach in January, but played down the chances of him following in the Dutchman's footsteps when he hangs up his boots.

"It's the first time a former teammate is now my coach," he said when asked what it's like playing under the ex-Netherlands international. "I'm so happy about it and I think Seedorf will do a great job!

"I would say no [to coaching in the future]. I don't want to coach once I retire from playing, but I do not know if I will miss being part of the field of play. Who knows!" ( Goal.com )

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Balotelli just like Ibrahimovic, says Allegri

Balotelli just like Ibrahimovic, says Allegri - AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has compared Mario Balotelli to his side's former talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Balotelli joined the Rossoneri in January, and he has since scored seven goals in his first six games for the club, leading Allegri to compare the 22-year-old with the Paris Saint-Germain star.

“He’s similar to Ibrahimovic both physically and technically, but he can get better because he’s playing with continuity here," Allegri said at a press conference. "Balotelli still has to improve a lot as a center forwardgiven his potential, but he has all the right ingredients to do it." 

Balotelli just like Ibrahimovic, says Allegri

After a disappointing start to the campaign, which included the sale of star players such as Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain, Milan now finds itself third in Serie A, two points adrift of Napoli in second.

Allegri admits he is thrilled by the progress shown by his side, but has warned it cannot afford to rest on its laurels just yet.

“The squad is young and I’m happy with the work that the club has done," Allegri said. “If we get into the Champions League, without having to pre-qualify, it’ll have been a good year. One thing is for sure, if we’re to get where we want to be, we’ll need a lot of points.”

On the topic of his own future, Allegri added that he plans remain with Milan beyond the 2013-14 campaign.

“I’m very happy to be at Milan and hope to stay at this club for the long term. For that to happen we need results so let’s hope the team can give us some satisfaction," Allegri said.

Goal.com

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