By Rob Carragher Last updated: 3rd January 2009
Beckham: Impressing in Italy
AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the impression that David Beckham has made during his first weeks with the Italian outfit.
Beckham is currently on loan with the footballing giants in a short-term deal from LA Galaxy, as the winger looks to aid his fitness and work his way back into the England fold.
The 33-year-old had been expected to ease his way slowly into the AC Milan side, but, after witnessing his ability in practice sessions, Ancelotti is keen to put the former Manchester United star into action as soon as possible.
"He is impeccable in training," Ancelotti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We're working hard and even though he was out of action for two months before coming to us, he's withstood all our tests and his condition is good.
"He's lacking a bit of strength but that's normal considering his long break."
A friendly has been set up to give Beckham his debut and keep the Milan stars in shape, and with the recommencement of the Italian league on the horizon, Beckham could yet go straight into the squad for the crunch tie with Roma next weekend.
"He'll play in the friendly against Hamburg," confirmed Ancelotti.
"He's ready for the game against Roma, so why shouldn't he play?
"It's true that he hasn't played for a while but he's working very hard and he's really making a great impression on me."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 17:00 | Bologna vs Inter Milan |
| 19:45 | Fiorentina vs Parma |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | AC Milan vs Cagliari |
| 14:00 | Livorno vs Genoa |
| 14:00 | Napoli vs Lazio |
| 14:00 | Palermo vs Catania |
| 14:00 | Roma vs Bari |
| 14:00 | Sampdoria vs Chievo |
| 14:00 | Siena vs Atalanta |
| 19:45 | Juventus vs Udinese |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 17:00 | Udinese vs Livorno |
| 19:45 | Genoa vs Sampdoria |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| 14:00 | Atalanta vs Roma |
| 14:00 | Bari vs Siena |
| 14:00 | Cagliari vs Juventus |
| 14:00 | Chievo vs Palermo |
| 14:00 | Inter Milan vs Fiorentina |
| 14:00 | Lazio vs Bologna |
| 14:00 | Parma vs Napoli |
| 19:45 | Catania vs AC Milan |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Inter Milan 1 - 1 Roma | |
| Udinese 0 - 1 Fiorentina | |
| Parma 2 - 0 Chievo | |
| Lazio 1 - 2 AC Milan | |
| Genoa 4 - 2 Siena | |
| Cagliari 2 - 0 Sampdoria | |
| Bologna 3 - 1 Palermo | |
| Bari 1 - 0 Livorno | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Atalanta 2 - 5 Juventus | |
| Catania 0 - 0 Napoli | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| Palermo 0 - 0 Genoa | |
| Siena 1 - 1 Lazio | |
| Sampdoria 0 - 0 Bari | |
| Roma 2 - 1 Bologna | |
| Livorno 0 - 2 Inter Milan | |
| Fiorentina 3 - 1 Catania | |
| Chievo 1 - 1 Udinese | |
| Cagliari 3 - 0 Atalanta | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Italy Serie A | |
| AC Milan 2 - 0 Parma | |
| Juventus 2 - 3 Napoli | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Milan | 11 | 28 |
| 2 | Juventus | 12 | 24 |
| 3 | Sampdoria | 11 | 21 |
| 4 | AC Milan | 11 | 19 |
| 5 | Fiorentina | 11 | 18 |
| 6 | Napoli | 12 | 18 |
| 7 | Genoa | 11 | 17 |
| 8 | Parma | 11 | 17 |
| 9 | Cagliari | 11 | 16 |
| 10 | Palermo | 11 | 16 |
| 11 | Bari | 11 | 15 |
| 12 | Chievo | 11 | 15 |
| 13 | Udinese | 11 | 15 |
| 14 | Roma | 11 | 14 |
| 15 | Lazio | 11 | 11 |
| 16 | Bologna | 11 | 9 |
| 17 | Livorno | 11 | 9 |
| 18 | Atalanta | 12 | 9 |
| 19 | Catania | 12 | 8 |
| 20 | Siena | 11 | 6 |
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Inter were held at home, AC Milan climbed up to third as Sampdoria lost at Cagliari and Fiorentina beat Udinese.
AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani insists owner Silvio Berlusconi is not looking to sell the club.
Milan have signed Ghana Under-20 star Dominic Adiyiah from Norwegian club Fredrikstad.
Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena says he is looking to leave Anfield in January and return to Italy.
Juventus smashed five past Atalanta to strengthen their hold on second place, while Catania held Napoli.