[m1ke]

(IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/img/forum/logos/italy/seriec1a/1125.png) Cremonese vs Milan (IMG:http://www.milanfan.com/img/forum/logos/italy/seriea/1099.PNG)
Stadio Giovanni Zini - 23/06/08
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[Tennie]

A very chatty press conference today from Carletto. Herewith is my translation of the original on acmilan.com's italian page (apologies in advance for errors in translation and typos, did this very quickly):

Milan is finally ready to take the pitch, even if it's only with a week of preparation in their legs. Some elements of the squad are absent while others aren't ready to play in the first friendly (tomorrow against Cremonese), but Carlo Ancelotti knows he can count on the group that in these days has worked well in training. Here are the subjects covered by the coach in his press conference.

"It's been a regular week of work without major surprises. The only one to pick up a slight knock has been Alessandro Nesta, who should be all right next week. Tomorrow we'll close the first week of training with the friendly against Cremona, where the starting lineup will be: Kalac, Oddo, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli, Brocchi, Flamini, Osuji, Seedorf, Antonini and Inzaghi. On the bench will be: Abbiati, Digao, Gianola, Strasser, Angelilli and Aubameyang. Tomorrow, Maldini won't play, he working separately and Dida is doing well but is also following a separate preventative training program so that last year's physical problems don't repeat themselves.

A moment in the conference was dedicated to comments on the new arrivals: "Flamini is doing well. He's a dynamic player strong and capable of doing well in defense as well as in attack. I consider him a very good buy but not only because of what I've seen in these last days; also because of his performances last year. He's got experience and the right motivations. Ronaldinho, on the other hand, seemed a bit timid, he's just arrived. He's a bit out of condition because of not having played a competitive match in 4 months. Because of this, the Olympics could be good for him in the sense that he'll regain match fitness. He's surely suffered during th elast four months and because of this he's very motivated and wants to show who he still is."

The general situation of the squad was then analyzed, but apart from that there were some questions regarding one of the players whose name is on everyone's lips, Kaka: "All the players are motivated from his arrival and even Kaka can use the situation to improve his performances. Ricky is following standard preparation, he's recovered well from his injury and operation. The voices of the market don't distract him...I see him even more content because being appreciated is a positive signal."

On other subjects, Carlo Ancelotti said: "Borriello returned in advance of some teammates, yes. For him, I think it'll be a very important season to conform the good he did last year. In his two previous adventures here at Milan, perhaps he was undervalued: this time he'll show his quality and will play in place of some other elements. Seedorf I will use, in one of three attacking roles, but it's clear that there may be necessities that could move him to the midfield." Regarding Seedorf and the jersey number and Ronaldinho's choice: "Ronaldinho respected the hierarchy of the new group in which he's entered, as it is natural he should. Certainly for him the issue was also tied to image rights. I was raised in a football in which one was tied to a jersey and not to a number."

On the squad in general: "It's a Milan that's well prepared for the season to come. We're covered in all roles with a good defender having arrived, with an experienced player in the midfield and with a phenomenon in attack. Our philosophy isn't changing. Also for the preparation: there have bene soem modifications and changes related to various exercises in training, but nothing else. We want to play well and put on a show. It won't be easy but the conditions to do it are there. The important thing is to put together the pieces."

Here are the coach's thoughts regarding Inter's preparations: "Yes, Mourinho started with different exercises involving work with the ball. It's a method that could be interesting and that I'd like to learn about. I think that each of us has something new to bring to the world of football. The only thing is that he who coaches can't bring himself up to date if not going to see the methods of others. Some years ago in Geneva there was talk of being able to make some sort of exchange, but it's always difficult to organize that sort of thing."