AC Milan owner gives up on Serie A title

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12/17/2008 - Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has written off his club's chances of challenging for the Serie A title and has switched his focus to Champions League qualification.

The Rossoneri have had to settle for UEFA Cup football this term and Berlusconi does not want to see a repeat of that next term.

"Has the Scudetto slipped from our grasp? Well, nine points is a lot," he said. "In any case, we will try to reduce the gap because that is essential for us, so we can return to fighting it out in Europe in the Champions League.

"The Champions League place is our objective and I think we are able to achieve that."

Meanwhile, the medical staff who operated on Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso have confirmed that the Italy international will take six months to recover fully from a serious knee injury.

"The recovery period is in the region of six months and it is just not possible to reduce it," assistant surgeon Krystel De Reycke told Sky Italia. "He will wear a protective cast for a month and that will give him normal mobility without limits. He'll then walk with crutches for ten days.

"Another protective device is needed up for another month, but after four months he can start running again."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

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Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
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nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
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"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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