THANKS A LOT, YOANN
9/15/2006 5:06:00 PM

Yoann Gourcuff demonstrated maturity beyond his 20 years as he answered questions at the afternoon press conference.

Having just turned 20, Yoann Gourcuff approached his first press conference after an impressive performance in the Champions League, like a seasoned professional. The French midfielder was certainly keeping his feet on the ground and here is what he had to say.

I certainly like wearing my number 20 shirt but it's never a quesiton of numbers. It's important to show what you can do on the pitch and I want to thank coach Ancelotti for giving me my debut in the Champions League, in such an important game, it was a risk for him. I am a roaming midifelder and that suits me. Maybe I prefer the centre a bit more.

Was I amazing? I knew it was an important game so I looked to make my mark early on. I scored thanks to a wonderful cross from Kakà. I tried to return the compliment. I enjoy playing along two great players like Seedorf and Kakà.

I was brought up in Brittany, I miss my family a bit, my friends, the sea. Fortunately, I have found Milan fine. I like music, all types not just Celtic music. As for the comparisons with Platini and Zidane, I know Zidane better and apart from the gesture in the World Cup final, he is an example as a player and a man.

The reason I picked Milan was the history, its image throughout Europe. I have a good relationship with Braida, Gallani as well, I knew about Milan which is really some place to visit. I get on well with my team-mates but I keep my feet on the ground here because there are so many great players and I know it will be difficult to get a game. The important thing is to be ready when Ancelotti needs me.

I have to keep training and improve my performances. I pleased when I am spoken about, it encourages me. I thought I would be forgotten about in France but the opposite has happened so that pleases me.

At the end of the press conference, Gourcuff spoke in Italian and said: 'Thanks a lot everyone, I am pleased to be here. I like Milanello and the San Siro.'

Yoann then spoke to Milan Channel.

It was great to run out under the Curva Sud where the Milan were and feel their enthusiasm. I ran to hug Kakà after the goal for providing the cross. I have improved in two months at Milan. It's been a long preparation but now I feel fit.

I have scored in the last three games: two for France Under-21s and the one for Milan in the Champions League. I hope to continue like this, I am definitely not Inzaghi, I can't be as I play in midfield but things have gone well in recent games.


acmilan.com

Gourcuff's star turn


"I could not have dreamt of a better start," beamed an ecstatic Yoann Gourcuff shortly after leaving the San Siro pitch to a standing ovation last week. The 20-year-old Frenchman was a surprise inclusion in AC Milan's opening UEFA Champions League group match against AEK Athens FC, and he seized his opportunity with an exceptional performance. "I only found out I was starting in the morning," he said. "I tried to stay calm and concentrate but it wasn't easy in that atmosphere. When I scored my goal I was full of emotion."

Berlusconi praise
Gourcuff's goal, a firm header from Kaká's right-wing cross, was Milan's second in a 3-0 win, but it was his elegant midfield play more than his scoring exploits that captured the public's imagination. Comparisons with a certain Zinédine Zidane began to flow and according to reports, Gourcuff even received a congratulatory message from Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi at Giannino's restaurant later that night.

'Hunger to succeed'
Quite a baptism for the French Under-21 international who arrived from Stade Rennais FC for €4m in the summer. "Everything has gone really well so far," Gourcuff told uefa.com. "A lot of people questioned my decision to leave France so young but I gave the move a lot of thought and I'm convinced I made the right choice. Milan are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I feel this is the best place for me to progress."

Daunting
Tall and composed in possession, he has an innate ability to read the game and execute telling passes. The part he played in Rennes' 4-1 win away to Olympique Lyonnais last February, scoring once and slicing the champions' defence open almost at will, highlighted his extraordinary talent. Demonstrative on the field, Gourcuff is extremely shy off it and admits the early days at Milan were daunting.

'Different world'
"It's a different world to the one I was used to at Rennes," he said. "In training I'm surrounded by world stars." The warm welcome he received helped him to settle and Gourcuff is also benefiting from coach Carlo Ancelotti's influence. He described the former Italy midfielder as "a coach who is very close to his players. He talks to us a lot and has spoken to me individually on several occasions. I know I can learn a lot from him."

Long-term plans
The Frenchman knows he must sustain his form to remain part of Ancelotti's plans, however. "I want to be at Milan for many years and that means I have to fight for my place constantly and show a lot of patience," he said. "My aim is to play a little bit in my first season, play a bit more regularly in my second season, then be a first choice in my third season. With Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, there are plenty of games so hopefully I'll get my chances."

France return
Gourcuff is particularly keen to be involved in Milan's next UEFA Champions League outing, a Group H trip to LOSC Lille Métropole on Tuesday. "I was delighted when I saw we were grouped with Lille," he smiled. "It's nice to be returning to France so soon. I was worried that people in France might forget about me, but now the French media can talk about me a little bit." If he continues to play like he did against AEK, there is absolutely no chance of him being forgotten.

UEFA.com

Great article!

i like his attitude, and i hope his plan will succeed.

I agree (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/coveroct2006.jpg)

I was just going to post that Marco!

"Gourcuff - Milan's new ZZ" (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/goodheart.gif)

What's ZZ?

I don't know, but I think that might refer to that bald dude who played for France and was specialized in headbutting... Could be wrong...

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) .. ZZ=Zizo

Milan's new ZZ ?? ... last time I checked ZZ had never played for us ... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Gourcuff has a cracked rib... I have a cracked heart... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

That's how much I love this guy... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

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on UEFA.com
Gourcuff out to make amends

Tuesday, 3 October 2006

by Matthew Spiro
from Paris

France's Yoann Gourcuff claims the disappointment of losing to the Netherlands in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finals has made him all the more determined to set the record straight next summer.

'Hard to accept'
Outstanding in the group stage in Portugal this summer, René Girard's side were many people's tip to go all the way before they lost 3-2 to the eventual winners in a thriller. With the next edition of the tournament taking place in the Netherlands in June, Gourcuff admits he is already thinking about revenge. "Playing so well and then losing in the semis was hard to accept," the AC Milan midfielder, 20, told uefa.com. "That defeat has definitely given us extra motivation. We're all determined to qualify for the Netherlands next summer and hopefully do even better this time."

'A positive start'
Les Espoirs have started their latest qualification campaign in impressive fashion, winning 3-1 away to Scotland and beating Slovenia 2-0 in France to set up a play-off against Israel. "We've made a positive start but the road is still long," warned the in-form Gourcuff, who was on target in both games. "Don't forget, the group has changed a lot since the summer. Players like Rio Antonio Mavuba, Jérémy Toulalan and Julien Faubert have been called up to the senior squad. New players have had to come in and we're a younger side now."

Benzema call-up
One of the additions is Olympique Lyonnais prodigy Karim Benzema, aged just 18. The burly striker has already enjoyed success at junior international level, notably helping the France win the 2004 UEFA European U17 Championship, and is delighted to be part of Girard's plans. "Moving up to the Under-21s shows that my progress is being recognised at international level," he told uefa.com. "Representing France is very important to me and I'll do everything I can to stay with the squad and help them qualify for the European Championship."

Higher standard
Still acclimatising after stepping up from the U19s, Benzema was replaced after just 32 minutes against Slovenia. He said: "Overall the standard is much higher. The games are quicker and the players are physically stronger because they've fully matured.

'More pressure'
Given that this year's qualification campaign consists of just four matches, Benzema knows he must adapt quickly. "We can't afford to make any mistakes," he said. "We know that one defeat could spell the end of our qualification hopes so there's more pressure than there would usually be." Les Bleuets take on Israel in Caen on Saturday, before travelling to Hertzeliya for the return leg four days after that.


UEFA
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maybe he can play against inter? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)