Massimo Ambrosini

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Massimo Ambrosini
Personal information
Date of birth	May 29, 1977 (1977-05-29) (age 31)
Place of birth	Pesaro, Italy
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	A.C. Milan
Number	23
Youth clubs
	Cesena
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1994–1995 1995– 1997–1998	Cesena A.C. Milan → Vicenza (loan)	025 0(1) 226 (20) 027 0(1)
National team2
1995–1999 1999–	Italy U-21 Italy	018 0(1) 033 0(0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 18, 2008. 2 National team caps and goals correct as of June 13, 2008. * Appearances (Goals)

Massimo Ambrosini (born May 29, 1977 in Pesaro) is an Italian footballer who plays for A.C. Milan as a defensive midfielder. He is also the vice-captain and is known as a hardworking player, who took time to break into the AC Milan ranks. He is well known for his aerial ability and tackling.

[edit] Club career

Ambrosini began his career with Serie B side Cesena and graduated to their first team at the age of 17 during the 1994–95; season. A.C. Milan coach Fabio Capello then won the race to sign him the following year, and despite facing tough competition to break into the all-star Milan side, Ambrosini was given a handful of games as the team romped to the Serie A championship. Only used marginally more in 1996–97, Ambrosini was sent on loan to Vicenza, where he was a key member of the team that successfully preserved their Serie A status. Recalled to the San Siro, Ambrosini at last made a first-team place his own as Milan won back the Serie A championship in 1999. A regular the following term, he then saw his chances limited by a troublesome knee injury before returning to full fitness to help Milan win the Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, where he replaced Rui Costa in the 87th minute at Old Trafford.

In 2003–04, although unable to establish himself as a first-team starter due to a series of niggling injuries and a loss of form, Ambrosini made 20 Serie A appearances and one goal - predominantly as a substitute - as Milan captured their 17th Serie A championship. In March 2005, he renewed his contract at the San Siro, committing himself until June 2008.

In 2004–05, he struggled to break into Milan first team, and only made 22 Serie A appearances, scoring one goal. However, it is his late goal that took Milan to the UEFA Champions League final. With Milan losing 2–0, a scoreline which would have sent the match to extra time as Milan defeated PSV with the same score in the San Siro, Ambrosini scored a header in second half injury time to bring the score to 2–1 and give Milan the 3–2 aggregate lead. PSV immedeately responded with a goal of their own to tie the aggregate score at 3–3, but Milan advanced to the final on the away goals rule. However, Ambrosini missed the final in Istanbul with yet another injury as Milan were defeated on penalties by Liverpool.

In 2005–06, he again suffered a series of injuries which limited him to just 13 Serie A appearances and one goal, thus making him out of contention for Italy squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

In 2006–07, Ambrosini fully recovered from his injury. He wasn't an immediate first-team choice, but following a series of stunning performances, he eventually made it and forced Carlo Ancelotti to change his formation from 4-3-1-2 to 4-3-2-1 (alternatively, 4-4-1-1). He has scored two decisive goals from his head in Serie-A, against Sampdoria and Atalanta B.C.. He was also a key member to Milan's victory over Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, balancing the game for Milan through his vision and leadership skills. It was also his vision that ensured Milan a place in the final. Having stolen the ball from Manchester United, Ambrosini immediately passed to a free Alberto Gilardino. Gilardino scored to make it 3–0, thus ending United's hope of winning the trophy.

Ambrosini originally intended to join Fiorentina due to lack of first-team choice, but changed his mind after the Champions League semifinal against Manchester United. He renewed his contract with Milan until 2010. Shortly after, he started in the final of the 2006–07 Champions League and played a strong game in Milan's 2–1 win over Liverpool. In Paolo Maldini's absence, Ambrosini was once again the stand in captain for the European Super Cup Final against UEFA Cup winners Sevilla FC, which Milan won 3-1. As a fitting tribute to Maldini, Ambrosini decided to share his proudest personal moment with him by holding aloft the European super cup together. A fitting end to a match, overshadowed by the untimely death of Antonio Puerta.

A more than worthy deputy, Ambrosini has been Milan captain in the absence of Paolo Maldini through injury throughout the 2007-08 campaign. In this campaign, Ambrosini scored four goals, the most number of goals he has ever scored for a club in a single season. He scored decisive goals against Palermo and Empoli, and played very well in the in the home leg of the Milan derby against Inter on May 4, 2008, setting up the second goal for team-mate Kaka and putting in an excellent performance throughout the game, which Milan won 2-1. Unfortunately, despite winning 4-1 against Udinese on the final day of the season, Milan could only finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Cup 2008-09.

Ambrosini's hard work, aerial prowess, and his undying dedication to the team has made him a beloved figure within the ultras who consistently sing his name during home matches.

[edit] International career

Ambrosini made his international debut in April 1999 against Croatia and was part of the Italian squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics and at Euro 2000, which ended with an appearance as a substitute in the final loss to France. Ambrosini was unavailable for selection for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals through injury and then failed to break into the squad for the Euro 2004 finals.

On 16 August 2006, Ambrosini earned his 23rd cap for Italy after almost 2 years of absence from the Italian squad. For this match, he was given the captain's armband by coach Roberto Donadoni in the absence of regular contenders for the armband.

[edit] Honours

With AC Milan

• Serie A: 1996, 1999, 2004
• Coppa Italia: 2003
• Italian Super Cup: 2004
• UEFA Champions League: 2003, 2007
• UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

With Italy:

• European Football Championship Runner-Up: 2000

[edit] External links

• Massimo Ambrosini Profile on acmilan.com
• FootballDatabase.com provides Ambrosini's profile and stats

v • d • e Italy squad - UEFA Euro 2000 Runners-up 1 Abbiati • 2 Ferrara • 3 Maldini • 4 Albertini • 5 Cannavaro • 6 Negro • 7 Di Livio • 8 Conte • 9 Inzaghi • 10 Del Piero • 11 Pessotto • 12 Toldo • 13 Nesta • 14 Di Biagio • 15 Iuliano • 16 Ambrosini • 17 Zambrotta • 18 Fiore • 19 Montella • 20 Totti • 21 Delvecchio • 22 Antonioli • Coach: Zoff

v • d • e Italy squad - UEFA Euro 2008 1 Buffon • 2 Panucci • 3 Grosso • 4 Chiellini • 5 Gamberini • 6 Barzagli • 7 Del Piero • 8 Gattuso • 9 Toni • 10 De Rossi • 11 Di Natale • 12 Borriello • 13 Ambrosini • 14 Amelia • 15 Quagliarella • 16 Camoranesi • 17 De Sanctis • 18 Cassano • 19 Zambrotta • 20 Perrotta • 21 Pirlo • 22 Aquilani • 23 Materazzi • Coach: Donadoni