Latest news with #PerthGlory
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Allegri expects further Milan ‘progress' after win over Liverpool
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri expects further 'progress' from his players after a win over Liverpool this past weekend: 'The match against Perth Glory will be great.' Milan visit Perth Glory on July 31 in their final Asia-Pacific Tour friendly game. The Rossoneri lost 1-0 against Arsenal last week but also beat Liverpool 4-2 on Saturday, and Allegri expects to see more developments in Australia. Thrilled Allegri as Milan land in Australia SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – JULY 23: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan looks on prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and AC Milan at National Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Singapore. (Photo by Yong) 'I'm proud to be here, Perth is a beautiful city that I had never visited before,' the Italian tactician said at a press conference via Gazzetta. 'I'm looking forward to exploring it, discovering a new culture and feeling the support of our fans here in Western Australia. 'This will be the match that ends our tour and this pre-season preparation period. We'll play in a beautiful stadium against a team that has achieved good results. I expect progress in both physical and technical aspects. 'The match against Perth Glory will be great, and I'm happy to be here. I thank the Government of Western Australia for the opportunity.' Allegri had been sacked by Milan in January 2011 and returned to the club this past May, signing a two-year deal with an option for a further campaign. Allegri explains Milan return after 14 years Massimiliano Allegri prior to the pre-season friendly between Milan and Arsenal in Singapore on July 23, 2025 (picture via: The Livorno-born tactician reiterated that Milan's priority target will be to finish in the top four in the 2025-26 season. 'I've returned to Milan after 15 years and I'm happy to be here,' he said. 'This will be an important season, and we aim to return to the Champions League. Milan are one of the most important clubs in the world and must play in the Champions League. When you wear this jersey, you feel the responsibility of representing one of the most storied clubs, and you must always give your best.' Allegri had been without a club since May 2024 when Juventus sacked him. 'Resting is good, but I was eager to get back to coaching,' he concluded. 'I chose Milan because I love this club and couldn't say no. I do this job with passion and dedication, and I'm convinced that, together, we will achieve the goals we've set for ourselves.' Milan's first Serie A game of the 2025-26 season is against regional rivals Cremonese on August 23, but the opening competitive game of the season will be against Bari in the Coppa Italia on August 17.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
AC Milan players visit Perth Children's Hospital ahead of Thursday nights clash against Perth Glory
There were hugs, high-fives and heartwarming smiles at Perth Children's Hospital on Monday as some of the world's biggest football stars traded in their boots for an afternoon of signing scarves and sharing stories. Italian football giants AC Milan, back in WA for a blockbuster clash with Perth Glory on Thursday, made a surprise stop at the hospital to lift the spirits of some of the State's bravest young patients. They also paid a visit to Telethon beneficiaries including Radio Lollipop, Starlight Children's Foundation and the Kids Cancer Support Group. Among the high-profile visitors were legendary players Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano. Former AC Milan player Zeljko Kalac, who represented Australia on the international stage for over a decade as a Socceroo, also stopped by. Aspiring soccer player Tyler Stewart, 10, was over the moon after meeting the football stars and told The West Australian he would treasure the moment forever. 'This hand, I'm never going to wash it again . . . because I got all the high-fives on this hand,' he said. 'At first I felt shy, but then I just opened up my shell. I think they're my favourite team now . . . my favourite team before was Manchester City.' Tyler has had 12 surgeries on his legs — with number 13 looming — since being struck by a taxi while on holiday in New York on Christmas day. But he said it is all worth it after meeting the superstars today. 'I can't wait to tell my friends at school,' he said. For 11-year-old Mathew Scojceski — a lifelong AC Milan fan and childhood cancer survivor — the moment was something he'd dreamed of. '(I feel) special, like that I actually got to speak to them one-on-one and meet them in person. They were very cool and friendly, and they made me feel welcomed,' he said after chatting to Terracciano. Mathew, who underwent major spinal surgery in March, didn't hesitate to tip the scoreline for Thursday's match. 'I think it will be three-nil to AC Milan . . . AC Milan all the way,' he said. For Kalac — who spent five years at the storied club — he said making kids' faces light up is part of the job. 'Watching everything (AC Milan) do for kids and for charities, it's just a great, great club,' he said. 'For these guys that are professionals to come out, and no one complains about coming out doing all this, they really come out, because of what these kids are going through... they know they need to be there and support them and give them that energy and that inspiration. 'That's part of being a footballer . . . bringing so much joy to people's faces.' Musah, who first visited Perth with the team 18 months ago, said it was great to be back in town with some of WA's toughest little soldiers. 'It's been great coming back . . . it's a country where everyone welcomes us really well, and it's just a beautiful city,' he said. 'It's just nice getting to see how people are going through things in their life, and see how they're recovering and stuff and it's nice to be someone that can inspire them to heal. 'I know that when I was younger, I would have loved the same so it's nice to have that impact now.' Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said he thinks kids like Mathew and Tyler could teach the all-stars a thing or two about strength. 'These guys are some of the best players in the world — champions — and they've taken the time to talk to kids here at the hospital,' he said. 'The courage these kids show, the challenges they face... it's remarkable. They could probably teach these players a thing or two about how to play the game.' Thursday night's match at HBF Park marks AC Milan's second visit to Perth in as many years, after last year's game against Roma drew thousands to Optus Stadium.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Some of world's greatest football players visit kids at PCH
There were hugs, high-fives and heartwarming smiles at Perth Children's Hospital on Monday as some of the world's biggest football stars traded in their boots for an afternoon of signing scarves and sharing stories. Italian football giants AC Milan, back in WA for a blockbuster clash with Perth Glory on Thursday, made a surprise stop at the hospital to lift the spirits of some of the State's bravest young patients. They also paid a visit to Telethon beneficiaries including Radio Lollipop, Starlight Children's Foundation and the Kids Cancer Support Group. Among the high-profile visitors were legendary players Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano. Former AC Milan player Zeljko Kalac, who represented Australia on the international stage for over a decade as a Socceroo, also stopped by. Aspiring soccer player Tyler Stewart, 10, was over the moon after meeting the football stars and told The West Australian he would treasure the moment forever. 'This hand, I'm never going to wash it again . . . because I got all the high-fives on this hand,' he said. 'At first I felt shy, but then I just opened up my shell. I think they're my favourite team now . . . my favourite team before was Manchester City.' Tyler has had 12 surgeries on his legs — with number 13 looming — since being struck by a taxi while on holiday in New York on Christmas day. But he said it is all worth it after meeting the superstars today. Royce White, 11, playing with Matteo Gabbia. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'I can't wait to tell my friends at school,' he said. For 11-year-old Mathew Scojceski — a lifelong AC Milan fan and childhood cancer survivor — the moment was something he'd dreamed of. '(I feel) special, like that I actually got to speak to them one-on-one and meet them in person. They were very cool and friendly, and they made me feel welcomed,' he said after chatting to Terracciano. Mathew, who underwent major spinal surgery in March, didn't hesitate to tip the scoreline for Thursday's match. 'I think it will be three-nil to AC Milan . . . AC Milan all the way,' he said. Mathew Stojceski, 11, with Filippo Terracciano and Zeljko Kalac. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian For Kalac — who spent five years at the storied club — he said making kids' faces light up is part of the job. 'Watching everything (AC Milan) do for kids and for charities, it's just a great, great club,' he said. 'For these guys that are professionals to come out, and no one complains about coming out doing all this, they really come out, because of what these kids are going through... they know they need to be there and support them and give them that energy and that inspiration. 'That's part of being a footballer . . . bringing so much joy to people's faces.' Musah, who first visited Perth with the team 18 months ago, said it was great to be back in town with some of WA's toughest little soldiers. 'It's been great coming back . . . it's a country where everyone welcomes us really well, and it's just a beautiful city,' he said. 'It's just nice getting to see how people are going through things in their life, and see how they're recovering and stuff and it's nice to be someone that can inspire them to heal. 'I know that when I was younger, I would have loved the same so it's nice to have that impact now.' Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said he thinks kids like Mathew and Tyler could teach the all-stars a thing or two about strength. 'These guys are some of the best players in the world — champions — and they've taken the time to talk to kids here at the hospital,' he said. 'The courage these kids show, the challenges they face... it's remarkable. They could probably teach these players a thing or two about how to play the game.' Thursday night's match at HBF Park marks AC Milan's second visit to Perth in as many years, after last year's game against Roma drew thousands to Optus Stadium.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Italian powerhouses return to Perth for pre-season clash
Perth is turning red and black as European soccer giants AC Milan are making their presence felt ahead of their second game in WA in as many years. The Italian powerhouse have landed in WA off the back of two high-profile pre-season clashes with Arsenal and Liverpool in Asia, and will face Perth Glory on Thursday night at HBF Park. It follows on from Milan's previous trip to Perth, which saw them face fellow Italian side AS Roma in front of more than 56,000 people at Optus Stadium last May. The Italians have brought several star names down under, including American ace Christian Pulisic, talismanic Portugese forward Rafael Leao and internationally-capped Englishmen Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. With Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti spruiking Thursday's match against the Glory as a near sell-out, coach Massimiliano Allegri and captain Mike Maignan spoke of their excitement at finishing off their Asia-Pacific tour in style. AC Milan captain Mike Maignan speaks ahead of the game with Perth Glory this Thursday. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Allegri, said he had appreciated the warm reception from fans in WA, who lined the Crown Towers lobby on Sunday night to greet the club upon arrival. 'I'm honored to represent AC Milan for the first time in Western Australia and in Australia generally,' Allegri said via an interpreter. 'I recognise the huge following that AC Milan has across this country, and I'm looking forward to not only the game on Thursday night, but everything that surrounds it.' Maignan, who has established himself as the French international team's no.1 goalkeeper, said through an interpreter he was looking forward to playing the Glory. 'I'm very honoured to lead my team into Perth and Western Australia. I'm very proud of his club, and I'm looking forward to showing not only what Italian football is on the park, but the culture and everything else that's around AC Milan,' he said. Players from the club also visited Perth Children's Hospital on Monday to greet young fans.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Wellington Phoenix overcome lightning strike, penalty shootout for Australia Cup win in Perth
The Wellington Phoenix survived a lightning strike and a dramatic penalty shootout to progress to the last 16 of the Australia Cup. Academy graduate Lukas Kelly-Heald scored the decisive spot kick as the Phoenix beat the Perth Glory 8-7 in the shootout, played in driving rain at the Olympic Stadium
