Seedorf bemoans Milan contract situation
Reuters - Friday 13 May 2011, 11:40
MILAN - Brief news ahead of this weekend's
Serie A matches.
Newly crowned champions AC Milan will hold a party at
Saturday's last home game of the season against Cagliari but the mood has been soured somewhat by midfielder
Clarence Seedorf criticising the club's contract policy.
Seedorf, Alessandro Nesta, captain Massimo Ambrosini and
Andrea Pirlo are all out of contract in the close season after
the Rossoneri decided to run down their deals before deciding
whether to offer new terms.
"To not have sorted everything out with Nesta, Ambrosini and
Pirlo just two weeks from the end of the season is a strategy
that I don't agree with," the Dutchman told reporters.
Napoli need just a point at home to second-placed Inter
Milan on Sunday to secure the third automatic Champions
League spot and return to the European Cup for the first time
since 1991.
Top striker Edinson Cavani is suspended so the scoring
burden will fall of Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi.
"The fans must stay calm and support us, we will manage to
reach our goal," Lavezzi told reporters. "If you really think
about it, we could have won this title."
Third-bottom Sampdoria could suffer a shock relegation on
Sunday at home to Palermo but club owner Riccardo Garrone
has not given up hope despite the Genoa side being two points
from safety with just two games left.
"Personally, I'm optimistic and I still believe," he told
reporters despite forward Federico Macheda looking doubtful.
Udinese could wrap up the fourth Champions League
qualifying spot if results go their way and Colombia winger
Pablo Armero has told reporters he hopes to recover from a knock
to play in the trip to Chievo on Sunday.
Fifth-placed AS Roma are two points behind fourth but
Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta are banned for Sunday's
game at mid-table Catania while fellow midfielders Matteo
Brighi and David Pizarro are not fully fit.
Lazio in sixth need a win at home to Genoa on Saturday to keep their Champions League dream alive.
Midfielders Cristian Brocchi and Stefano Mauri failed to
train with the full squad on Thursday.