AC Milan owner gives up on Serie A title

Soccer Betting Lines

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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JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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